VEXnet Upgrade
The VEXnet Upgrade Bundle provides the components necessary to convert the existing
75Mhz Transmitter and v.5 Microcontroller to the VEXnet proprietary 802.11 wireless protocol.
Only one VEXnet Upgrade is needed per robot, even with two drivers.
| What is the VEXnet Upgrade? The VEXnet Upgrade Bundle converts the crystal based 75MHz communication protocol to 802.11 wireless communication. The VEXnet Upgrade allows users to convert existing VEX v.5 Microcontrollers and VEX Transmitters. Communication Features • No more crystals • Users do not have to deal with IP addresses, MAC addresses, passwords, or security modes • Multiple layers of security built in and always on • No wireless access point needed • Every VEXnet Robot has a unique ID (hidden from everyone). • Each VEXnet pair makes its own private network • Hundreds of robots can operate at once • Most (if not all) VEXnet competition events will allow wireless operation in the pits • USB cable provides optional tether for wired communication (and initial VEXnet pairing) • Two user selectable channels and one private channel for competitions • 9V Backup Battery Holder used to maintain wireless link during main 7.2V power loss (required for VEXnet competitions) User Features • New LED scheme: Robot, VEXnet, and Game LEDs on the robot and transmitter. • Robot LED is for battery status and joystick status • VEXnet LED is for Link status and data quality • Game LED shows Disabled, Driver, and Autonomous modes • The VEXnet Transmitter Upgrade Module is paired to the VEXnet Microcontroller Upgrade Module at the factory • Users can pair their robot to a different transmitter simply by tethering them together • Wireless driving, programming, and debugging • Simply connect the upgraded transmitter to a PC using the current orange Programming Cable. • Two VEX Transmitters can connect to one robot (only one VEXnet Upgrade Bundle required) • The second transmitter is connected to the primary transmitter using a RJ-10 tether cable. Both transmitters send data to the same VEXnet Upgrade Module which provides the wireless link to the VEX microcontroller. • easyC and ROBOTC software patch required for VEXnet operation for competition Competition Features • New VEXnet field controller for competitions • Special Game LED on the robot and transmitter lets you know your mode: Disabled, Driver, or Autonomous • No more templates for autonomous timing • The field now signals both Start/Stop and Driver/Autonomous • Low battery re-boots will not cause autonomous to restart • Robots are automatically switched to a private channel for competitions • Robots are automatically switched to one of the pit channels when not competing Compatibility • VEXnet works with easyC and ROBOTC. • Watch for software updates to optimize VEXnet functionality. Future Features • Autonomous (no transmitter) while connected to a PC • Plug the VEXnet USB Adapter into your PC • Plugging the VEXnet USB Adapter into your PC will allow for programming, debugging, and driving from the PC • More with future VEX microcontrollers |