Vex Robotics Cortex Manual

ROBOTC
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB • 1
© 2010 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB
You will need:
• 1 VEX Cortex Microcontroller with one 7.2V Robot Battery
• A computer with ROBOTC for Cortex and PIC installed
• 1 USB A-to-A Cable
This document is a guide for downloading the ROBOTC rmware to the VEX Cortex using the
USB A-to-A cable.
1. Leaving the POWER switch in the OFF position, connect your Cortex to the computer using the USB
A-to-A cable. Once the cable is attached, move the POWER switch to the ON position.
1a. ConnecttheCortextoyourPC
Use the USB A-to-A cable to
connect your Cortex to your PC.
1b. TurntheCortexON
Make sure a 7.2V Robot battery is
connected and move the POWER
switch on the Cortex to ON.
Setup

ROBOTC
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB • 2
© 2010 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
2. Specify how your Cortex is connected to the computer in the ROBOTC Preferences.
2a. DetailedPreferences...
Go to View > Preferences
and select Detailed
Preferences...
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB (cont.)
2c. CommunicationPort
To program directly over the
USB A-to-A cable, select the
option that specifys the USB
Wired Cable. Press OK to
nalize your setting.
2b. PlatformTab
  Make sure that the Platform
tab is selected on the ROBOTC
Preferences window.
Setup

ROBOTC
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB • 3
© 2010 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
3. The ROBOTC Firmware enables you to download ROBOTC programs to your robot and utilize
the various debug windows. Go to Robot > Download Firmware and select Download using
Default File to download the ROBOTC Firmware to your robot.
3.DownloadProgress
A Download Progress window will appear and begin the download process.
When the window closes, the rmware download is complete.
Note: You only need to download the ROBOTC Firmware once.
Switching programs or download methods does not require a re-download.
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB (cont.)
End of Lesson
Once the Download Progress window closes, the ROBOTC Firmware download is complete.
Your robot is now ready to be programmed in ROBOTC.
Setup

ROBOTC
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB • 4
© 2010 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
Troubleshooting
Problem: Communication using the USB A-to-A cable between ROBOTC and the Cortex is
very slow, or not working.
Resolution: Verify each of the following options, and re-test your communication link before
moving on:
Is the USB A-to-A cable connecting the computer to your Cortex? The USB cable will provide
some power to the Cortex, powering some of its status lights. If not, try rebooting your system.
Is your robot also connected to and powered on by a charged battery?
Did you have the robot powered on before you connected it to the computer using the USB
A-to-A cable? The robot must rst be connected to the computer using the USB A-to-A cable,
and then powered on with the battery.
Is VEX 2.0 Cortex selected as the Platform Type in ROBOTC?
Have you selected the correct Communication Port in the ROBOTC Preferences?
Have you downloaded the ROBOTC Firmware to the Cortex?
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB (cont.)
Setup

ROBOTC
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB • 5
© 2010 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
Troubleshooting
If you’ve veried all of the previous options with no success, you can enable “Message Tracing”
to put ROBOTC into a persistent communication mode.
Begin by going to Window > Menu Level and selecting Super User to switch your viewing
preferences to the Super User level.
Then go to View > Preferences and select Detailed Preferences...
On the Internal tab, select Messages under Message Tracing to put ROBOTC into its persistent
communication mode. Press OK to verify your setting.
Now when you download a program, ROBOTC will also open the Message Log with the
Cortex in a new tab. You can switch back and forth between your program and the Message
Log by clicking on the desired tab.
Downloading ROBOTC Firmware over USB (cont.)
Setup