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cRIO Training Agenda

December 13, 2008
Holtzendorf Hall, Room B-03
Clemson University

8:00: Setup/Check-in:

9:00: Start - we're just gonna jump straight into it.

  • Start with Labview - it helps folks visualize how the system works We'll then do some teleoperated functions (this won't take long) The last part of the morning will be spent on C/C++(this is easier once you have the basic flow of how things work)
  • Our goal will be a fully functional Overdrive style Autonomous by mid morning.

12:00: Lunch On your Own

1:00: We'll break up in to groups depending on what folks want to do:

- Wire up their controllers
- Install tools
- C/C++ Group
- Labview Group
- Finish up with a list of resources, maybe a few more demos.
  • Sometime during the afternoon we would like to do an NXT demo to show teams how they can practice this without a cRIO.

"Notes from Rick"

  1. Control System Cost: Each team will be allowed to purchase 1 additional cRIO per year for $750. Additional units can be purchased for $1495.
  2. Pre-Ship Systems are shipping at a rate of 150 per day right now. They are pre-shipping over 1200 units!!!!
  3. Getting Started.....Notes from
    I can't stress this enough - this is a HUGE undertaking. Take your time. It took us 2 hrs to wire it and go through the Bench Test - and we had already done it before! Plan on a very long afternoon ... Take your time ...
    Here are the steps:
    1. Download the manuals from http://www.usfirst.org/community/frc/content.aspx?id=10934
    2. Chapter 2 is your starting point. Follow the directions step by step. They will send you off to other chapters (to get things configured and setup). Keep coming back to Chapter 2. Take your time. Breath. In. Out. In. Out ....
    3. Get OTB Bench Test working first BEFORE doing any software installs or updates.
  4. Resources
    1. Contact ME (Rick Folea: rfolea@bellsouth.net) if you have any questions. I'm not an expert, but can usually point you in the right direction.
    2. FRC Control System Forums - VERY helpful: http://forums.usfirst.org/forumdisplay.phpf=743
    3. www.ni.com (I think there is a FRC specific link, but I don't have that at my finger tips right now)
    4. The MANUALS. I know - that's hard to swallow. But when all else fails ...
  5. Pictures
    Pictures of our first crude attempt are here:

Note: NI recommends mounting the cRIO on it's SIDE so things don't fall into the slots and short stuff out.