FRC Core Electronics - quasics/quasics-frc-sw-2015 GitHub Wiki

These are the core requirements or any FRC Robot; without them, your robot won't run, or at least it won't stop.

RoboRio

This is the brain of your robot. All code is deployed to this grey slab and all actuators and co-prosessors take orders from it.

Core Power Systems

If the RIO is the brain of the robot, then the power system is its heart and lungs.

  • Power Distribution Panel (PDP)
    • Power enters the robot here, and this directly powers high power components (e.g. Motors), the RIO, and the VRM
  • Voltage Regulator Module (VRM)
    • This brick provides lower levels of power than the PDB. This module provides the power to the Radio, and also offers various other ports for low power components (e.g. LED Lights)
  • Battery
    • Exactly what it looks like. A golf cart battery which provides the power that the other components regulate and use.
  • Breaker
    • The power switch of the robot. Controls access to the battery's positive lead.

Robot Signal Light (RSL)

The most notable safety device on the robot, this amber light serves to indicate the status of the robot (disabled, enabled, and off). Programmers can largely ignore this, as it is controlled directly by the RIO

Radio

The radio is the link between the driver's station and the robot itself. Much like the battery, it's exactly what it says on the tin.