Programming Problem

[darthfroggy]

Hey Guys....
I'm new to the programming aspect of FIRST and had some quick questions. We're trying to hook up a robot from past years to the old control boards. Can I tether a robot from 2006 to a control board from 05? Is the code stored on the robot or is it on the control board. Any advice as to how to get past years bots running will be helpful. Thanks A lot in advance
---Elmo
-Team 1525 WarBots!

[EricH]

Originally Posted by darthfroggy

Hey Guys....
I'm new to the programming aspect of FIRST and had some quick questions. We're trying to hook up a robot from past years to the old control boards. Can I tether a robot from 2006 to a control board from 05? Is the code stored on the robot or is it on the control board. Any advice as to how to get past years bots running will be helpful. Thanks A lot in advance
---Elmo
-Team 1525 WarBots!

The code is stored on the Robot Controller. As far as I know, it is possible to tether an '06 RC to an '05 Operator Interface. They aren't that different--I think it's mainly memory space on the RC.

[Kevin Sevcik]

As Eric said, the 2005 Operator interface is compatible with the 2006 Robot Controller, and the code is stored in the Robot Controller. The latter fact probably won't be of much use to you, however, as the code is only stored in compiled form. You can use a special tool to extract it from the robot for back up purposes, but you won't be able to read or edit it unless you're keen on working in PIC assembly or running it through a decompiler and trying to make sense of it. If your team doesn't have the source code for the old robot, your only option is to start from scratch with the 2006 default code.

[Roger]

Just to be clear, tethering should be okay. I didn't deal directly with the 05 robot, but as I recall we were using the 05 robot as a test robot in 06 and maybe 07. But if you are using the radios, there were some changes, but I think it was between 07 and 08? Also, with the radios, the robot and controller need to have the same number frequency, which tethering will help set.

Don't hit the "prog" button on the robot controller -- that clears the program!

If you lose the code, or want to try new stuff, Kevin.org is still around, with codes going way back in time. (Not the Kevin above.) His "example" codes are complete, but you'll have to use MP-Lab to compile them. His basic codes have simple joystick driving available, but obviously anything else you'll have to write for.

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Roger

Just to be clear, tethering should be okay. I didn't deal directly with the 05 robot, but as I recall we were using the 05 robot as a test robot in 06 and maybe 07. But if you are using the radios, there were some changes, but I think it was between 07 and 08? Also, with the radios, the robot and controller need to have the same number frequency, which tethering will help set.

I think you're right as to radio change. If not, it was between '06 and '07. Either way, for an '06/'05 interface, it doesn't matter. Just make sure you have the right radio on the right end!