FRC LabVIEW Missing Input Device Control

[william_edds]

I have LabVIEW 8.6.1 installed as well as the "FRC 2010 LabVIEW Update 2.1" update and I would like to find out if we can use Input Device VI's. I looks like it is disabled from FRC projects and would like to verify if this is the case or if we can still use it and how to get to it. Below is an example of what I find in a normal project but not in an FRC project:

FYI: I'm looking into using this so I can implement a XBox 360 controller instead of the joysticks that come in the kit of parts. If there are any other ways, would appreciate any advice.

[Kevin_F]

Hey William,

The input device control will not be an option in a robot project. This is because these cannot be executed on a real time target.  You should be able to use the Xbox 360 controller with your controller but you will need to interface it with the Driver Station not the robot project itself.  The driver station will then send x and y and button values from the joystick to the robot project.  From your robot projects perspective there will be no difference between using a USB joystick or the xbox controller.  There is some additional information about people who have done this available on the Chief Delphi forums:http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80762 but I think its really just a matter of installing the drivers, connecting the controller to your computer and adding the controller in your driver station.  Post back if you have any questions on this.

[MegaHertz]

William,

As noted in your other forum post, you should be using the FRC 2011 updates in the short term (the next two weeks), and then LabVIEW FRC 2012 when it's released at kickoff on January 7th.

Nonetheless, Kevin's comments about the overall project architecture are correct in any version of LabVIEW. The controller must interface with the Driver Station, which then sends commands to the robot. Good luck this season!

Andy H.

Applications Engineer

National Instruments