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Add Drivers Hub to Driver Station page #391

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Expand Up @@ -17,10 +17,9 @@ Which Kit Should One Choose?

Choice of a kit is a matter of many a debate in FTC forums, and each team has their favorites. If you are a rookie team and do not have any experience with any of the kits above, we would recommend starting with a kit from either REV Robotics or goBILDA. These kits provide a good selection of parts, reliability, and value for money. They are easily expandable and great part flexibility allows for customization. Keep in mind that compatibility between kits varies and will be impacted by the unit system used.

- REV Robotics (metric) is slightly cheaper but generally has a bit higher learning curve than most other kits, as it is :term:`extrusion <Extrusion>` rather than :term:`channel <Channel>` based. :term:`Extrusion` takes more effort to work with (you need to cut aluminum extrusion to length); however, it allows for maximum design freedom and adjustability. REV is also available from the *FIRST*\ |reg| storefront, which might be convenient for teams doing their purchasing through official school procurement systems.
- goBILDA (metric) is slightly more expensive, but is easier to get started with. It has an extensive parts catalog and can be adapted to other build systems like REV. However, its price point may deter some teams with lesser budgets.
- REV Robotics (metric) is slightly cheaper but generally has a bit higher learning curve than most other kits, as it is :term:`extrusion <Extrusion>` rather than :term:`channel <Channel>` based. :term:`Extrusion` takes more effort to work with (you need to cut aluminum extrusion to length); however, it allows for maximum design freedom and adjustability. REV is also available from the *FIRST*\ |reg| storefront, which might be convenient for teams doing their purchasing through official school procurement systems.
- Tetrix (metric and imperial) is probably the simplest system to work with, but its part selection is limited, and the use of :term:`4.7mm shaft <Shaft>` with :term:`set screws <Set Screw>` is inferior to :term:`clamping hubs <Clamping Hub>` used in other systems.
- Actobotics (imperial) is similar to goBILDA, being made by the same company. As of June 2023 it is being discontinued. It has always been a solid option with reliable parts. For most FTC teams, goBILDA would probably be a better choice as it is more flexible and compatible, unless you already have a large stock of Actobotics parts.

.. attention:: While VEX also sells some parts aimed towards FTC, **Game Manual 0 cannot endorse or support any VEX Robotics/IFI (VEX's parent company) products in any manner.** We cannot in good conscience drive people to support a business with a history of extremely concerning accusations of workplace harassment, toxicity, and general behavior that does not align with the ideals of *FIRST*\ |reg|.

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48 changes: 44 additions & 4 deletions source/docs/power-and-electronics/driver-station-guide.rst
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@@ -1,13 +1,53 @@
Driver Station Guide
====================

From many years of collective experience, the writers have accumulated some general recommendations and best practices for driver stations to reduce the risk of disconnects.
The driver station is the communication point for drivers. It allows you to configure settings, configure hardware, start and stop opmodes, send gamepad data, and can receive telemetry data from the robot. There are two main different choices for a driver station, the REV Robotics Driver Hub and an Android phone.
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- A 5GHz phone is preferred over the standard 2.4GHz phone to reduce ping issues. Have you ever noticed that your team's robot seems to lag at competitions only?
REV Driver Hub
--------------

Most teams run on 2.4GHz, which means that the 2.4GHz channels will be more crowded on competition day. This can lead to noticeably higher ping/lag which adversely affects driver and robot performance.
The REV Robotics Driver Hub is effectively an Android phone with built in USB ports. It is purpose built for FTC, and contains several advantages over traditional Android phones.
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- USB and :term:`OTG <Micro USB On The Go (OTG) Cable>` connections can be a possible source of disconnects during a match. This is generally caused by poor quality connectors or adapters between the driver station and the gamepad controller. **It generally is worth it to purchase higher quality connectors as opposed to the cheapest options.**
Advantages
^^^^^^^^^^

- Full sized USB ports do not require flimsy On The Go cables
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- Charges from USB-C including fast charging Power Delivery modes
- Larger screen than many Android phones
- Case is more robust then a standard Android phone

Disadvantages:
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- Price: A Driver Hub costs $250.00, whereas legal Android phones can be purchased secondhand for less
- Power Issues: Teams have reported random losses of power coming from an improperly sized battery.
- Battery Issues: Teams have reported high battery drain in sleep mode, leading to hubs dying faster then expected
- Wifi Issues: The wifi driver will occasionally crash when the device goes to sleep, requiring a device restart

.. important::
If you purchase a Driver Hub and experience issues, refer to the `REV Driver Hub troubleshooting page <https://docs.revrobotics.com/duo-control/troubleshooting-the-control-system/driver-hub-troubleshooting>`_. The unexpected power off fix may be done pre-emptively to prevent a shutdown during a match
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Android Phones
--------------

As of 2023-2024, Android phones are still legal for competition use.

Advantages
^^^^^^^^^^

- Android phones can be very cheap when purchased secondhand
- Android phones generally are reliable out of the box

Disadvantages
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

- The lack of a full size USB A port means that flimsy On The Go cables must be used
- The phones themselves should be protected with a case to prevent damage

A 5GHz phone is preferred over the standard 2.4GHz phone to reduce ping issues. Have you ever noticed that your team's robot seems to lag at competitions only?

Most school wifi bands run on 2.4GHz, which means that the 2.4GHz channels will be more crowded on competition day. This can lead to noticeably higher ping/lag which adversely affects driver and robot performance.
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USB and :term:`OTG <Micro USB On The Go (OTG) Cable>` connections can be a possible source of disconnects during a match. This is generally caused by poor quality connectors or adapters between the driver station and the gamepad controller. **It generally is worth it to purchase higher quality connectors as opposed to the cheapest options.**
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`Recommended USB to OTG Cable <https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YOX4JU6?pf_rd_r=PY8B4WPEQRQ80XYJCMSH&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee/>`_

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