It seems like field control always messes up our auton for qualifications.
What kind of testing have you done? I have helped several teams at events diagnose auton issues when connected to field control, and it is always due to some problem with the way their code is working.
If you can get access to a Smart Field Controller to test with you should be able to simulate a real match to track down your issues. Alternatively, you can turn any spare V5 Brain into a Smart Field Control. You can load the software on a Brain from here.
When I have helped test with teams, I have found that if they are having an issue it can matter what order they do things in, such as if they turn on their robot and connect to the controller before plugging into the field control cable, or if they plug in first and then turn on their robot and controller.
how so?
how does it mess up? it’s hard to help if don’t know the exact problem.
Please elaborate. Normally field control does not affect robot performance.
There is another way to test it without a Smart Field Controller, which is by converting an old, unused brain into a Smart Field Controller. https://kb.vex.com/hc/en-us/articles/360044865591-Using-a-V5-Robot-Brain-for-Robot-Skills-Challenge-Field-Control
Do you use the Inertial Sensor for your autonomous? If so, you usually need to calibrate it for 2-3 seconds before the match. If the calibration is not in the pre-auto section of the code that might mess up your auton.
I have stack of these: VEXnet Competition Switch - VEX Robotics that I use. I’ve also made custom versions. You don’t need a brain to check out the autocode.
Doesn’t this violate the rules or editing software on the brain?
Does anyone know if you can run field control on your laptop using an emulator or another method
After changing your robot from vex net to Bluetooth
No, this doesn’t violate any rules. Note, the Brain that you install the Smart Field Control software on is NOT the Brain you use to power and control your robot. You need to use a 2nd Brain to act as a Smart Field Controller.
I would not recommend converting the brain as it unnecessarily wasted a brain. Instead, if you don’t have a comp switch, I highly recommend either using the run options on the controller, or using https://field.jerryio.com/.
fyi those are now discontinued. why, I have no idea.
They say in-stock and available to buy currently on the website
Thanks you for this gonna be a great help with testing our auton code and finding out why our auton skills fails
Do you know if the brain has to be set to vex net? And how do you plug the controller into the computer? (Might be a stupid question)
Build your own? Get a 12" long ethernet cable from Show Me Cable, cut it in half, solder some switches on it and you are all set. I used some 3P3T switches I had laying around and then sealed the connections up in silicone.
Sorry that they discontinued them. I actually ran 1/2 of an event with one of these switches when the TM system went down hard (hardware failure of the pc). I still carry them as a backup.
How to teams get inspected without using a switch?
It’s not like uploading the field control program is gonna permanently alter the brain. It’s just a normal user program for the most part.
Our code just does a different thing when its hooked up to field control then if its without it.