Samantha Module and Field Control System

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