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All teams are given a set of electronics that have to be used in order to compete. This set of electronics is called the Control System. This page will explain the basic and common electrical set of of a FRC robot.
roboRIO
roboRIO
The roboRIO is the main controller for the robot. When code is put on the robot, it goes to the roboRIO. You can think of the roboRIO as a raspberry pi or an Arduino but bigger. It also has spots for encoders and sensors as well as lights to show the different status of the radio, RSL, the status of the robot and such. The roboRIO is sometimes called a "RIO"
(image from wpilib's doc)
Power Distribution Panel
Power Distribution Panel
The Power Distribution Panel (PDP) distributes power from the robot's battery to the different robot components through circuit breakers and special function fused connections. The PDP also has 12V connectors for the roboRIO,the Voltage Regulator Module (VRM), and the Pneumatics Control Module (PCM).
The Power Distribution Panel is commonly called a PDP
(image from wpilib's doc)
Radio
The radio is used to provide wireless communication to the robot. The radio can be configured as an Access Point for direct connection of a laptop for use at home or for competition use. For more information, check out the page on Radio Programming
Circuit Breaker
The circuit breaker is the main robot power switch. Commonly called a breaker, the breaker turns the robot off and on.
(image from wpilib's doc)
Voltage Regulator Module
The Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) is a module that is connected by the PDP and is powered by 12 volts. The VRM provides power to the robot radio,and cameras. VRM Guide:Can be found here
(image from wpilib's doc)
Pneumatics Control Module
The Pneumatics Control Module (PCM) is a device that has the inputs and outputs needed to operate 12V or 24V pneumatic solenoids and the compressor. The PCM is only needed if you are using pneumatics on the robot. The PCM is controlled by the roboRio over CAN. The PCM controls the compressor when the robot is enabled and when a solenoid is created in the robot's code.
PCM Guide: Can be found here
(image from wpilib's doc)
Motor Controllers
Motor controllers are a device controls a motor. The Motor controller that gets connected to the PDP and the motor. There are many different types of motor controllers that will work with the FRC Control system and are FRC legal. The two main motor controllers that the team uses are TalonSRX and Victors.
Talon SRX
The Talon SRX is from Cross The Road Electronics. It can be controlled over CAN or over the PWM interface. The Talon SRX can be take inputs from different sensors such as limit switches, encoders, etc. Talon SRX Guide: Can be found here
(image from wpilib's doc)
Victors SPX
Victor SPX is also from Cross The Road Electronics. It can also be controlled over the CAN bus or over the PWM interface. Victor SPX Guide: Can be found here
(image from wpilib's doc)
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