Samantha
3 Things to Know
Dave Hackett
FTC Mentor
Valley Forge, PA
Agenda
• Introduction
• 3 Things to Know
– Mounting
– Power
– Getting Connected
• Just One More Thing…
• Summary
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Introduction
• Samantha Module
– A Wi-Fi device that allows a team to control its
robot remotely
– Attaches to NXT using USB cable
– Receives commands from game controllers
connected to the Field Control System
• Samantha Field Control System (FCS)
– Software and hardware setup that allows FTC
robots to engage in competition
– Consists of:
• Laptop w/Samantha FCS Software
• Wi-Fi router
• USB cables, hubs, and game controllers
• External monitor for timer display
• Resources
– Read: FCS User's Guide for teams
– Watch: FTC Video Tutorial - Setting Up the Field Control System
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1) Mounting
The best place to mount the Samantha module is:
a)

b)
c)
d)
Deep inside the robot, surrounded by as much metal as possible to protect
it from damage.
High up and securely mounted without metal blocking its antenna.
Laying on top of the motor controller.
On the front as a plow so you can push and score rings that have dropped
on the floor.
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Mounting Best Practices
•
•
•
•
Mount Samantha module as high as possible
Do not bury Samantha module behind a mass of metal
Use as short a USB cable as possible, usually 12”
Ensure good strain relief for USB cable
– The ½” gear hub the right size is a good choice to use as a spacer
• Samantha Mounting Best Practices Report
– Mounting Samantha module laterally results in the best overall signal strength
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2) Power
The better way to power the Samantha module is:
a)

b)
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Power Best Practices
• Wire directly to switch and battery
– Samantha Mounting Best Practices
• Robot Power Management Using Anderson Powerpole® Connectors
– http://www.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/uploadedFiles/Robotics_Programs/FT
C/FTC_Documents/Anderson-Powerpole-Guide.pdf
– Thanks to Purple Gears / FTC Team 2901
Check for an
expanded female
connector
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3) Getting Connected
• How do I connect to the network?
8
Configure Samantha Wi-Fi
• Required
– USB flash drive
• 4 GB maximum (FAT file system)
– Network information
•
•
•
•
SSID - same as on FCS router
Network Key - same as on FCS router
Network Authentication: WPA2-PSK
Encryption: AES
• Samantha Competition Network Config
– “FTC_FIELD” Wireless Network Settings
– Settings stored in FTCNTKY folder on flash drive
• Use flash drive to transfer settings to Samantha module
– LED sequence Red, White, Blue, White, Red
• Resources
– Watch: FTC Video Tutorial - How to update Samantha's Firmware
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Just One More Thing…
Prepare NXT
Samostat
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Prepare NXT
• Name your NXT
– Use your FTC Team number
– Append hyphen and letter on additional NXTs (e.g. 0010-A, 0010-B)
• Install programs required at Tournaments
– Program Chooser
– Samostat
• Define the default Tele-op program
– Run Program Chooser
– Define within programming environment
Help the FCS Operator and the FTA help you!
Use meaningful names for autonomous and Tele-op programs
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Samostat
• Wi-Fi status and network verification
• Required to be installed on NXT at
Tournaments
• Samantha FCS folder
– RobotC: samostat.c
– LabVIEW: samostat.vi
• Samostat displays
–
–
–
–
Firmware version
IP address of Samantha
Connection counters
Detected Wi-Fi networks
•
asterisk: connected to network
• blank: not connected to network
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Summary
1)
Mounting: USB cable secured, mounted high without interference
2)
Power: Samantha as close to the battery and switch as possible
3)
Getting Connecting: Use Samantha Competition Network Config
program and flash drive
** Use Samantha module and FCS in practices before Tournaments **
More Information:
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/ftc/samantha
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