VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com VEX Robotics, Inc.
VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com Page 2 Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. VEX Field Control System Overview..................................................................................... 2 Software Installation ............................................................................................................... 2 Equipment Setup – VEXnet only Configuration ....................................................................
VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com Page 3 3. Equipment Setup – VEXnet only Configuration Connect the Field Control equipment per the attached block diagram. Maximum connections to the VEX Driver Interface Board are shown, not all need to be used. After the VEX Match Controller Board is attached to the PC you may open the VEX Field Control Software. Connect the VEX Driver Interface Boards to the Match Controller Board using Ethernet cables.
VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com Page 4 4. Equipment Setup – 75MHz VEX only Configuration Connect the Field Control equipment per the attached block diagram. Maximum connections to the VEX Driver Interface Board are shown, not all need to be used. After the VEX Match Controller Board is attached to the PC you may open the VEX Field Control Software. Connect the VEX Driver Interface Boards to the Match Controller Board using Ethernet cables.
VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com Page 5 5. Equipment Setup – combined VEXnet and 75 MHz VEX Configuration Connect the Field Control equipment per the attached block diagram. Maximum connections to the VEX Driver Interface Board are shown, not all need to be used. After the VEX Match Controller Board is attached to the PC you may open the VEX Field Control Software. Connect the VEX Driver Interface Boards to the Match Controller Board using Ethernet cables.
VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com Page 6 6. VEX Field Control Software Operation Open the VEX Field Control Software. If required, change the Autonomous Period and Operator Control Period (time in seconds) to match the game requirements. Press “START” to start the match. The next screen shot shows a match that has finished the Autonomous Period and is ready to continue with Operator (driver) Control Period. Press “RESUME” to continue the match.
VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com Page 7 7. Theory of Operation The VEX Field Control System typically sequences through the game in five states; Disabled, Autonomous Period, Disabled (for autonomous scoring), Driver Control Period, and Disabled (end of match). The 75 MHz VEX robots must have a special software template to allow for this sequencing.
VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com Page 8 8. Normal Operation Verify all robots are TURNED OFF. Verify all transmitters are TURNED OFF. Connect the VEX transmitters to the Driver Interface Boards with the provided cables. Verify the VEX Field Control Software Timer is not running, or click STOP to turn OFF the timer. TURN ON all robots. Place them in the starting position and configuration. TURN ON all transmitters.
VEX Field Control System User Guide 11.13.2013 Rev B www.vexrobotics.com Page 9 9. Debugging – General Verify that the transmitter and robot batteries are fully charged. Close the VEX Field Control Software and reopen it if you have disconnected/reconnected the USB cable or if you started the software before connecting the VEX Match Controller Board to the PC. Make sure that no interfering tasks are running, such as the VEX Tournament Manager Software. 10.
