Programming instructions

Reference
Project Lead The Way © and Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy © / For use with VEX
®
Robotics Systems
Glossary • 7
Glossary continued
Output: Something which the controller sends. An output is typically power sent to a motor. An output may also refer to the
motor itself, or to sensor values that are displayed or collected in a le.
Peak: The “top” of a wave on a graph. The point of greatest disturbance
from the “rest” state in one direction. See also “trough”.
Percent Error: The percentage that the measured value differs from the
calculated value, which can be determined by the formula (calculated
value – measured value)/calculated value x 100%
Perpendicular: Intersecting at a 90 degree angle.
PERT Chart: An acronym standing for Program Evaluation and Review
Technique, it is a method for analyzing the tasks involved in completing
a given project in order to identify the minimum time needed to complete
the total project.
Point Turn: A turn where one wheel rotates forward and the other rotates backward, causing the robot to sit and spin in
place. Also called a “skid turn” in general robotics.
Ports: The designated areas for connecting sensors and/or motors to the controller. A wire of appropriate length should be
used to connect the controller with each sensor or motor device.
Problem Context: The overall dimensions of the problem, which include exactly what the problem consists of, what
person or group wants the problem solved, what places, situations or people the solution has to function in or with, what
commercial markets, if any, the solution will be marketed in, and what previous efforts have been made to solve the
problem.
Project: A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service. A project is typically worked
on by a project team, for a particular customer, client or sponsor who funds it, and has certain goals, a schedule and a
budget.
Project Management: The process of managing a project. Good project management includes breaking down the project
work into tasks, assigning responsibilities for them to team members, ensuring that adequate communication takes place
both within the team and between the team and any other groups or people involved, scheduling the tasks to ensure the
project meets its deadline(s), and budgeting resources in such a way that all necessary work can occur before any of the
resources run out.
Project Manager: The member of the project team who manages the project, especially the schedule and budget.
Proposal: See Request for Proposals. A properly accomplished proposal educates the prospective client about the full
nature of his or her need, and argues as well as possible that the proposal writer’s group can meet it. Sponsors sometimes
issue a Request for Proposals, commonly referred to as an RFP, in order
to invite proposals on a particular subject.
Protoype: Literally, rst of its kind. Creating a working prototype, that is,
creating a rst-of-its-kind robot that accomplishes the task(s) it is meant to,
is the typical goal of a robotic project.
Protractor: A device used for measuring angles.
Distance
Pressure
Peak
Trough
Rest State
Peak
Protractor
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