Communicating with Feeder

[nighterfighter]

Originally Posted by Trent B

A little more looking into it it appears as long as you don't exceed the breakdown voltage (which is the voltage you have to reach before you can start to conduct in reverse, it shouldn't get damaged. Something to dig out the spec sheets for.

Yup.

This website has some useful info...

Of particular interest might be the "Tri-Color" LED section...

http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/led.htm

[ChristopherBuck]

Originally Posted by Tanis

I will personally bake cookies for any team that utilizes semaphore to communicate with their feeder.

For those of you unfamiliar with semaphore, I would recommend checking out Monty Python's semaphore Wuthering Heights.

Well, the Analyst would have a set of free hands...

EDIT: <T25> seems to prohibit flags for this purpose, but maybe they could just do the signals without the flags?
EDIT2: <T26> seems to indicate flags or similar devices would be allowed, depending on the interpretation of said devices not communicating with anything or anyone outside of the arena

[The Lucas]

I like the idea of robot LEDs to indicate which tube you need. You could even use a FIRST Logo sticker and insert the colored LEDs into the logo.

Before suggesting ways to communicate between the Alliance Station and the Feeder Station, please read Section 5.5.7 Special Equipment Rules of the Manual It is one of those sections that people rarely read and then they have to be told not to wear Bluetooth headsets in the Arena.

[Trent B]

The bi-color ones intrigued me however they are a few bucks a piece on digikey compared to tri-color being about a buck a piece.

A consideration with the tri-colour is how the fact you have the common cathode that would somehow have to switch sides if you wanted to run it off a spike switching direction.

Additionally blue and red LEDs run at different voltages so you have to factor in resistors and how to potentially run it off a single spike. The nice part about two sets using the diode breakdown voltage is you can use a single spike and a little breadboard rather than potentially two spikes.

I suppose you could hook up one color to the positive on the spike, one to the negative and the cathode to the negative on the power distribution board.(provided there isn't a rule against this, because it wouldn't be protected by a circuit breaker as those are only on the red blocks) You could also have it merge in with the spikes negative which may violate rule R43) below.

Originally Posted by R43

Custom circuits shall NOT directly alter the power pathways between the battery, PD Board, speed controllers, relays, motors, or other elements of the robot control system (including the power pathways to other sensors or circuits). Custom high impedance voltage monitoring or low impedance current monitoring connected to the ROBOT'S electrical system is acceptable, because the effect on the ROBOT outputs should be inconsequential.

[davidthefat]

Use a laptop to flash the color fullscreen

[nighterfighter]

Originally Posted by davidthefat

Use a laptop to flash the color fullscreen

Yes. This seems to be the most effective way.

...And when it isn't flashing full-screen color, it shows random pictures of funny kittens to distract the other team!

[HumblePie]

Holy cannoli, keep it simple folks! The analyst has 2 free hands, 2 simple sets of red/white/blue cards or a 3-sided color-coded signalling post will allow communication with both Feeders. Don't we have TWO robots to build?

[smistthegreat]

Another idea for a low tech system, just a simple poster that the analyst would hold up signaling which shape and which side to load on, similar to the play calling cards that Oregon uses in NCAA football like this: http://media.spokesman.com/photos/20...52 f96b62dbc7

[MagiChau]

I would say using LEDs are the best option. Seems like a lower chance of getting the desired game piece wrong.

[bassoondude]

Another low tech option would be to have the analyst hold up their right arm for one color, left for another, and both for the third. the exact colors can be decided before a match

[Kevin Sevcik]

One thing to consider when making a decision on this is that you don't know what feeder you're actually going to be talking to. Even if you have a teammate as a feeder, you might need to bail on his side of the field and go for the other side. I think you really should assume you're always communicating with a complete stranger, that you MAY have talked with before a match.

Also, how, exactly, are you going to accurately direct your communication at a particular feeder? If they both have robots incoming, how are you going to communicate with both simultaneously? And will they see you behind a plexi wall and a rack full of logos? And do you want them to be concentrating on your signalperson across the field, or the incoming robot?

Just a few things to think about before you settle on LEDs or other robot based signaling methods.

[StevenB]

Originally Posted by HumblePie

Holy cannoli, keep it simple folks! The analyst has 2 free hands, 2 simple sets of red/white/blue cards or a 3-sided color-coded signalling post will allow communication with both Feeders.

Originally Posted by smistthegreat

... just a simple poster that the analyst would hold up signaling which shape and which side to load on, similar to the play calling cards that Oregon uses in NCAA football...

It's been said more than a few times, but READ THE MANUAL!
In this case, see

Originally Posted by The All-revealing FRC Game Manual

<T25> The only equipment that may be brought on to the ARENA is the OPERATOR CONSOLE,
reasonable decorative items, and special clothing and/or equipment required due to a
disability. Other items, particularly those intended to provide a competitive advantage for
the TEAM, are prohibited.

Signaling items are definitely illegal.

[BrendanB]

Light up your robot either blue, red, or white. One thing I have learned from watching drivers and being on the drive team: you all will be looking at the robot and not each other most of the time so use the robot as the messenger. It will also make dealing with HP's from other teams a whole lot easier since you are never guaranteed your human player will be putting tubes in or always be going to one side of the field.

[ChristopherBuck]

Originally Posted by StevenB

It's It's been said more than a few times, but READ THE MANUAL!
In this case, see

Signaling items are definitely illegal.

Ah, it may seem so, but read on.
I believe the legality of signaling cards, flags, paper, etc. depends upon the interpretation of <T26>

Originally Posted by T26

Devices used solely for the purpose of tracking strategy of hame play are allowed inside the ALLIANCE STATION, if they meet ALL of the following conditions:

• Do not connect to the OPERATOR CONSOLE
• Do not connect to or attach to the FIELD or ARENA
• Do not connect to or attach to another ALLIANCE member
• Do not communicate with anything or anyone outside the ARENA.
• Do no include any form of enabled wireless electronic communication (e.g. radios, walkie-talkies, cell phones, Bluetooth communications, WiFi, etc.)
• Do not in any way affect the outcome of a MATCH, other than by allowing TEAM members to plan or track strategy for the purposes of communication of that strategy to other ALLIANCE members.

[nitneylion452]

Based on T26, it seems legal to bring a signaling device to the driver's station.