2015-2016 FIRST® Tech Challenge

Field Configuration Guide

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Revision History
Revision Date Description
1 10/8/2015 Initial Release
1.1 10/15/2015  Clarifications to who runs the Match Timer under “Using the Match Timer Display” Section
 If Teams use Armbands to manage Drivers Station Android device, must not be used
during autonomous
 Added “Drivers Station Customization for Teams” section
 Updated pictures of field orientation
1.2 11/23/2015 Links updated to www.firstinspires.org and Branding updates

Contents
Match Timer Display .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Scoring System Download and Installation .................................................................................................... 3
Field Set Up ................................................................................................................................................... 6
Using the Match Display Timer ...................................................................................................................... 6
Stands for Driver Station.................................................................................................................................... 7
Alternative Stands .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Drivers Station Customization for Teams ....................................................................................................... 8
Feedback ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Referee Question Box ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Entering and Exiting the Field – FIRST® RES-Q℠ ............................................................................................ 10
Team Access to the Field – Robot Placement .............................................................................................. 10
Volunteer Access to the Field....................................................................................................................... 11

Revision 1.2 November 23, 2015

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Match Timer Display

A Match Timer Display has been integrated into the Scoring System to be used as a visual and audible aid to
Teams on where they are in a Match. Even though the Match Timer Display is integrated into the Scoring
System, the two roles are independent of one another.

Equipment and Program Needed

 Laptop/Netbook
o Copy of the current Scoring System installed
 Field Display Monitor
 Power
o For Laptop
o For Monitor
 VGA or video cable
o To connect the laptop to the monitor
 Speakers

Scoring System Download and Installation

The Scoring System will require Java 1.7 or higher. The application can be downloaded from:
 www.java.com
The Scoring Software is available for download from:
 http://www.firstinspires.org/node/5146. To install the software, unzip the downloaded file into the folder
of your choice. FIRST suggests that users save the file to the computer’s desktop to easily access the
program. The software will be run from this directory.

After
downloading Once the
the software files have
from the been
website, you extracted, a
will need to new icon
unzip the file. should
Right click appear.
the zipped Double click
file, and this icon to
extract the open the file.
files.
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To run the
system, double
click the
“FTCScoring”
executable Jar
File. This will
open up the
main page of
the Scoring
System.

To run the Match Timer Display, click on the “Match Timer Display” button from the main Scoring system page.

In order to fit the Match Timer Display to the monitor it will be projected onto, select the appropriate screen
resolution.

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Next make sure “Control Shot Clock Here” is selected, type in the name of the Event, and click “OK”.

After clicking “OK”, the Match Timer Display will appear, along with the Match Timer control box.
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Field Set Up
The following diagram illustrates where the Match Timer Display table should be placed on the Field. This
ensures that the Teams are able to see the clock and hear the timer sounds for each period of the Match.

Using the Match Display Timer

The Match Timer Display Volunteer will work with the Game Announcer to start the clock as the Game
Announcer announces the “3-2-1-GO!” countdown. The Volunteer will click the “Start” button on the Match
Timer control box to start the clock. A separate Volunteer does not need to be recruited for this position; this
can be done by a Referee, Head Referee, FTA, or Field Reset Volunteer.

There should be a Scorekeeper running the Scoring System and entering scores. The person running the
Match Timer Display will NOT need to enter scores; rather they will only need to start the Timer at the
beginning of each match and at the beginning of the Driver-Controlled period of the Match.

Important Note: For the 2015-2016 season game, the clock will sound 10 seconds into the Match to let
Teams know they can now cross the center line on the Field (Please see rule <GS5> in the Game
Manual Part II).

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Stands for Driver Station

With the introduction of the Android platform, the FTC Competition Field will now have the added component of
the Driver Station along with the gamepads for each Team. Since the two Drivers on each Team will need to
hold their gamepads when competing, there is a need for solutions on where Teams can place their Driver
Station. This section provides a recommendation (not a requirement) for a solution to placement of the Driver’s
Station.

The following components have been reused from the 2014-2015 FTC Game CASCADE EFFECT. If you do
not have left over components, you can purchase a stand for $12 from the AndyMark website.

Components needed to make one stand:

Although not required, Affiliate
 Two Cascade Effect pentagon bases (no steel ball bearings, Partners or Event Directors can
no caps). choose to use the Red and Blue
 One Ziploc bag. goals to match the Alliance
 Ten steel balls (from the bases used on Cascade Effect). color.
 One clear tube from the Cascade Effect tall mobile goal.

Directions:

 Put 10 steel balls into a Ziploc bag.

 Put clear 875mm tube onto pentagon base, just like it fit on for the Cascade Effect game.
 Put bag of steel balls into tube (they fall down to hit the base).
 Put second pentagon base onto the other end of the tube. It will be positioned upside down.

Field Layout
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Alternative Stands
Affiliate Partners and Event Directors are encouraged to use the type of stand that works best for them and is
readily available. We encourage you to come up with creative solutions; however we also encourage you to
steer clear of using metal stands, as these could block the signal from the Driver Station to the Robot
Controller. Tables are not a viable option if they are set up in an orientation that blocks the Team’s ability to
see the Field or their Robot. This also hinders the sightlines for the FTA and Referees on the Field.

Acceptable table
orientation

It is the responsibility of the Affiliate Partner or Event Director to provide stands for Teams. Teams cannot bring
their own stands, tripods, etc. to the Competition. Teams must use the stands provided at the Event.

Drivers Station Customization for Teams

Although Teams cannot bring their own stand to the Competition Field, they are encouraged to come up with
creative ways to manage their Drivers Station components for easy transportation to and management on the
Field.

An option for teams is to use an armband made to hold the Android device. For this solution, Teams must be
aware that the FTA will first check the Field Stands if there is an issue with the Robot, before checking for the
Driver Station on the armband. Teams must also abide by the rules of the Game Manual Part II, and not touch
their Driver’s Station or joysticks during autonomous period. Therefore the armband must only be secured to a
student’s arm after the Autonomous period has concluded.

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Feedback
We’d like to hear all of your creative solutions! Please send them to ftcteams@firstinspires.org. Pictures are
always helpful!

Referee Question Box

The Referee Question Box is a place where Teams can ask questions of the Referee’s after a Match. Per Rule
<T2>b:

All questions about a Match or scores must be must be brought forward to the
Referees by using the Referee Question Box located in the Competition Area.
Only one student from an Alliance is permitted to enter the question box, and
must do so within the time period of three (3) Matches following the disputed
Match.
The Referee Question box must be placed in the Competition Area in a location
where it will not interfere with the current Matches running, but close enough that
the Referee’s will be able to see a student waiting at the Question Box. This also
needs to be easily visible and accessible to the Teams without them disrupting
Matches in play.

The Question Box can be as simple as Gaffers Tape Lines on the floor. The location of the Referee Question
box should be communicated early in the day during the Driver’s meeting.

The below diagram gives a sample placement of the Referee Question box on the Competition Field.
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Entering and Exiting the Field – FIRST® RES-Q℠

The FIRST® RES-Q℠ Field is unique in that the Field Elements sit outside of the Field Perimeter wall. There
are also zip lines running halfway across both Alliance stations on either side of the field. For these reasons it
is important to point out to Teams, FTA’s, Referees, and all other Field Personnel where the safest entry and
exits are on the Field.

Team Access to the Field – Robot Placement

Teams should enter from the front of the Field to place their Robots to ensure they do not trip over the Zip line
feature on the Field.

Debris should not be

placed on the Field
until all Robots have
been placed and
Teams/Volunteers
have left the Field.

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Volunteer Access to the Field

Volunteers should avoid these areas circled in RED. Since each ramp sits outside of the Field Perimeter,
Volunteers should avoid this area as it is a tripping hazard. Likewise they should always stay out of the general
area of the zip line to avoid a tripping hazard. Just as with Teams, the Field Volunteers should always enter the
Field from the side facing the audience.