WindRiver

By: Haowei Zheng (hw2zheng)

##Intro

Even though FRC has stopped sponsoring WindRiver, it can still be installed on new computers and used for programming. It mostly used by newer programmers to practice on older bots while the build team is busy working on the current robot. Since the programming techniques are very similar year to year, it is recommended that inexperienced programmers do some practice using WindRiver on older robots. For example, the RoboRaven's first robot, the Frisbee Throwing Bot, is an excellent practice bot as it provides a simple challenge for beginners and is incredibly reliable.

##Installing WindRiver

Your supervising teacher should have a copy of WindRiver from previous years. There are two disks, labeled Disk 1 and Disk 2, which must be installed in order.

Complete, comprehensive instructions for WindRiver installation can be found here: Installing WindRiver

It is not necessary to rewrite all the steps, as these instructions are very clearly written. Simply CTRL+F "Windows 7" in order to find the installation instructions relevant to the installation.

After following these instructions and completing the installation, one will find that the WindRiver license that comes with the CD has expired! Fortunately, a Mitel sponsor has provided us with a valid permanent license. This license can be found on any computer running a functional copy of WindRiver. One of these computers is the Classmate, a tiny laptop provided by FIRST to act as the main driver station (below).

##Once the Classmate has been retrieved, plug in a USB stick and open "My Computer". Once it is open, double click to open the C: Drive.

##Once the C: Drive is open, there will be a folder named "WindRiver". Double click on this to access the WindRiver program files.

##After this, click on "License". This will take you to the WindRiver License which will allow you to use this IDE.

##The license, shown below, is "zwrsLicense.lic", which can be copied into any computer with WindRiver installed.

In order to use this license, simply copy and paste this file onto any USB flash drive, and transfer it to the computer you would like validated. Copy and paste this file into the same folder on your computer as the one you found it on, and delete the other invalid license.

My Computer->C: Drive-> WindRiver-> License-> paste

This will validate your copy of WindRiver, and allow you to use it to program older robots.

Finally, it is necessary to download and install the FRC 2014 WindRiver Update, which gives the WindRiver IDE many different functions, including the ability to deploy code to the robot. It also include many different sample programs, which can be deployed to the robot in order to test out its features. The Update pack can be downloaded here: FRC WindRiver Update

Simply download the file, extract the contents and run the .exe. This update is very dated, as WindRiver is no longer supported, but it works for all cRIO robots. If a passcode is required, 3Zones2Goals1Alliance! (including the exclamation mark!) is the unlock code required.

Basic Programming