Welcome to Controls
This is a guide for you (🫵) to get familiar with the Controls System of Longhorn Racing Solar (LHRS), also known as the University of Texas Solar Vehicle Team (UTSVT).
What is Controls?
Controls is a system (sub-team) of the Longhorn Racing Solar Organization. We specifically work on driver interactions and things that the driver will be controlling once in the car. Driver interactions include, but are not limited to, I/O of dashboard, lights, and motor.
Here are the resources dedicated for Daybreak (2022- 2024):
Controls Software
What do I need to download?
That’s a great question, New Hire! Here are some of the resources we use and why:
C: We use C. Why? It’s lightweight.
GitHub : This is a platform that allows Controls members (and all electrical members) use for code version control. You will be added to the team specific GitHub organization.
Git : A software that allows you to easily make copies and push your code to the GitHub. Here is a guide on what this all means written by our wonderful controls members.
VSCode : The IDE (Integrated Development Environment) we use.
WSL: We use WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)
Controls Hardware
What are some hardware technical things:
KiCAD: Use to make cool PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards). Here’s a good tutorial to get started. There is a starter project for y’all to get started with linked below.
CANDapter: The CANdapter is used to send simulated CAN messages for testing purposes.
STM32F4 / L4 : The microcontroller we use for current and next gen.
New Architecture: PSOM and SOM
PSOM: Peripheral System on a module
SOM: System on a module
Current Projects for Next Gen (2024 - 2026)
Current Projects for Daybreak (2022 - 2024)
Minions PCB Rework (TBD)
Dashboard PCB
Testing/ Probing through Leaderboard
Research projects
What Do I Need to Learn? And What Resources Should I Use?
Before diving into projects you will need to know how do code in C (basic stuff, pointers) and KiCAD.
Please get started on the hardware starter project: PCB Starter Project - Fan Board