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Samantha Module and Field Control System

Samantha Module and Field Control System. Dave Hackett FTC Mentor Valley Forge, PA. Agenda. Overview Configure Field Control System Configure Samantha Module Prepare NXT Field Control System Software Additional Information. Agenda. Overview Configure Field Control System

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Samantha Module and Field Control System

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  1. SamanthaModule and Field Control System Dave Hackett FTC Mentor Valley Forge, PA

  2. Agenda • Overview • Configure Field Control System • Configure Samantha Module • Prepare NXT • Field Control System Software • Additional Information

  3. Agenda • Overview • Configure Field Control System • Configure Samantha Module • Prepare NXT • Field Control System Software • Additional Information

  4. Samantha Components • Samantha Module • A Wi-Fi device that allows a team to control its robot remotely • Attaches to NXT using USB cable • Receives commands from game controllers connected to the Field Control System • Samantha Field Control System (FCS) • Software and hardware setup that allows FTC robots to engage in competition • Consists of: • Laptop w/Samantha FCS Software • Wi-Fi router • USB cables and hubs • Logitech Game Controllers • External monitor for timer display

  5. FCS Configuration Overview • Configure Samantha Field Control System software and hardware • Download and install FCS software • Connect and configure FCS router • Connect remaining hardware to laptop • Configure Samantha module • Prepare FCS flash drive with network configuration and firmware • Flash Samantha module • Prepare NXT • Name, Tele-Op program, required programs • Run FCS software • Connect robot via Samantha module • Resources • Read: FCS User's Guide for teams • Watch: FTC Video Tutorial - Setting Up the Field Control System

  6. Agenda • Overview • Configure Field Control System • Configure Samantha Module • Prepare NXT • Field Control System Software • Additional Information

  7. FCS Software • Download latest Samantha Field Control System software • http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/fcs • Install it on the FCS Laptop

  8. FCS Router • Connect an Ethernet cable between router Port 1 and FCS laptop • Manually configure the router • DHCP enabled • Network Mode: Wireless B Only • SSID: <e.g., FTC_FIELD> • Channel: choose quietest channel • inSSIDer • http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider • Wireless Security • Security Mode: WPA2 Personal • Passphrase: <a strong password – remember for later use> • Resources • Read: Router Configuration Guide for Teams

  9. Agenda • Overview • Configure Field Control System • Configure Samantha Module • Prepare NXT • Field Control System Software • Additional Information

  10. Configure Wi-Fi Settings • Required • USB flash drive • 2 GB maximum (FAT file system) • Network information • SSID (same as on FCS router) • Network Authentication: WPA2-PSK • Encryption: AES • Network Key (same as on FCS router) • Samantha Competition Network Config • “FTC_FIELD” Wireless Network Settings • Settings in FTCNTKY folder on flash drive • SamoCfg.exe /Primary • Samantha Network Config • “FTC_PIT” Wireless Network Settings • Settings in SMRTNTKY folder on flash drive • SamoCfg.exe

  11. Samantha Firmware • Samantha Firmware • Samantha.hex • C:\Program Files (x86)\Samantha Field Control System\Samantha • Use version that came with FCS • Copy Samantha.hex to FCS flash drive

  12. Flash Samantha Module • Flash the Samantha module with firmware and network settings • Power off Samantha module • Remove USB cable from Samantha module • Insert FCS flash drive • Press and hold red button • Power on the Samantha module • Wait for Red LED, then release button • Wait for LED sequence Red, White, Blue, White, Red to occur twice • One sequence is for firmware • The other is for network information • Wait for Red LED • Power off Samantha module • Remove flash drive • Reconnect the USB cable • Power on Samantha module • White LED illuminates when your network recognized • Resources • Watch: FTC Video Tutorial - How to update Samantha's Firmware • Wait for LED sequence Red, White, Blue, White, Red to occur twice

  13. Agenda • Overview • Configure Field Control System • Configure Samantha Module • Prepare NXT • Field Control System Software • Additional Information

  14. Prepare NXT • Name your NXT • Use your FTC Team number • Append hyphen and letter on additional NXTs (e.g. 0010-A, 0010-B) • Install programs required at Tournaments • Program Chooser • Samostat • Define the default Tele-op program • FTCConfig.txt • Configuration file on NXT • Used by FCS to start the named program at the beginning of the Tele-op period • Setting • Run Program Chooser • Define within programming environment • Help the FCS Operator and the FTA help you! • Use meaningful names for autonomous and Tele-op programs

  15. Agenda • Overview • Configure Field Control System • Configure Samantha Module • Prepare NXT • Field Control System Software • Additional Information

  16. Start Samantha FCS Software • Start Samantha Field Control System software • Assign Controllers window opens first • Connect USB Logitech controllers to corresponding team and position • Red 1/Driver 1, Red 1/Driver 2, Red 2/Driver 1, etc. • “Rescan” will search for new Logitech controllers • “Reset All” will clear all assigned Logitech controllers

  17. Select Teams • Choose button shows list of available robots • The first time Samantha module is connected to FCS, press Red button on Samantha module to pair • Additional Red, Yellow, Green messages indicate • Batteries strength • Autonomous program status • Tele-op program status • Various connection statuses • Resources • Read: http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/docs/Samantha_FCS_Readme/Samantha_FCS_Readme.html

  18. Agenda • Overview • Configure Field Control System • Configure Samantha Module • Prepare NXT • Field Control System Software • Additional Information

  19. Program Chooser • Creates a configuration file (FTCConfig.txt) on NXT that tells the FCS the program to start at the beginning of the Tele-op period • Required to be installed on NXT at Tournaments • Compile and install on NXT • RobotC • No longer installed by default • Sample Programs> Try Me Program Source\Program Chooser.c • LabVIEW • FTC 2012-2013 Toolkit

  20. Samostat • Wi-Fi status and network verification • Required to be installed on NXT at Tournaments • Samantha FCS folder • RobotC: samostat.c • LabVIEW: samostat.vi • Also in RobotC Sample Programs • Displays • Firmware version • IP address of Samantha • Connection counters • Detected Wi-Fi networks • Left most character • blank: not connected to network • asterisk (*): connected to network • Second left most character • blank: infrastructure network • ampersand (@): ad hoc network

  21. Mounting Best Practices • Mount Samantha module as high as possible • Do not bury Samantha module behind a mass of metal • Use as short a USB cable as possible, usually 12” • Ensure good strain relief for USB cable • The ½” gear hub the right size is a good choice to use as a spacer • Samantha Mounting Best Practices Report • Mounting Samantha module laterally results in the best overall signal strength

  22. Power Connections • Robot Power Management Using Anderson Powerpole® Connectors • http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FTC/FTC_Documents/Anderson-Powerpole-Guide.pdf • Thanks to Purple Gears / FTC Team 2901 • Wire directly to switch and battery • Samantha Mounting Best Practices Check for an expanded female connector

  23. Samantha Light Codes • The LEDs are: • The Red LED used as an indicator for the power connection • The White LED used as an indicator for the Wi-Fi connection • The Blue LED used as an indicator for the NXT connection • Status Monitoring and Troubleshooting • The LEDs are also used for status monitoring and troubleshooting • The LEDs 'blink' individually or in sequences or patterns that signify the conditions of operation or faults • Resources • Read: • Watch: FTC Video Tutorial - Samantha Troubleshooting http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/docs/Samantha_Module_Readme/Samantha_Module_Readme.html

  24. SAMANTHA Debug Log • Stores communications between the FCS and Samantha modules • Automatically created • My Documents\Samantha FCS\Debug Log • New log file each time FCS started

  25. Samantha Information Web Page • Connect to Samantha module via web browser • On FCS, press Details button then click on IP Address • May assist with troubleshooting issues (FCS vs. NXT) Details Button Details Window Web Page Information

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