Vex Robotics VEXnet Joystick Manual

VEX Robot Remote Control Set-Up
Note: Before proceeding with the VEXnet
joystick setup on the following pages,
complete these steps:
1) Open the RobotC program
2) Select “File > Open Sample Program”
3) Select the “Remote Control”folder
4) Select and open the program entitled “Clawbot Single Joystick Control”–
it should be the 2nd one listed.
5) Select “File > Save As”rename the file and save it where you keep your
other programs (“Q”or “H”network drive).
6) Select “Robot > VEX Cortex Communication Mode”- set to “VEXnet or
USB”.
7) Make sure your robot is connected to your computer with the USB cable,
a battery is installed and the Cortex is turned on.
8) Download the program “Clawbot Single Joystick Control”to your robot.
9) Turn the Cortex off. Unplug the USB cable.
Now follow the steps on the next pages to set-up your VEXnet joystick
Once you get the single joystick program working, try reprogramming the
remote for dual joystick, tank control style. There are sample programs in
the “remote control”folder that will help to guide you. You may need to
change motor port names and numbers to match your robot’s
configuration!

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 1
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC
You will need:
• 1 VEXnet Joystick with 6 AAA Batteries
• 1 Small Phillips Screwdriver
• A computer with ROBOTC for Cortex and PIC installed
• 1 USB A-to-A Cable
• 1 USB-to-Serial Programming Cable
The VEXnet Joystick enables more than just the remote control of your robot. It also provides
the wireless communication link between your computer and the VEX Cortex, enabling you to
wirelessly download rmware, programs and run the ROBOTC debugger. In this document,
you will learn how to congure VEXnet Joystick using ROBOTC.
1. Begin by installing 6 AAA batteries in the VEXnet Joystick. You will need a small Phillips screwdriver to
remove the battery cover.
1a. Install 6 AAA Batteries
Remove the battery cover using a small Phillips
screwdriver and install 6 AAA batteries, being
careful to align them as indicated.
This document is broken into 3 sections:
1. Downloading Firmware to the VEXnet Joystick
2. Creating a Wireless Link Between the VEXnet Joystick and VEX Cortex
3. Calibrating the VEXnet Joystick Values
Section 1: Downloading Firmware to the VEXnet Joystick
1b. Verify Correct Installation
Turn the VEXnet Joystick ON to verify that you
correctly installed the batteries. If any of the LED’s
on the front turn on, you installed the batteries
correctly. Turn the controller OFF and secure the
battery cover using the Philips screwdriver.
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 2
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
2a. Connect the VEXnet Joystick
Use the USB A-to-A cable to connect your
VEXnet Joystick to your computer.
Note: The VEXnet light should turn green.
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
2. Connect the VEXnet Joystick to your computer using the USB A-to-A cable and turn it ON.
2b. Turn the VEXnet Joystick ON
Switch the VEXnet Joystick to the ON postion.
Note: The Joystick light should turn green.
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 3
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
3. Go to Robot > Download Firmware > VEXnet Joystick Firmware and select Standard File to
download the latest VEXnet Joystick Firmware to the controller.
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 VEXnet Joystick Firmware once, when you rst start using a
VEX Cortex with ROBOTC, or when you upgrade to a newer version of ROBOTC.
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
End of Section: Downloading Firmware to the VEXnet Joystick
Once the Download Progress window closes, the VEXnet Joystick Firmware download is complete.
Move on to the next section to learn how to create a wireless link between the VEXnet Joystick and
VEX Cortex.
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 4
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
Section 2: Creating a wireless link betwen the VEXnet Joystick and VEX Cortex
In this section, you will learn how to pair a VEX Cortex Microcontroller to a VEXnet Joystick,
allowing them to communicate over VEXnet. This section assumes that you have already updated
the master rmware 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:
• Easy to connect (No IP addresses, MAC addresses, passwords, or special security modes)
• Multiple layers of security built-in and always on
• No wireless access point needed; each VEXnet pair makes its own private network
• Hundreds of robots can operate at once; every VEXnet robot has a hidden unique ID
• Optional tether for wired communication
• Optional 9V battery backup to maintain wireless link during a main 7.2V power loss
• LED scheme displays the status of the Robot, VEXnet link, and Game (Competition Mode)
1. Begin by verifying that both the Cortex and VEXnet Joystick are connected to charged batteries.
1a. Connect a Battery to the Cortex
Connect a 7.2V robot battery to the Cortex,
but do not power it ON.
1b. Install Batteries in the VEXnet Remote Control
Remove the battery cover plate on the remote
control. Install 6 AAA batteries, and replace the
battery cover plate. Do not power the remote
control ON.
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 5
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
2. Tether the USB port on the VEXnet Joystick to the USB port on the Cortex using a USB
A-to-A cable.
3. Power the Cortex ON. After a few seconds, ROBOT and VEXnet LEDs will blink green,
indicating that the Cortex and VEXnet Joystick have successfully paired.
2a. VEXnet Joystick USB Port
Plug one end of the USB A-to-A cable into
the USB port on the VEXnet Joystick.
2b. VEX Cortex USB Port
Plug the other end of the USB A-to-A cable
into the USB port on the VEX Cortex.
3a. Turn the Cortex ON
3b. Status LEDs
The ROBOT and VEXnet LEDs will blink
green once the Cortex and VEXnet
Joystick have successfully paired.
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 6
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
4. Turn the Cortex OFF.
5. Remove the USB A-to-A cable from the VEXnet Joystick and Cortex.
6. Insert VEXnet USB Keys into both the VEXnet Joystick and Cortex.
6. VEXnet USB Keys
Insert VEXnet USB Keys into the
VEXnet Joystick and Cortex.
It does not matter which VEXnet USB
Key you insert into the Cortex versus
the VEXnet Joystick. Pairing the Cortex
and VEXnet Joystick establishes the
link; the VEXnet USB Keys simply act as
antennas for the link.
Note:
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 7
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
7. Power the Cortex and Joystick ON. After roughly 15 seconds, the ROBOT and VEXnet LED’s
will blink green, indicating that the VEXnet communication link has been established.
7b. Turn the VEXnet Joystick ON
7a. Turn the Cortex ON
7c. Status LEDs
After roughly 15 seconds, the ROBOT and
VEXnet status LEDs will start quickly blinking
green. With the VEXnet link established, you
should power OFF your Cortex and VEXnet
Joystick to preserve battery.
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
End of Section: Creating a Wireless Link between the VEXnet Joystick and VEX Cortex
Your VEXnet Joystick and VEX Cortex can now communicate over the VEXnet USB Keys. Move on to
the next section to calibrate the values your VEXnet Joystick sends out.
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 8
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
Section 3: Calibrating the VEXnet Joystick Values
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 Joystick sends out accurate joystick values, the joysticks must be
calibrated before their rst use, and after any rmware updates are applied.
You will need:
• A VEXnet Joystick with batteries
• A VEX Cortex with robot battery
• A small Allen wrench (1/16” or smaller) or paper clip
This section 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.
1. Power on the VEXnet Joystick and VEX Cortex. Allow them to sync over VEXnet.
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 9
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
2. Press and hold the 6U trigger button.
3. While keeping the 6U trigger button pressed in, use your Allen wrench or paper clip to press in the
internal CONFIG button until the JOYSTICK LED blinks red and green.
2. Press and hold the 6U trigger button
3a. Press and the CONFIG button
While still pressing in the 6U trigger button,
use an Allen wrench or paper clip to press in
the CONFIG button.
3b. JOYSTICK LED
Once the JOYSTICK LED begins to blink
red and green, release both the 6U and
CONFIG buttons.
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 10
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
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.
There is a 10 second time limit to complete steps 4 and 5. If they are not completed in
time, the calibration process will timeout and the VEXnet LED will blink red briey.
Important - Time Sensitive Instructions
4a. Move the Joysticks
Move the joysticks through their full ranges of
motion - Up, Down, Left, Right, and in a circle.
4b. JOYSTICK LED
Once the remote control detects that the joysticks
have been fully rotated, the JOYSTICK LED switches
to solid green, indicating that you can stop moving
the joysticks.
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 11
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
5. Press the 8U button to save the new calibration.
5. Save
Press the 8U button to save the joystick calibration
on your remote control. The JOYSTICK LED will
blink green for a few seconds.
• If the calibration is not saved, the process will timeout after 10 seconds and
the VEXnet LED will blink red.
• To cancel a calibration, press the 7U button. The calibration process will be
discontinued and the VEXnet LED will blink red.
• Once the calibration is discontinued or saved, all of the remote control LEDs
will resume their normal function.
• The joysticks must be calibrated any time the rmware on the remote control
is downloaded.
Additional Information
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
End of Section: Calibrating the VEXnet Joystick Values
The joysticks on your VEXnet Joystick are now properly calibrated and ready to be used to remote
control your robot. If you had any issues during the process, troubleshooting tips can be found on
the following page.
Setup

ROBOTC
VEX Cortex Conguration over USB • 12
© 2011 Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy / For use with VEX Robotics Systems
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 Joystick
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 Joystick 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 Joystick, even though they are
both green on the Cortex.
Solution: Power cycle both the VEXnet Joystick and CORTEX.
Troubleshooting
VEXnet Joystick Conguration in ROBOTC (cont.)
Setup