Programming instructions

Glossary • 122
APPENDIX B - GLOSSARY
Inventor’s Guide
276-2178-E-0610
B
Back-driving – Motion Subsystem
A condition where torque is transferred backwards
through a mechanical system, causing the driving
element (typically a motor) to be driven instead.
This can often be damaging to the mechanical
system and/or the motor. A clutch can be used to
disengage the motor if the back-driven force is
strong enough to cause damage.
Battery – Power Subsystem
Normally, any portable power source, such as the
VEX battery packs. Technically, a battery is a
collection of multiple cells, but single cells are often
referred to as batteries in common usage.
Battery Holder – Power Subsystem
The Battery Holder creates a 7.2V battery out of
(6) 1.2V AA cells (by connecting them in series) or
9.6V out of (8) 1.2V AA cells. The Battery Holder
also holds the AA cells in place on board the robot.
Bearing – Structure Subsystem
A piece that is used to hold a moving piece (such as
an axle) in place relative to the rest of the system.
Bearing Flat – Motion Subsystem
A commonly used type of bearing in the VEX
system. This bearing has three holes in a row. The
bearing is secured to the chassis through two of
the holes, and an axle is passed through the third,
which allows it to spin freely but not move out of
place relative to the chassis.
Behavior – Sensor Subsystem, Logic Subsystem
In the context of robotics, a behavior is the pattern
of actions a robot will enact when given certain
inputs or commands.
Bumper Switch Sensor – Sensor Subsystem
A high-durability sensor designed to detect physical
contact. This is a digital sensor.
Glossary
C
Calibrate (Sensor) – Sensor Subsystem
Calibrating a sensor is the process of matching
sensor readings against known values to ensure
that the sensor input is being interpreted correctly
in the program. Simple sensors, like the Bumper
and Limit Switches, typically do not need to be
calibrated.
Calibrate (Joysticks) – Control Subsystem
Calibrating the transmitter joysticks (also called
“trimming” the sticks) is the process of adjusting
trim values on the Transmitter to ensure that the
sticks produce no motor movement when they are
centered. A more thorough calibration process also
includes setting the scaling and end points to ensure
a full range of motion.
Carrier Wave – Control Subsystem
The carrier wave for FM communication is a simple
sine wave with a set frequency. It is then modied
(modulated) by the desired signal wave to produce
the nal output wave that is sent to the receiver.
Caster Wheel – Motion Subsystem
A free-swiveling wheel mounted on a robot to
provide stability while producing a minimum of
friction. The front wheels on a shopping cart are
caster wheels; they support weight and stabilize
the cart, but do not add signicant amounts of
friction like a skid would, nor do they change the
maneuvering characteristics of the cart like an
additional locked wheel would.
CCW
Short for Counterclockwise.
Cell – Power Subsystem
A single electrochemical unit producing a known
voltage differential, such as a single NiCd AA
battery, which has a voltage of 1.2V between the
+ and - terminals.
Go to Reference Links