Tutorials/Getting Started/Getting Started with the VEX CORTEX
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== Getting Started with the VEX CORTEX == | == Getting Started with the VEX CORTEX == | ||
| − | === | + | === Configuring the VEX Cortex for a WIRED connection using USB === |
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| − | | | + | |This is a guide for setting up the VEX Cortex using the USB A-to-A cable. These steps are required the first time you use your computer to program a specific VEX Cortex, or after you've upated ROBOTC to the latest verstion. Once you've successfully completed these steps you can download your own programs without revisiting them. '''Note: Administrative privileges are required for some of these steps.''' |
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| − | + | ==== Driver Installation ==== | |
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| − | + | |ROBOTC 3.05 and later automatically installs the necessary drivers for the VEX Cortex, VEXnet Joysticks, and USB-to-Serial Programming cable. If you need to download the drivers for troubleshooting purposes, you can still find them at www.ROBOTC.net/download/cortex. | |
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=== Download ROBOTC Firmware === | === Download ROBOTC Firmware === | ||
Revision as of 11:04, 17 May 2012
Contents |
Getting Started with the VEX CORTEX
Configuring the VEX Cortex for a WIRED connection using USB
| This is a guide for setting up the VEX Cortex using the USB A-to-A cable. These steps are required the first time you use your computer to program a specific VEX Cortex, or after you've upated ROBOTC to the latest verstion. Once you've successfully completed these steps you can download your own programs without revisiting them. Note: Administrative privileges are required for some of these steps. |
Driver Installation
| ROBOTC 3.05 and later automatically installs the necessary drivers for the VEX Cortex, VEXnet Joysticks, and USB-to-Serial Programming cable. If you need to download the drivers for troubleshooting purposes, you can still find them at www.ROBOTC.net/download/cortex. |
Download ROBOTC Firmware
| The ROBOTC Firmware enables you to download ROBOTC programs to your robot and utilize the various debugger windows.
Prerequisites:
If you are also using the VEXnet Joysticks, you will need to update its firmware and establish a wireless VEXnet link between it and the Cortex. |
Download VEXnet Joystick Firmware
| The VEXnet Joystick includes two joysticks (each having an X and Y-axis), 8 buttons on the front, and 4 additional trigger buttons on the top. Inside, there is also 3-Axis accelerometer, capable of providing X-Y-Z acceleration values. Values from the joysticks, buttons, and accelerometer are sent as a constant stream of information over VEXnet to the robot, enabling a user to control the robot in real-time.
You will need to update the firmware on the VEXnet Joystick to ensure that it will operates correctly. Placing your VEXnet Joystick in "Bootload" mode is necessary before downloading the VEXnet Joystick Firmware. Keep the VEXnet Joystick powered OFF.
The process of placing your VEXnet Joystick in Bootload mode is easier if you start by plugging one end of the USB A-to-A cable into the device. Keep the VEXnet Joystick turned OFF, and do not plug the other end of the USB A-to-A cable in yet.
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Setting up VEXnet Communication
| In this section, you will learn how to pair a VEX Cortex Microcontroller to a VEXnet Remote Control, allowing them to communicate over VEXnet. This section assumes that you have already updated the master firmware on the VEX Cortex and VEXnet Remote Control. VEXnet is an 802.11 WiFi communication system between the VEX Cortex and VEXnet Remote Control.
VEXnet features include:
7. Power the Cortex and Remote Control ON. After roughly 15 seconds, the ROBOT and VEXnet LED’s will blink green, indicating that the VEXnet communication link has been established.
Issue: Slow blinking green ROBOT light on the Cortex Solution: Download the Cortex Master Firmware using ROBOTC. Issue: Slow blinking ROBOT green light on the VEXnet Remote Control Solution: Push and hold CONFIG button for about 5 seconds, until the status LEDs starts blinking green. Release it, wait for another 5 seconds, and then turn the VEXnet Remote Control OFF and then back ON. If that fails, download the VEXnet Joystick Firmware using ROBOTC. Issue: Yellow or red ROBOT light on the Cortex Solution: Make sure you are using fully charged Robot battery. Issue: Yellow or red ROBOT light on the VEXnet Remote Control, even though they are both green on the Cortex. Solution: Power cycle both the VEXnet Remote Control and CORTEX. |
VEXnet Remote Control Calibration
| This document contains the procedure for calibrating the VEXnet Remote Control joysticks. Some steps are time-sensitive, so it’s recommended that you read through the instructions once before following along.
The VEXnet Remote Control includes two joysticks (each having an X and Y-axis), 8 buttons on the front, and 4 additional trigger buttons on the top. Inside, there is also 3-Axis accelerometer, capable of providing X-Y-Z acceleration values. Values from the joysticks, buttons, and accelerometer are sent as a constant stream of information over VEXnet to the robot, enabling a user to control the robot in real-time. To ensure that the VEXnet Remote Control sends out accurate joystick values, the joysticks must be calibrated before their first use, and after any firmware updates are applied to the remote control. You will need:
Important - Time Sensitive Instructions 4. Move both joysticks through their full ranges of motion. When the remote control detects that the joysticks have been fully rotated, the JOYSTICK LED stops blinking red and green, and switches to a solid green. 4a. Move the joysticks through their full ranges of motion - Up, Down, Left, Right, and in a circle.
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Sample Programs
| One of the best ways to start working with ROBOTC and learning how to program is to look at already developed programs. ROBOTC comes with over 75 sample programs to help the programmer learn how to program their robotics controllers.
To access these sample programs, open the "Sample Programs" folder by going to the "File" menu and selecting "Open Sample Program."
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Compiling and Downloading
| ROBOTC is considered to be an "Integrated Development Environment." This means that ROBOTC has a custom text editor for developing code that will assist the programmer by color coding different potions of code to differentiate between integers, reserved words, functions and parameters.
In the example below:
Option 2: Download Using USB Only Option 3: Download for Competition (VEXnet) Note: Switching between Download Modes may require you to power cycle your Cortex before it takes effect. Once your program has successfully compiled and you've selected the appropriate Download Method, you can send the program to the controller by clicking the "Compile and Download Program" option under the "Robot" menu. Note: Your robot must be turned on and connected to the computer before you can download a program.
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