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lots more info and cleanup on radio-programming
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jasondaming committed Dec 30, 2024
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2 changes: 1 addition & 1 deletion source/docs/controls-overviews/control-system-hardware.rst
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Expand Up @@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ The CTRE Voltage Regulator Module (VRM) is an independent module that is powered
:alt: VH-109 Radio on a white background with nothing plugged in.
:width: 500

The Vivid-Hosting VH-109 radio is designed specifically for FRC. It uses Wi-Fi 6E to avoid the common congestion problems that plague 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. The ruggedized design allows for unfiltered power input coming directly from you power distribution. It also has 4 Ethernet ports reducing the need for an additional network switch.
The [Vivid-Hosting VH-109 radio](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/) is designed specifically for FRC. It uses Wi-Fi 6E to avoid the common congestion problems that plague 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. The ruggedized design allows for unfiltered power input coming directly from you power distribution. It also has 4 Ethernet ports reducing the need for an additional network switch.

## 120A Circuit Breaker

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Expand Up @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ An FRC\ |reg| Robot is an incredibly rough environment when it comes to vibratio

## Redundancy

Unfortunately there are few places in the FRC Control System where redundancy is feasible. Taking advantage of opportunities for redundancy can increase reliability. The primary example of this is wiring the VH-109 radio with a :term:PoE connection in addition to the direct Weidmuller radio power. This ensures that if one of the cables becomes damaged or dislodged, the other will maintain power to the radio. Keep an eye out for other potential areas to provide redundancy when wiring and programming your robot.
Unfortunately there are few places in the FRC Control System where redundancy is feasible. Taking advantage of opportunities for redundancy can increase reliability. The primary example of this is wiring the VH-109 radio with a :term:`PoE` connection in addition to the direct Weidmuller radio power. This ensures that if one of the cables becomes damaged or dislodged, the other will maintain power to the radio. Keep an eye out for other potential areas to provide redundancy when wiring and programming your robot.

## Port Savers

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Expand Up @@ -106,6 +106,8 @@ For a test board, cut piece of 1/4" or 1/2" (6-12 mm) material (wood or plastic)

Lay out the components on the board. An example layout is shown in the image above.

.. note:: A Vivid-Hosting has a [guide](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/getting-started/usage/mounting-your-radio) for mounting the VH-109 radio.

## Fasten Components

.. image:: images/how-to-wire-a-simple-robot/ziptie.png
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## Radio Power
[Vivid-Hosting Wiring Guide](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/getting-started/usage/wiring-your-radio)
.. tab-set::

.. tab-item:: REV
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4. Cut and strip ~5/16" (~8 mm) from the end of the wire.
5. Connect the wire to the VH-109 "12V" Weidmuller terminals.

.. note:: The radio can additionally be powered by :term:PoE to create a more redundant connection.
.. note:: The radio can additionally be powered by :term:`PoE` to create a more redundant connection.

## Pneumatics Power (Optional)

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1. Connect an Ethernet cable from the RJ45 (Ethernet) socket of the roboRIO to the `RIO` port on the VH-109 Radio.

.. note:: If using :term:PoE you may need a second Ethernet cable or longer power wires.
.. note:: If using :term:`PoE` you may need a second Ethernet cable or longer power wires.

.. warning:: DO NOT connect the Rev passive :term:PoE injector cable directly to the roboRIO. The roboRIO MUST connect to the socket end of the cable using an additional Ethernet cable as shown in the next step.
.. warning:: DO NOT connect the Rev passive :term:`PoE` injector cable directly to the roboRIO. The roboRIO MUST connect to the socket end of the cable using an additional Ethernet cable as shown in the next step.

## CAN Devices

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44 changes: 41 additions & 3 deletions source/docs/zero-to-robot/step-3/radio-programming.rst
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# Programming your Radio

This guide will show you how to do a basic setup for controlling your robot "at home" using the VH-109 FRC\ |reg| Radio. For complete documentation and information please see the (Vivid-Hosting radio site)[https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/].
This guide will show you how to do a basic setup for controlling your robot "at home" using the VH-109 FRC\ |reg| Radio. For complete documentation and information please see the [Vivid-Hosting radio site](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/).

## Prerequisites

The recommended setup requires: 2 VH-109 radios, 1 VH-117 :term:PoE Wall Adapter, and 1 Radio Heatsink.
The recommended setup requires: 2 VH-109 radios, 1 VH-117 :term:`PoE` Wall Adapter, and 1 Radio Heatsink. Available [here](https://wcproducts.com/products/frc-radio).

Please see the :ref:`docs/zero-to-robot/step-3/radio-programming:Alternative Setup Discussion` if you do not currently have this hardware.

## Getting to the Web Configuration Page

1. Connect the radio directly to your computer using an Ethernet cable in the :guilabel:`DS` port.

2. Ensure the radio has power either through the Weidmuller connectors or :term:`PoE`.

3. Open a web browser and navigate to :guilabel:`http://192.168.69.1/`

## Radio Firmware Update (You can skip if already at version 1.2.6)

.. image:: images/radio-programming/radio-firmware.png
:alt: The Firmware Upload section of the radio configuration page

.. note:: Newer versions of the radio firmware will have the version listed at the bottom. If you do not see the version listed you have firmware prior to 1.2.0.

1. On the Vivid-Hosting [firmware releases](https://frc-radio.vivid-hosting.net/miscellaneous/firmware-releases) page download the proper firmware for the current firmware version you have. Always choose the `Radio Variant`.

2. Copy the SHA-256 key below the firmware you downloaded.

3. Paste that key into the :guilabel:`Checksum` box of the :guilabel:`Firmware Upload` section at the bottom of the configuration page we navigated to above.

4. Click :guilabel:`Browse...` and select the firmware file you downloaded.

5. Click the :guilabel:`Upload` button.

.. warning:: The radio will take approximately 2-3 minutes to complete firmware updates. Do not remove power during this process. Damage to the radio can occur. When the PWR light is solid and the SYS light is slowly blinking at 1 Hz, the firmware upgrade process is complete.

## Robot Radio Configuration (All Teams)

This is the default configuration for the VH-109 radio to act as a ROBOT RADIO for FRC competitions while at home. This procedure is not required when at a competition.
.. image:: images/radio-programming/configuration-page.png
:alt: The top section of the radio configuration page

This is the default configuration for the VH-109 radio to act as a Robot Radio for FRC competitions while at home. This procedure is not required when at a competition.

1. Select :guilabel:`Robot Radio Mode`

Expand All @@ -22,6 +54,12 @@ This is the default configuration for the VH-109 radio to act as a ROBOT RADIO f

5. Enter the 2.4 GHz WPA/SAE key. This is the password team members will type in when connecting to the 2.4 GHz network, if available.

## Access Point Radio Configuration

Follow all of the same steps as the robot radio configuration instead choosing :guilabel:`Access Point Mode` at the top of the configuration page.

## Alternative Setup Discussion

### Optimal Setup: Two VH-109 Radios

For the best experience and to closely simulate field conditions, it is strongly recommended that your team uses two VH-109 radios during testing and preparation. This dual-radio setup mirrors the competition environment, ensuring your robot operates under realistic network conditions. Additionally, having two radios allows you to fully leverage the high-speed, low-latency communication provided by the 6GHz band, which is crucial for optimal robot performance in high-stakes scenarios.
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