Glossary

CAN

Controller Area Network: typically yellow and green cable used to communicate with motor controllers and sensors, can be run in various topographies instead of each cable needing to connect to SystemCore

Continuous Integration: A software development practice where developers frequently merge code changes into a shared repository, triggering automated builds and tests to ensures the codebase remains stable

GitHub

GitHub is like Google Drive, but for code. It hosts git repositories and allows for improved collaboration on projects through pull requests and issues

Limit Switch

Type of sensor that triggers when physically or magnetically hit. Can be used to trigger actions on a rising or falling edge, or check state of a mechanism

Magnetic Encoder

An encoder that uses a receiver and a magnet to measure position and motion

Main Breaker

Power switch for the robot

PDH

Power Distribution Hub

PWM

Pulse Width Modulation: A communication spec used to communicate with motor controllers and sensors, needs to connect back to SystemCore

Repository

A storage location for software packages, often used in version control systems like Git. Repositories are just folders that contain files and subfolders, and they can be hosted on platforms like GitHub to facilitate collaboration and version tracking

Spark MAX

Motor controller for REV motors

SystemCore

Main processor for robot code, contains various IO

Talon FX

Motor controller for CTRE motors

Throughbore Encoder

An encoder that allows shafts to pass through its center to record angular position

WPILib

WPILib is the standard software library and toolsuite provided for teams to write, test, and debug code for their FIRST® Robotics Competition and FIRST® Tech Challenge robots