Regarding The cRio

[biojae]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

If I have an ethernet port on the microcontroller (not a 2nd cRio) where would the camera plug in if the 2nd port is used up? Not using it on the microcontroller, its too much for it

According to this Q&A post : http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=14423

"<R68> Says the Ethernet bus connected to Port 2 of the cRIO-FRC may be used.

Does this mean that a network switch may be used to communicate between devices on the bus as long as the command signals originate from the cRIO-FRC?"

Yes.

Now keep in mind that rules change from year to year, these are only this year's.

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by biojae

According to this Q&A post : http://forums.usfirst.org/showthread.php?t=14423



Now keep in mind that rules change from year to year, these are only this year's.

A network switch! Never thought of that

[virtuald]

If I recall correctly theres a rule somewhere restricting the amount you can spend on a single electronic components. I think it was $400, so that excludes the cRio (which you can get one at a discount from NI for something like $1500 I think).

[Radical Pi]

I don't think you can count an extra cRIO as KOP component. Also, would the cost be considered 750 or 1400 dollars (the offseason rate vs full)

[davidthefat]

http://zone.ni.com/wv/app/doc/p/id/wv-1291/nextonly/y

[davidthefat]

http://www.robotshop.com/roboard-rb-...omputer-2.html

this sounds like a better investment: its cheaper (way cheaper) and its C++

[Fletch1373]

Just putting this out there, I've been an inspector at 3 regionals(WPI, Boston, and CT) and the inspection checklist has always included this line:

Controller – 1 cRIO must be used on the robot and it must be the only device connected to the 37-pin Digital Sidecar ports and the 25-pin ports on the Solenoid and Analog Breakout(s) used on the robot <R56>

The way I read that is that you can't use more than 1(even if cost wasn't an issue). So as an inspector, without seeing an update or Q&A post specifically allowing it, I would say no to that idea.

-Eric

[biojae]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

http://www.robotshop.com/roboard-rb-...omputer-2.html

this sounds like a better investment: its cheaper (way cheaper) and its C++

Though the little battery may have to go (even though its current output is inconsequential)

rule <R01> and <r40>

<R40> The only legal primary source of electrical energy on the ROBOT during the competition is one MK ES17-12 12VDC non-spillable lead acid battery, OR one EnerSys NP 18-12 battery, as provided in the 2010 KOP. Teams may use other equivalent 12V batteries during development, testing and practice MATCHES. However, during competition MATCHES only one MK ES17-12 battery OR one EnerSys NP 18-12 battery can be used on the ROBOT.

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/203964

I am assuming that is the cRio that we get...

It's similar to what we get, but not the same. Here's what we get: http://sine.ni.com/nips/cds/view/p/lang/en/nid/206678

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by biojae

Though the little battery may have to go (even though its current output is inconsequential)

rule <R01> and <r40>

"• Power input range of 6V to 24VDC"

But the battery is a 12v, so it would work

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

http://www.robotshop.com/roboard-rb-...omputer-2.html

this sounds like a better investment: its cheaper (way cheaper) and its C++

Has a battery, not legal. Extra Crio costs too much. Whats wrong with the Gumstix and Beagleboard proposed on the other thread?

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

Has a battery, not legal. Extra Crio costs too much. Whats wrong with the Gumstix and Beagleboard proposed on the other thread?

Never really looked into it


edit: you can always get teh battery plug thing at radio shack and rig it up to the power distribution board


Looked into the beagle, I like it, but its purpose is too general, the other link has robotics in mind, so it has pwm out puts and stuff, but this does not. Will ahve a meeting with Mentors, Programmers and electronics

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

Never really looked into it


edit: you can always get teh battery plug thing at radio shack and rig it up to the power distribution board

If it has a battery then it need/wants power while there is no power on the PD board. It is probably a BIOS battery so you probably need it to boot.

As I suggested on the other thread read about the Adam Bots CoProcessor. Although it is geared for the 2007 IFI system, it should give you an appreciation for the task of developing a coprocessor and some info on using Gumstix form a team that has done it before.

Originally Posted by davidthefat

Looked into the beagle, I like it, but its purpose is too general, the other link has robotics in mind, so it has pwm out puts and stuff, but this does not. Will ahve a meeting with Mentors, Programmers and electronics

You cant legally use a coprocessor to control anything directly <R03>. The Crio still has to set all outputs to speed controllers etc... You can use the coprocessor to communicate with the Crio via Ethernet Port 2, RS 232, SPI, CAN etc... Please read the manual particularly the robot section before buying anything. Unlike the battery and the cost accounting issues, <R03> no custom circuit (coprocessor) affecting outputs is a straightforward basic rule that should have known if you read the manual.

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by The Lucas

If it has a battery then it need/wants power while there is no power on the PD board. It is probably a BIOS battery so you probaly need it to boot.

As I suggested on the other thread read about the Adam Bots CoProcessor. Although it is geared for the 2007 IFI system, it should give you an appreciation for the task of developing a coprocessor and some info on using Gumstix form a team that has done it before.

The judges don't have to find out about the BIOS battery, they probably won't care...

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

The judges don't have to find out about the BIOS battery, they probably won't care...

No.