Programming Level 3 - Advanced Systems Integration

Learning Objective

Design robot software using an IO-abstraction layer that isolates hardware access behind an interface (the pattern top teams like 6328's AdvantageKit use, enabling simulation and log replay), add telemetry/data logging and unit tests to that code, integrate a vision coprocessor (PhotonVision or Limelight) for target tracking, create advanced autonomous behaviors with dynamic trajectory generation, and lead cross-functional integration with mechanical and electrical systems. This level typically takes a full season and centers on a capstone project reviewed and signed off by a mentor -- this is where students move from following instructions to operating independently and making informed architecture tradeoffs.

Prerequisites

• Programming Level 2 - Robot Control Systems
• Electrical Level 2 - Robot Electronics

Primary Resources

• Littleton Robotics (6328): AdvantageKit
• WPILib: Telemetry
• WPILib: Unit Testing
• PhotonVision documentation
• Limelight documentation

Tasks

1. Software Architecture & Telemetry

   • Isolate hardware access behind an IO interface (an IO-abstraction layer)
   • Add telemetry/data logging to robot code
   • Replay a logged match in simulation using logged inputs
   • Manage complex state transitions

2. Testing Practices

   • Write unit tests for subsystem code that run in simulation
   • Participate in a code review as both author and reviewer

3. Vision Processing

   • Set up a vision coprocessor (PhotonVision or Limelight) and camera
   • Implement target detection and pose estimation
   • Develop vision-based navigation or alignment
   • Optimize vision processing latency and reliability

4. Advanced Autonomy

   • Create dynamic trajectory generation (on-the-fly path adjustments)
   • Develop multi-mode autonomous systems selectable before a match
   • Handle complex game strategies in autonomous

5. Systems Integration

   • Lead software-hardware integration with the mechanical and electrical teams
   • Develop system diagnostics using telemetry/logging
   • Document integration procedures
   • Capstone project: independently design and implement a major robot software feature (e.g. vision-guided autonomous or an IO-abstracted subsystem), reviewed and signed off by a mentor

Level 3 Completion Requirements

• Mentor-reviewed capstone software feature, independently designed, implemented, and documented
• Successfully implement a working vision system
• Demonstrate an IO-abstracted subsystem with telemetry and at least one unit test
• Lead a cross-functional integration effort with electrical/mechanical counterparts

← Back to Programming Training