Programming the Old Controller

[Brent Strysko]

Hey Guys,

So Team 1672 is doing an off season project where we are building an arena to do battle vex robots in. We want to use electronics that control relays for lights. Anyway that part is easy. The problem we are having is using the old controller from around 2005/2006 and Kevins Serial Port Code( http://www.kevin.org/frc/ at the bottom of the page) we keep on getting a code error. Have any of you used this code before. If not how could we interface a computer serial port to our controller / OI for data communication.

Thanks

[EricH]

Question 1: What version of the compiler, etc., are you running?

Question 2: What is the code error?

A number of people have used the code before, quite successfully.

I would also try contacting the following CD member for assistance (if he doesn't see this thread before someone gets to him):
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/member.php?u=1028

[Jetweb]

i have also used the code with no problems in the past, some more info would be helpful so someone can help you solve your problem.

[Joe Ross]

It's important to know if it is a 2005 or a 2006 controller, they have different microprocessors.

If it is a 2005 controller, read the file called Using_Last_Years_FRC included in the zip file.

Eric's question about the compiler version is very relevant, also.

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by Brent Strysko

Hey Guys,

So Team 1672 is doing an off season project where we are building an arena to do battle vex robots in. We want to use electronics that control relays for lights. Anyway that part is easy. The problem we are having is using the old controller from around 2005/2006 and Kevins Serial Port Code( http://www.kevin.org/frc/ at the bottom of the page) we keep on getting a code error. Have any of you used this code before. If not how could we interface a computer serial port to our controller / OI for data communication.

Thanks

As others mentioned, we'll need more information to help you out. My code builds just fine with the latest (3.35) compiler.

-Kevin

[Brent Strysko]

Thanks everyone who has responded so far. Okay well our team is currently working on reorganizing our closet so I am not sure what year the controller is, however I did open it up and see it was a PIC18F8520. So would this mean I have to use the code in the "old directory". That would explain it. I only knew there was an error because the code error LED on the controller would turn on and off.
So interfacing from PORT1 on the OI does not require any special cables besides a standard serial cable?

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by Brent Strysko

So would this mean I have to use the code in the "old directory".

You should be able to to use this code without any problems:

http://kevin.org/frc/ifi_frc_simple.zip

Make sure you use the '8520 linker script and library. I would suggest using the latest release of C18 too.

Originally Posted by Brent Strysko

So interfacing from PORT1 on the OI does not require any special cables besides a standard serial cable?

Yep, that simple. If you're looking for example code that shows how to interface with a user at a termainal and with a computer, have a look at the 2007 CMUcam software:

http://kevin.org/frc/2007/frc_camera_2.zip

-Kevin

[davidthefat]

Originally Posted by Kevin Watson

You should be able to to use this code without any problems:

http://kevin.org/frc/ifi_frc_simple.zip

Make sure you use the '8520 linker script and library. I would suggest using the latest release of C18 too.

Yep, that simple. If you're looking for example code that shows how to interface with a user at a termainal and with a computer, have a look at the 2007 CMUcam software:

http://kevin.org/frc/2007/frc_camera_2.zip

-Kevin

I just realized, you are the kevin from kevin.org... LOL

[Kevin Watson]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

I just realized, you are the kevin from kevin.org... LOL

I hope so. If I were the Kevin from kevin.com, I'd be a lawyer in Arizona and probably wouldn't want to hang out here with people who have made better life choices <grin>.

-Kevin