Detector Building C

[jinhusong]

That's just my strict interpretation of the rules. I don't actually have any idea if it would be allowed, since they made up a term ("preset program library") that does not have a definition. I would think that graphics libraries are not "preset," but their response proves otherwise. At this point, I'm just assuming that they are requiring that you put your entire program code in exactly one file. They might be pushing us to use the TI Innovator kits or whatever that comes with graphics functions in its own language... Although this brings up an interesting question: Can you make your own programming language that includes whatever open-source libraries you need as native features?

I don't think that is their intention per se. I think they are trying to warn you off using some sort of predefined library that handles temperature calculations etc, not some string handling function.

Agree with YeagerTheCat. Those are for temperature calculations from voltage. You can use Arduino with LCD display module and all their libs. For example, a NTC thermistor, you can use laptop to calculate the Steinhart–Hart equation (or something you come up with your own) coefficients and put them into your code, but not allowed to use the whole look-up-table coming with the sensor.

[TapuCosmo]

That's just my strict interpretation of the rules. I don't actually have any idea if it would be allowed, since they made up a term ("preset program library") that does not have a definition. I would think that graphics libraries are not "preset," but their response proves otherwise. At this point, I'm just assuming that they are requiring that you put your entire program code in exactly one file. They might be pushing us to use the TI Innovator kits or whatever that comes with graphics functions in its own language... Although this brings up an interesting question: Can you make your own programming language that includes whatever open-source libraries you need as native features?

I don't think that is their intention per se. I think they are trying to warn you off using some sort of predefined library that handles temperature calculations etc, not some string handling function.

Why did they say that my examples (graphics library, serial comms library) were banned then?

[lindsmaurer]

That's just my strict interpretation of the rules. I don't actually have any idea if it would be allowed, since they made up a term ("preset program library") that does not have a definition. I would think that graphics libraries are not "preset," but their response proves otherwise. At this point, I'm just assuming that they are requiring that you put your entire program code in exactly one file. They might be pushing us to use the TI Innovator kits or whatever that comes with graphics functions in its own language... Although this brings up an interesting question: Can you make your own programming language that includes whatever open-source libraries you need as native features?

I don't think that is their intention per se. I think they are trying to warn you off using some sort of predefined library that handles temperature calculations etc, not some string handling function.

Why did they say that my examples (graphics library, serial comms library) were banned then?

I can't find any FAQ that specifically mentions any libraries. Maybe they changed the wording?
Anyway, I'd just like to note that we're at 21 FAQ's, many contradictory and even self-contradictory.

[pepperonipi]

I don't think that is their intention per se. I think they are trying to warn you off using some sort of predefined library that handles temperature calculations etc, not some string handling function.

Why did they say that my examples (graphics library, serial comms library) were banned then?

I can't find any FAQ that specifically mentions any libraries. Maybe they changed the wording?
Anyway, I'd just like to note that we're at 21 FAQ's, many contradictory and even self-contradictory.

I'd think that them banning libraries such as the LiquidCrystal library is not what they meant to do, but he/she literally provided examples stating "graphics library" and "serial comms library". Those libraries are directly related to the output of the code.

I checked the FAQ section right after TapuCosmo posted his original post and didn't see exactly the message he got on the FAQ page, so I assume they maybe emailed him or something? Would make since as their answer was basically "we already said this" and the message he posted included something about responding.

And yes, I think it's fair to say that this event was not ready for deployment. But we're stuck with it now. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[YeagerTheCat]

Why did they say that my examples (graphics library, serial comms library) were banned then?

I can't find any FAQ that specifically mentions any libraries. Maybe they changed the wording?
Anyway, I'd just like to note that we're at 21 FAQ's, many contradictory and even self-contradictory.

I'd think that them banning libraries such as the LiquidCrystal library is not what they meant to do, but he/she literally provided examples stating "graphics library" and "serial comms library". Those libraries are directly related to the output of the code.

I checked the FAQ section right after TapuCosmo posted his original post and didn't see exactly the message he got on the FAQ page, so I assume they maybe emailed him or something? Would make since as their answer was basically "we already said this" and the message he posted included something about responding.

And yes, I think it's fair to say that this event was not ready for deployment. But we're stuck with it now. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I went and did a quick scan of the FAQ and I didn't see anything about specific libraries. If you are using an arduino then you are going to use some libaries to get anything done. I am fairly certain they really don't want you pulling some thermistor library from somwhere that has inbuilt ADC access and calibration and steinhart etc, but are ok with using some serial to talk to a screen (or whatever interface).

I do understand their conundrum to an extent as they know the people running the events will have trouble working out what is prefab and precooked as to what is not. Having said that it would have been a hugely fun third world war of circuit stuff if they had just allowed external PCBs with surface mount components. Maybe next year

[TapuCosmo]

Yes, they replied to me in an email. I'm curious if email replies are considered official rulings on the rules though, since they are not public. If they're not official, then we can probably argue around it if an ES prohibits it.

[lindsmaurer]

Yes, they replied to me in an email. I'm curious if email replies are considered official rulings on the rules though, since they are not public. If they're not official, then we can probably argue around it if an ES prohibits it.

I checked with my coach and emails are NOT valid until it is in a public FAQ or rule clarification. Otherwise the email means absolutely nothing.

[ericlepanda]

Having said that it would have been a hugely fun third world war of circuit stuff if they had just allowed external PCBs with surface mount components. Maybe next year

this would definitely make detector a more interesting event. Right now there just aren't creative ways to approach the problem of temperature sensing due to the restrictions in the FAQ section -- everyone basically has to go with a thermistor and try to just calibrate it as well as possible. It would also be great if we weren't allowed to use laptops during the build test. That way, people would actually have to find creative ways to allow their device to work without having to rewrite the code in competition. Unfortunately, the FAQs prohibit calculating Steinhart-Hart coefficients with the microcontroller, so we're basically forced to go in with a laptop and a calculator and manually calibrate the thermistor.

[caitinq3]

Hi everyone. So I’m just picking up this event and I don’t really have much background in any of this stuff other than coding. Any idea on where to start?

[MTV<=>Operator]

I just tested my device in freezing water and then boiling water to make a new calibration equation. I was able to record voltage readings for both temperatures, but upon removing the sensor from the boiling water, it began reading temperatures around 75 C for room temperature. If I let it rest, it goes back down to normal, but just moving the sensor causes it to shoot up to 60-80 C. What could be a reason for this? I am using an LM35 temperature sensor which is waterproofed with heat shrinks and clear nail polish.