– FIRST Tech Challenge DECODE Season Guide

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Overview
Roles Covered:Control System Advisor

Job Description
TheControl System Advisor (CSA)is a volunteer who helps teams with robot control system related
issues. The CSA works in collaboration with theFIRST Technical Advisor (FTA),Wi-Fi Technical Advisor
(WTA),Lead Robot Inspector, andRobot Inspectorswho may direct teams experiencing issues, on the
field or in the pits, to the CSA for help. This position requires a high level of technical knowledge and
people skills and is a major contributor towards assuring that all teams have a successful event. While
some smaller events combine the Control System Advisor and FIRSTTechnical Advisor responsibilities,
having separate volunteers for each role is recommended to keep the workload manageable.

Requirements
Technical
High
Physical
Medium
Administrative
Medium
Communication
High
Pre-event Training
Medium

Time Commitment
A CSA should expect to spend 6-8 hours at a full day event and 4-5 hours at a league meet.
Approximately 4-8 hours of pre-event training and planning is required.

Attire
• Comfortable closed-toe, closed-heel shoes, much of the day will involve standing and walking.
• ANSI Z87.1 certified safety glasses are required in the pit and competition areas.
• As one of the event leaders, comfortable professional wear is encouraged.

Training and Certification
Read and complete all tasks listed in thePre-Event Trainingsection.

Any volunteer who applies to a role will be able to get into the Learning Management System (LMS)
using theFIRST^® Trainingbutton. Roles with the training required will appear in the 'roles missing
certification' area. For more help, you can read moreabout how to access your training.

If you have applied for a role but have not received access to the training, please email
training@firstinspires.org. A separate confirmation of the role assignment will come later.

Control System Advisors should speak to the FIRST Technical Advisor to learn about additional
requirements, such as meetings before the event or run-throughs of the space before the event.

All Volunteers are expected to read and comply with the Volunteer Handbook.
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Roles and Responsibilities
FIRST is fun for all. The most important role of a volunteer is to provide a
safe, fun, and welcoming environment to all FIRST participants. When
executing the duties of your role, always make decisions with the team
experience in mind. Ask for help from event leadership if you feel your
required duties conflict with the best team experience.

Core Responsibilities
The Control System Advisor role is primarily responsible for the following:
• Together with the FTA, ensure FIRST^® Tech Challenge events provide an exceptional team
experience where participants feel safe and supported.
• Assist the FTA and the Wi-Fi Technical Advisor (WTA), if present, with the completion of the
wireless environment survey within the competition area and practice area.
• The CSA might be consulted to troubleshoot potential wireless issues, such as wireless
interference or possible malicious activity on the wireless spectrum.
• Assist teams and mentors by providing in-depth technical support through troubleshooting
robot electrical, software, and wireless issues.
• Help teams in the pits or in the Field queue preparing for their match, or those who have
technical issues that cannot be resolved by an FTA.
• Serve as a model for Gracious Professionalism^®.

Note: Even though the CSA’s role is to provide more in-depth support to teams and mentors than other
roles, the CSA should still prioritize issues to make sure they are addressing the most critical issues in
a timely manner to help as many teams as possible.

Core Skills
Anyone with good technical and communication skills can serve as a Control System Advisor. However,
highly successful Control System Advisors develop the following skills:
• Expert knowledge of the FIRST^® Tech Challenge control system and its components.
• Thorough understanding of Wi-Fi technology and its use in FIRST^® Tech Challenge.
• High level of problem solving.
• Active listening to students and mentors.
• Empathetic and clear communication with all volunteers and participants of all ages.

Reporting Structure
The Control System Advisor (CSA) reports directly to the FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA).

Before the Event
Pre-Event Training
Control System Advisors must complete the required reading in this section and are required to pass a
certification test prior to serving in this role. The CSA must be confident in their ability to quickly look
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up information at an event and/or seek out sources of information (FTA, Lead Robot Inspector, other
teams at an event, etc.). When it comes to troubleshooting, it absolutely takes a village.

Control System Advisor Pre-event Training
Requirement
Resource
Required
Welcome to FIRST
Required
Review the Control System Advisor Manual(this document)
Review the Competition Manual – specifically:
• Section 8 — Game Overview
Required
• Section 10 — Game Details
• Section 12 – ROBOT Construction Rules
Robot Troubleshooting Guide,which reviews common issues with
Required
the Android-based control system
Required
Robot Wiring Guide
Complete theControl System Advisor CertificationTest in the
FIRST^® Learning System
Required
(For volunteers outside of North America without a FIRST^®
Dashboard Account use thePDF to self-certify)
Competition Manual, specifically:
Encouraged
• Section 11 — Game Rules
Encouraged
Attend the optional monthly CSA Volunteer Calls
Encouraged
Watch the game animation videofor an overview of the game
Encouraged
Complete Strategies for Inspiring Success for All modules
Encouraged
Review the Wi-Fi Technical Advisor Manual
Encouraged
Review the Control Hub Troubleshooting Guide
Encouraged
Review the Driver Hub Troubleshooting Guide

Pre-Event Preparation Work
Prior to the event, the CSA should work with the FTA and, if available, the WTA regarding completing the
Wi-Fi survey and making Wi-Fi related plans for teams, such as assigning Wi-Fi channels. The FTA and
CSA should both have a full understanding of the Wi-Fi environment at an event.
Event Day
Report Time
The Event Director or Volunteer Coordinator will confirm the time you should arrive typically via email
the week before the event. In most cases this means arriving as soon as the event opens. When you
arrive on-site check-in with the Volunteer Coordinator and report to the FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA).

Suggested Event Day Equipment & Document List for the CSA
● Safety glasses are required.
● Small battery-powered flashlight or headlamp.
● Multifunction Voltmeter/Ammeter/Ohmmeter with probes.
● A pair of FTC-approved Android devices.
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o Current FIRST^® Tech Challenge Driver Station App installed on one smartphone or the REV
Driver Hub.
o Current FIRST^® Tech Challenge Robot Controller App installed on the other smartphone or
a Control Hub.
o Wi-Fi Analyzer app (available from the Google Play Store) installed on an Android
smartphone.
● Windows laptop with Android Studio, FIRST^® Tech Challenge SDK, REV Hardware Client, and an
enhanced editor like Notepad++installed.
● USB-A to Mini USB Cable.
● USB-A to Micro USB Cable.
● USB-A to USB-C Cable.
● If a computer with the REV Hardware Client is unavailable, the following items can replace some
of the functionality:
o USB flash drive with the current FIRST^® Tech Challenge Driver Station and Robot
Controller apps (.APK files)
o USB OTG adapter to allow plugging the USB flash drive into an Android device for side-
loading software.
● Hard copy or electronic copy of theCSA Manual(this document).
● Hard copy or electronic copy of theRobot Troubleshooting Guide.
● Hard copy or electronic copy of theControl Hub Troubleshooting Guide.
● Hard copy or electronic copy of theDriver Hub Troubleshooting Guide.
● Hard copy or electronic copy of theWi-Fi Event Checklist.

Set-up
Tournament set-up generally occurs on the day before the competition; however, the CSA often assists
the FTA (especially when no Wi-Fi Technical Advisor is available) with wireless environment testing
whenever possible, often on the day of the event. TheWi-Fi Technical Advisor Manualhas more
information on recommended equipment for performing the testing.

Feel free to contact the FIRST^® HQOn-Call Support Numberson the day of the event with technical
problems with setup or management of the wireless spectrum. The FIRST^® Tech Challenge Program
Delivery Partner (PDP) or the Event Director should also have the telephone number for on-call technical
support for the venue – ask for this telephone number before you need it and have it handy.

During the Event
The Control System Advisor is responsible for managing team technical support and robot triage. If
there is a robot issue on a playing field that the FTA cannot resolve in a timely manner, the team who is
experiencing the issue will be directed to the CSA for support. The CSA should work with the team away
from the competition area to help diagnose and resolve the technical issues. When problems arise, the
CSA should troubleshoot with the following guidelines:

• Ask the team to describe their robot’s unexpected behavior.
• Check the status of the robot by visual inspection of the robot, the robot controller, and the
driver station.
• Check the status of the robot by viewing the log file on the robot controller and possibly on the
driver station. Note that this might require (with the team’s permission) the CSA connect the
Android devices to a laptop.
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• Check the voltage level of the robot controller, driver station, and main robot battery.
• Check the wiring of the electronic modules.
• If necessary, look at the source code of the team’s Op Modes.
• Recommend corrective action to the team.

Consult the Robot Troubleshooting Guidefor details on the available tools that can be used to
troubleshoot a problematic robot. The CSA may spend extended time helping a team, but if there are
multiple teams who need in-depth assistance the CSA should rank the issues and try to provide support
to as many teams as possible.

One of the CSA’s responsibilities is to decide if unexpected robot behavior is caused by a problem with
the Android-based control system, robot electrical or mechanical systems, or the Wi-Fi environment. It
is important to tell the FTA and the affected team(s) once a source of a problem is identified. When
robot error is the cause of the unexpected robot behavior, it is important that the CSA explain to the
team exactly what caused the problem and if time allows suggest a course of action to fix the robot.
Spending several minutes helping a team will make a dramatic difference in the team’s event
experience. Be sure to share your findings with the team and listen to the team’s feedback, simply
listening to a team’s issue is often what is needed to calm the team and smooth over a tense time in
their event experience.

One of the most important duties of the FTA is correctly diagnosing on-field robot problems and
working with the Head Referee to decide if the problems will cause a match to be replayed. The FTA
will likely consult with the WTA and/or the CSA when wireless interference is suspected. In these cases,
it is important to determine if the issue or problem can be absolutely traced back to excessive wireless
interference outside the team’s control. This is separate from team-induced failures such as low
battery conditions, robot mechanical, electrical, software, or general communication failures. If
excessive wireless interference can be verified, the FTA, WTA, and possibly the CSA must present their
case to the Head Referee as soon as possible. The Head Referee will then make a final decision on the
matter.

Team Interaction and Support
When interacting with teams please always consider the team’s perspective. The teams have put
significant time and effort into preparing for this event and may be feeling very stressed about
everything working out as they have planned. Today is a very big deal for the team and we are here to
help!

While it is our job to help guide the teams to a successful event, it is their responsibility to follow the
rules and be on time for judging and matches.

If you feel there is an issue with an individual or individuals from a team that warrants specific
intervention beyond just a kind reminder, please escalate your concern to the FTA.
Note: the only person at an event who can give an official warning or
issue a yellow/red card is the head referee. Please refer these more
severe issues to the head referee and notify the program delivery partner.

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Be cautious about passing on any negative feedback about any teams directly to the Judges or Judge
Advisor(JA), because it is not possible to know all the contributing factors around such a complaint or
observation. The judge advisor may seek feedback from the Event Director to determine if there is any
relevant information to provide the judges for their evaluation process.

Teams may only be completely disqualified from awards consideration for very rare egregious actions
and only with approval from FIRST^® HQ. The event director and/or JA should call the on-call number to
discuss the issue.

Safety
An important priority for all volunteers is to observe their event areas to help promote a safe and
orderly space for all the participants. It is likely that various volunteers and event participants will bring
concerns to your attention, but you should also be proactive in identifying areas of concern.

Prioritize working with the teams to help identify and correct potential safety issues in the area. Please
review the section aboutDuring the Event
The Control System Advisor is responsible for managing team technical support and robot triage. If
there is a robot issue on a playing field that the FTA cannot resolve in a timely manner, the team who is
experiencing the issue will be directed to the CSA for support. The CSA should work with the team away
from the competition area to help diagnose and resolve the technical issues. When problems arise, the
CSA should troubleshoot with the following guidelines:

• Ask the team to describe their robot’s unexpected behavior.
• Check the status of the robot by visual inspection of the robot, the robot controller, and the
driver station.
• Check the status of the robot by viewing the log file on the robot controller and possibly on the
driver station. Note that this might require (with the team’s permission) the CSA connect the
Android devices to a laptop.
• Check the voltage level of the robot controller, driver station, and main robot battery.
• Check the wiring of the electronic modules.
• If necessary, look at the source code of the team’s Op Modes.
• Recommend corrective action to the team.

Consult the Robot Troubleshooting Guide for details on the available tools that can be used to
troubleshoot a problematic robot. The CSA may spend extended time helping a team, but if there are
multiple teams who need in-depth assistance the CSA should rank the issues and try to provide support
to as many teams as possible.

One of the CSA’s responsibilities is to decide if unexpected robot behavior is caused by a problem with
the Android-based control system, robot electrical or mechanical systems, or the Wi-Fi environment. It
is important to tell the FTA and the affected team(s) once a source of a problem is identified. When
robot error is the cause of the unexpected robot behavior, it is important that the CSA explain to the
team exactly what caused the problem and if time allows suggest a course of action to fix the robot.
Spending several minutes helping a team will make a dramatic difference in the team’s event
experience. Be sure to share your findings with the team and listen to the team’s feedback, simply
listening to a team’s issue is often what is needed to calm the team and smooth over a tense time in
their event experience.
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One of the most important duties of the FTA is correctly diagnosing on-field robot problems and
working with the Head Referee to decide if the problems will cause a match to be replayed. The FTA
will likely consult with the WTA and/or the CSA when wireless interference is suspected. In these cases,
it is important to determine if the issue or problem can be absolutely traced back to excessive wireless
interference outside the team’s control. This is separate from team-induced failures such as low
battery conditions, robot mechanical, electrical, software, or general communication failures. If
excessive wireless interference can be verified, the FTA, WTA, and possibly the CSA must present their
case to the Head Referee as soon as possible. The Head Referee will then make a final decision on the
matter.

Team Interaction and Supportfor the best ways to work with teams on making changes.

Safety Glasses and Closed Toe Shoes
All volunteers, teams, coach/mentors, and spectators are required to have safety glasses and wear
closed toe shoes while in the pit and competition areas. It is important to watch out for anyone entering
these areas without proper personal protective Equipment (PPE) and to ask them to put on proper PPE
before entering. Some events will have volunteers staffed at the pit entrance with spare safety glasses
to pass out. Other events may not have spares to provide.

Pit Spaces
Specific rules governing what teams can have and do in their pit space are covered in the game
manual, but the Event Director may add additional restrictions which must be published before the
event based on limitations set by the venue. If you are concerned about issues you see in the pit area
please notify Pit Admin and they can work with the Event Director to look into the issue.

End of the Day
At the end of the day, the CSA should check in with the FTA and determine if there are any event details
that should be captured in a final event summary, such as interesting issues that should be reported to
FIRST^® HQ or suggestions for other events and other CSA’s. Otherwise, walk away from the event
knowing you have done your absolute best to be an exemplary role model and provided in-depth
technical support to ensure that the competition ran as smoothly as possible for all teams. These are
the most important goals of the CSA position.

After the Event
It is not uncommon for the FTA and the CSA to collaborate on an event summary to present to FIRST^®
HQ or to other CSA’s either on the FTC Technology Slackor themonthly volunteer webinars.Discuss
this with the FTA.

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Important Tools
Public Schedule
The Program Delivery Partner or the Event Director should publish the public schedule of events before
the event. This schedule will have a high-level overview of all the activities for the event. It is important
that everyone at the event does their best to stay true to the public schedule so that teams and
volunteers who have planned their day around these times have a good experience.

Time
Agenda
7:15 am
Doors Open for Staff & Key Volunteers
7:30 am
Judges and Inspectors Report
8:00 am
Doors Open for Teams
8:30 am
Judging & Inspection Commences
10:15 am
Team Check-in Hard Deadline (Check the Competition Manual)
Match schedule is generated and distributed to teams. (Check the Competition Manual)
10:30 am
Note to Scorekeeper: 6 Matches total(Check the Competition Manual)
10:40 am
Drivers’ Meeting with Head Referee & Opening Ceremony
Qualification Matches 1 - 8
11:00 am
Note to Scorekeeper: 7-minute cycle-time
12:00 pm
Lunch
Qualification Matches 9 - 45
12:45 pm
Note to Scorekeeper: 5-minute cycle-times
3:50 pm
Qualification Matches Projected End
4:00 pm
Alliance Selection
4:20 pm
Double Elimination Rounds 1 - 4
5:10 pm
Award Ceremonies Start & Double Eliminations Round 5
6:20 pm
Projected End of Event
7:00 pm
Doors Close
Occasionally things that happen out of the event’s control may impact the schedule. In these cases,
work closely with the Event Director to understand the updated agenda.
Figure 1: Example Schedule for a 30 Team Event

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Registered Teams List
The Program Delivery Partner may provide a list of teams registered for the event or the scorekeeper
can export a report of all the registered teams for the event. Sometimes this list may change the day of
the event based on which teams show up. The Scorekeeper report will have the most accurate
information about who is competing at an event. Notes that teams may be competing only in the
judging portion of the event and not have a robot present.
Figure 2: Competing Team Report

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Figure 3: Example Event Map
Match Schedule
The match list will be generated on the day of the event after the teams have been confirmed. This
schedule will list which teams will play in which alliance (Red or Blue) and it will also list a match start
time. Some events will have more than one competition field. Some events will have more than one
division, in which case each division will have its own schedule.

Figure 4: Example Match Schedule

Pit Map
Pit maps are typically provided by either the Event Director or by the Scorekeeper. Having a map of
where each team is in the pit is key, as teams, parents or Queuers might need to find. Pit Maps created
in FTC Scoring will appear on the FTC-Eventspage.

Figure 5: Example Pit Map for a small12-team Qualifier Event

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Figure 6: Example Pit Map for a Typical Regional Championship Event

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Useful Links and Information
On-Call Support Numbers
On-Call Support
These numbers are for volunteer support only. Teams should not use these numbers
to call about rulings or technical assistance.

Administrative, Judge, Referee and Non-Technical Issues:
(603)206-2412

Scoring System (FTC Live) or other Technical Issues:

(603)206-2450
Call or use the built-in chat feature on FTC Live

Pre-Event Support
Mon – Fri
8:30am – 5:00pm Eastern Time (UTC-4 or UTC-5)
Phone:
(603)666-3906
Email:
firsttechchallenge@firstinspires.org

Program Resources
FIRST^® Tech Challenge Website
Event Search

Game and Season Resources
FIRST^® Tech Challenge Blog

Volunteer Resources
Team Email Blasts

Feedback
We strive to create support materials that are the best they can be. If you have feedback about this
manual, please emailfirsttechchallenge@firstinspires.org. Thank you!

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Document Outline

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