1997 - Revision history

Fallinsideahole: /* Game manual and team updates */

2026-03-06T21:28:05Z

Game manual and team updates

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:28, 6 March 2026
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	===Game manual and team updates===		===Game manual and team updates===
	<pdf>File:1997 Game Manual.pdf</pdf>{{358ref}}<br>		<pdf>File:1997 Game Manual.pdf</pdf>{{358ref}}<br>
	[https://www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/index.php/File:1997_Team_Updates.pdf Team Updates]~~<ref name=tkh />~~		[https://www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/index.php/File:1997_Team_Updates.pdf Team Updates]{{TKHref}}

	===Other official documents===		===Other official documents===

Fallinsideahole: /* Partial game manual and team updates */

2026-03-06T21:26:39Z

Partial game manual and team updates

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:26, 6 March 2026
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	==Documentation==		==Documentation==
	===~~Partial game~~ manual and team updates===		===Game manual and team updates===
	<pdf>File:1997 Game Manual ~~(partial)~~.pdf</pdf>{{~~TKHref~~}}<br>		<pdf>File:1997 Game Manual.pdf</pdf>{{358ref}}<br>
	[https://www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/index.php/File:1997_Team_Updates.pdf Team Updates]<ref name=tkh />		[https://www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/index.php/File:1997_Team_Updates.pdf Team Updates]<ref name=tkh />

Fallinsideahole: /* Control system */

2026-03-06T21:24:47Z

Control system

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:24, 6 March 2026
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	File:44428 - 1997 control system kit of parts.png\|The robot controller with [[BASIC Stamp]] in the 1997 [[kit of parts]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/44428]		File:44428 - 1997 control system kit of parts.png\|The robot controller with [[BASIC Stamp]] in the 1997 [[kit of parts]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/44428]
	File:3660 - 1997 control system dean kamen kickoff woodie flowers.jpg\|[[Dean Kamen]] and [[Woodie Flowers]] with the control system at [[kickoff]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3660]		File:3660 - 1997 control system dean kamen kickoff woodie flowers.jpg\|[[Dean Kamen]] and [[Woodie Flowers]] with the control system at [[kickoff]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3660]
	File:3637 - 1997 1997frc31 build control system frc45 robot.jpg\|[[frc45\|Team 45]] wiring the 1997 control system, showing an RNet radio plugged into the BASIC Stamp receiver box, two drill battery holders, two drill motors, and two Tekin speed controllers [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3441]		File:3637 - 1997 1997frc31 build control system frc45 robot.jpg\|[[frc45\|Team 45]] wiring the 1997 control system, showing an [[RNet]] radio plugged into the BASIC Stamp receiver box, two drill battery holders, two drill motors, and two Tekin speed controllers [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3441]
	File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]		File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Fallinsideahole: /* Control system */

2026-03-06T21:24:28Z

Control system

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:24, 6 March 2026
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	File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]		File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	As in several previous years, robots were powered by two 12 volt drill batteries. For the first time, the control system included a software-programmable microcontroller and programming software. The robot side of the control system included the receive box which contained a [[BASIC Stamp]] microcontroller and hardware to output PWM and relay controls. The kit of parts included software to program the controller in PBASIC. One 2048 byte EEPROM in the receive box contained the default program which would output controller buttons right to PWM outputs like some previous control systems ~~and while the other~~ could be selected and programmed with custom code. 26 bytes of RAM were available to user programs. This increased the potential complexity of mechanisms and automated control and allowed for more complex driver control.		As in several previous years, robots were powered by two 12 volt drill batteries. For the first time, the control system included a software-programmable microcontroller and programming software. The robot side of the control system included the receive box which contained a [[BASIC Stamp]] microcontroller and hardware to output PWM and relay controls. The kit of parts included software to program the controller in PBASIC. One 2048 byte EEPROM in the receive box contained the default program which would output controller buttons right to PWM outputs like some previous control systems with a second EEPROM which could be selected and programmed with custom code. 26 bytes of RAM were available to user programs. This increased the potential complexity of mechanisms and automated control and allowed for more complex driver control.

	The driver station side of the control system includes the transmit box with ports for two PC joysticks, with CH Products joysticks once again included in the [[kit of parts]]. An array of switches and potentiometers was included in the kit to build a third custom controller. 16 digital switch signals and 8 channels of proportional output can be sent from the joysticks and custom control box. All custom controls are subject to the same parts rules as the components of the robot, although custom controls are not counted in the weight of the robot itself.		The driver station side of the control system includes the transmit box with ports for two PC joysticks, with CH Products joysticks once again included in the [[kit of parts]]. An array of switches and potentiometers was included in the kit to build a third custom controller. 16 digital switch signals and 8 channels of proportional output can be sent from the joysticks and custom control box. All custom controls are subject to the same parts rules as the components of the robot, although custom controls are not counted in the weight of the robot itself.

Fallinsideahole: /* Control system */

2026-03-06T21:18:56Z

Control system

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:18, 6 March 2026
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	File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]		File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]
	</gallery>		</gallery>
	As in several previous years, robots were powered by two 12 volt drill batteries. For the first time, the control system included a software-programmable microcontroller and programming software. The robot side of the control system included the receive box which contained a BASIC Stamp microcontroller and hardware to output PWM and relay controls. The kit of parts included software to program the controller in PBASIC. One 2048 byte EEPROM in the receive box contained the default program which would output controller buttons right to PWM outputs like some previous control systems and while the other could be selected and programmed with custom code. 26 bytes of RAM were available to user programs. This increased the potential complexity of mechanisms and automated control and allowed for more complex driver control.		As in several previous years, robots were powered by two 12 volt drill batteries. For the first time, the control system included a software-programmable microcontroller and programming software. The robot side of the control system included the receive box which contained a [[BASIC Stamp]] microcontroller and hardware to output PWM and relay controls. The kit of parts included software to program the controller in PBASIC. One 2048 byte EEPROM in the receive box contained the default program which would output controller buttons right to PWM outputs like some previous control systems and while the other could be selected and programmed with custom code. 26 bytes of RAM were available to user programs. This increased the potential complexity of mechanisms and automated control and allowed for more complex driver control.

	The driver station side of the control system includes the transmit box with ports for two PC joysticks, with CH Products joysticks once again included in the [[kit of parts]]. An array of switches and potentiometers was included in the kit to build a third custom controller. 16 digital switch signals and 8 channels of proportional output can be sent from the joysticks and custom control box. All custom controls are subject to the same parts rules as the components of the robot, although custom controls are not counted in the weight of the robot itself.		The driver station side of the control system includes the transmit box with ports for two PC joysticks, with CH Products joysticks once again included in the [[kit of parts]]. An array of switches and potentiometers was included in the kit to build a third custom controller. 16 digital switch signals and 8 channels of proportional output can be sent from the joysticks and custom control box. All custom controls are subject to the same parts rules as the components of the robot, although custom controls are not counted in the weight of the robot itself.

Fallinsideahole: /* Control system */

2026-03-06T21:18:28Z

Control system

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:18, 6 March 2026
Line 96:		Line 96:
	File:44428 - 1997 control system kit of parts.png\|The robot controller with [[BASIC Stamp]] in the 1997 [[kit of parts]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/44428]		File:44428 - 1997 control system kit of parts.png\|The robot controller with [[BASIC Stamp]] in the 1997 [[kit of parts]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/44428]
	File:3660 - 1997 control system dean kamen kickoff woodie flowers.jpg\|[[Dean Kamen]] and [[Woodie Flowers]] with the control system at [[kickoff]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3660]		File:3660 - 1997 control system dean kamen kickoff woodie flowers.jpg\|[[Dean Kamen]] and [[Woodie Flowers]] with the control system at [[kickoff]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3660]
	File:3637 - 1997 1997frc31 build control system frc45 robot.jpg\|[[frc45\|Team 45]] wiring the 1997 control system, showing an RNet radio plugged into the receiver box, two drill battery holders, two drill motors, and two Tekin speed controllers [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3441]		File:3637 - 1997 1997frc31 build control system frc45 robot.jpg\|[[frc45\|Team 45]] wiring the 1997 control system, showing an RNet radio plugged into the BASIC Stamp receiver box, two drill battery holders, two drill motors, and two Tekin speed controllers [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3441]
	File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]		File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Fallinsideahole at 17:13, 8 February 2026

2026-02-08T17:13:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:13, 8 February 2026
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	}}		}}

	The 1997 FIRST Robotics Competition season formally began with the [[kickoff#1997]] event on Saturday, January 11, 1997.		The 1997 FIRST Robotics Competition season formally began with the [[kickoff#1997\|kickoff]] event on Saturday, January 11, 1997.
	Competition season consisted of three regional events, the [[1997il\|1997 Motorola Midwest Regional]] in Chicago, Illinois, [[1997nh\|1997 DEKA New England Regional]] in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the [[1997nj\|1997 Johnson and Johnson Mid-Atlantic Regional]] in New Brunswick, New Jersey as well as the [[1997cmp\|1997 National Championship]] at the EPCOT Center at Disney World. Promotional material often referred to the game as simply "The Competition" or "The Competition 1997," and the first team update asked for game name suggestions. A second regional in New England had also been considered this year<ref name="autodesk">[https://web.archive.org/web/19961220201136/http://www.autodesk.com/ebd/fall96/ebdf9602.htm Calling All Teams: FIRST Is Just Around the Corner]</ref>.		Competition season consisted of three regional events, the [[1997il\|1997 Motorola Midwest Regional]] in Chicago, Illinois, [[1997nh\|1997 DEKA New England Regional]] in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the [[1997nj\|1997 Johnson and Johnson Mid-Atlantic Regional]] in New Brunswick, New Jersey as well as the [[1997cmp\|1997 National Championship]] at the EPCOT Center at Disney World. Promotional material often referred to the game as simply "The Competition" or "The Competition 1997," and the first team update asked for game name suggestions. A second regional in New England had also been considered this year<ref name="autodesk">[https://web.archive.org/web/19961220201136/http://www.autodesk.com/ebd/fall96/ebdf9602.htm Calling All Teams: FIRST Is Just Around the Corner]</ref>.

Fallinsideahole at 17:12, 8 February 2026

2026-02-08T17:12:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:12, 8 February 2026
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	}}		}}

	The 1997 FIRST Robotics Competition season formally began on		The 1997 FIRST Robotics Competition season formally began with the [[kickoff#1997]] event on Saturday, January 11, 1997.
	Competition season consisted of three regional events, the [[1997il\|1997 Motorola Midwest Regional]] in Chicago, Illinois, [[1997nh\|1997 DEKA New England Regional]] in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the [[1997nj\|1997 Johnson and Johnson Mid-Atlantic Regional]] in New Brunswick, New Jersey as well as the [[1997cmp\|1997 National Championship]] at the EPCOT Center at Disney World. Promotional material often referred to the game as simply "The Competition" or "The Competition 1997," and the first team update asked for game name suggestions. A second regional in New England had also been considered this year<ref name="autodesk">[https://web.archive.org/web/19961220201136/http://www.autodesk.com/ebd/fall96/ebdf9602.htm Calling All Teams: FIRST Is Just Around the Corner]</ref>.		Competition season consisted of three regional events, the [[1997il\|1997 Motorola Midwest Regional]] in Chicago, Illinois, [[1997nh\|1997 DEKA New England Regional]] in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the [[1997nj\|1997 Johnson and Johnson Mid-Atlantic Regional]] in New Brunswick, New Jersey as well as the [[1997cmp\|1997 National Championship]] at the EPCOT Center at Disney World. Promotional material often referred to the game as simply "The Competition" or "The Competition 1997," and the first team update asked for game name suggestions. A second regional in New England had also been considered this year<ref name="autodesk">[https://web.archive.org/web/19961220201136/http://www.autodesk.com/ebd/fall96/ebdf9602.htm Calling All Teams: FIRST Is Just Around the Corner]</ref>.

Fallinsideahole at 15:48, 8 February 2026

2026-02-08T15:48:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:48, 8 February 2026
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	The 1997 FIRST Robotics Competition season formally began on		The 1997 FIRST Robotics Competition season formally began on
	Competition season consisted of three regional events, the [[1997il\|1997 Motorola Midwest Regional]] in Chicago, Illinois, [[1997nh\|1997 DEKA New England Regional]] in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the [[1997nj\|1997 Johnson and Johnson Mid-Atlantic Regional]] in New Brunswick, New Jersey as well as the [[1997cmp\|1997 National Championship]] at the EPCOT Center at Disney World. Promotional material often referred to the game as simply "The Competition" or "The Competition 1997," and the first team update asked for game name suggestions.		Competition season consisted of three regional events, the [[1997il\|1997 Motorola Midwest Regional]] in Chicago, Illinois, [[1997nh\|1997 DEKA New England Regional]] in Manchester, New Hampshire, and the [[1997nj\|1997 Johnson and Johnson Mid-Atlantic Regional]] in New Brunswick, New Jersey as well as the [[1997cmp\|1997 National Championship]] at the EPCOT Center at Disney World. Promotional material often referred to the game as simply "The Competition" or "The Competition 1997," and the first team update asked for game name suggestions. A second regional in New England had also been considered this year<ref name="autodesk">[https://web.archive.org/web/19961220201136/http://www.autodesk.com/ebd/fall96/ebdf9602.htm Calling All Teams: FIRST Is Just Around the Corner]</ref>.

	This year was the first year that teams were required to display their team number on their robot. Team numbers for 1997 were generated by alphabetizing the list of teams by sponsor and school and assigning them in order. The same process was done again in [[1998]] but then locked in for those teams going forward, meaning many teams competed under different numbers in 1997. More information about pre-1998 team numbers is available [[Old team numbers\|here]].		This year was the first year that teams were required to display their team number on their robot. Team numbers for 1997 were generated by alphabetizing the list of teams by sponsor and school and assigning them in order. The same process was done again in [[1998]] but then locked in for those teams going forward, meaning many teams competed under different numbers in 1997. More information about pre-1998 team numbers is available [[Old team numbers\|here]].

Fallinsideahole: /* Partial game manual and team updates */

2026-02-02T03:54:49Z

Partial game manual and team updates

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:54, 2 February 2026
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	==Documentation==		==Documentation==
	===Partial game manual and team updates===		===Partial game manual and team updates===
	<pdf>~~https~~:~~//www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/images/e/e8/1997_Game_Manual_%28partial%29~~.pdf</pdf>{{TKHref}}<br>		<pdf>File:1997 Game Manual (partial).pdf</pdf>{{TKHref}}<br>
	[https://www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/index.php/File:1997_Team_Updates.pdf Team Updates]<ref name=tkh />		[https://www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/index.php/File:1997_Team_Updates.pdf Team Updates]<ref name=tkh />

	===Other official documents===		===Other official documents===
	[https://www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/index.php/File:1997_Building_Your_Team.PDF Building Your Team]<ref name=tkh />		[https://www.frcarchive.com/frcwiki/index.php/File:1997_Building_Your_Team.PDF Building Your Team]<ref name=tkh />

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:24, 6 March 2026
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	File:44428 - 1997 control system kit of parts.png\|The robot controller with [[BASIC Stamp]] in the 1997 [[kit of parts]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/44428]		File:44428 - 1997 control system kit of parts.png\|The robot controller with [[BASIC Stamp]] in the 1997 [[kit of parts]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/44428]
	File:3660 - 1997 control system dean kamen kickoff woodie flowers.jpg\|[[Dean Kamen]] and [[Woodie Flowers]] with the control system at [[kickoff]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3660]		File:3660 - 1997 control system dean kamen kickoff woodie flowers.jpg\|[[Dean Kamen]] and [[Woodie Flowers]] with the control system at [[kickoff]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3660]
	File:3637 - 1997 1997frc31 build control system frc45 robot.jpg\|[[frc45\|Team 45]] wiring the 1997 control system, showing an RNet radio plugged into the BASIC Stamp receiver box, two drill battery holders, two drill motors, and two Tekin speed controllers [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3441]		File:3637 - 1997 1997frc31 build control system frc45 robot.jpg\|[[frc45\|Team 45]] wiring the 1997 control system, showing an [[RNet]] radio plugged into the BASIC Stamp receiver box, two drill battery holders, two drill motors, and two Tekin speed controllers [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3441]
	File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]		File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]
	</gallery>		</gallery>

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:18, 6 March 2026
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	File:44428 - 1997 control system kit of parts.png\|The robot controller with [[BASIC Stamp]] in the 1997 [[kit of parts]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/44428]		File:44428 - 1997 control system kit of parts.png\|The robot controller with [[BASIC Stamp]] in the 1997 [[kit of parts]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/44428]
	File:3660 - 1997 control system dean kamen kickoff woodie flowers.jpg\|[[Dean Kamen]] and [[Woodie Flowers]] with the control system at [[kickoff]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3660]		File:3660 - 1997 control system dean kamen kickoff woodie flowers.jpg\|[[Dean Kamen]] and [[Woodie Flowers]] with the control system at [[kickoff]] [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3660]
	File:3637 - 1997 1997frc31 build control system frc45 robot.jpg\|[[frc45\|Team 45]] wiring the 1997 control system, showing an RNet radio plugged into the receiver box, two drill battery holders, two drill motors, and two Tekin speed controllers [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3441]		File:3637 - 1997 1997frc31 build control system frc45 robot.jpg\|[[frc45\|Team 45]] wiring the 1997 control system, showing an RNet radio plugged into the BASIC Stamp receiver box, two drill battery holders, two drill motors, and two Tekin speed controllers [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/3441]
	File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]		File:45584 - 1997 control system.jpg\|1997 transmit board [https://www.frcarchive.com/index.php?q=post/view/45584]
	</gallery>		</gallery>