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1. Cortex Microcontroller and VEXnet Joystick Pairing Procedure:
a. The Joystick must first be paired to the Cortex Microcontroller before they will work using the VEXnet Keys. Pairing
requires a USB A-A Cable and a VEX 7.2V Battery. This process must be completed each time you use a Joystick
or Cortex with a new mate. A Joystick can only communicate with a Cortex that it has been paired with. During the
Pairing Process, the ID from the Cortex is transferred to the Joystick; thus mating the two units together.
b. Start with the Cortex and Joystick turned OFF.
c. Connect the Cortex to the Joystick using a USB A-A Cable.
d. Connect the 7.2V Robot Battery to the Cortex.
e. Power up only the Cortex.
f. A successful tether is indicated by a Solid Green VEXnet LED on both the Joystick and the Cortex
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The Solid Green VEXnet LED must remain ON both units at the same time for a minimum of 5 seconds.
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Disregard the other LEDs as you are only interested in the VEXnet LED.
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Pairing may take up to one minute to complete.
g. Once the units have finished pairing, turn OFF the Cortex.
h. Disconnect the USB A-A Cable from both units.
i. Disconnect the 7.2V Robot Battery from the Cortex.
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Page 1 of 14
Cortex Microcontroller and VEXnet Joystick User Guide
(See Figure
Below).
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Summary of Contents for Cortex VEXnet
- Page 1 USB A-A Cable and a VEX 7.2V Battery. This process must be completed each time you use a Joystick or Cortex with a new mate. A Joystick can only communicate with a Cortex that it has been paired with. During the Pairing Process, the ID from the Cortex is transferred to the Joystick;...
- Page 2 Reinstall the battery cover (insert the two tabs of the battery cover first along the back edge of the battery cover to aid in installation) and then tighten the cover screw. Then add the VEXnet USB Key as shown.
- Page 3 Please note: when using the Joystick Power Adapter, it is not necessary to turn your Joystick ON. Also, the JOYSTICK/POWER LED can be ignored. e. Turn on the Cortex and Joystick by setting the power switches to ON as shown in the two pictures below. Page 3 of 14...
- Page 4 LEDs will change to yellow and then red. g. If the units fail to establish the VEXnet link after 30 seconds, turn them both OFF and then back ON. If they still fail to link up, refer to the Troubleshooting Flowchart in section 7.
- Page 5 Two Joystick Operation: If desired, a second Joystick can be added to allow two drivers to operate a single robot. Simply connect a second VEXnet Joystick or a Partner Joystick to your main VEXnet Joystick using a coiled handset cable plugged into the Joysticks’...
- Page 6 These motor directions will make a Protobot robot go forward when the joysticks are pushed up. Note the Jumper variations for each section. Please note: The default code for the Cortex microcontroller varies from that of the PIC microcontroller. Please review and follow the tables in this document to ensure your robot behaves in the manner you wish.
- Page 7 The Cortex may be reprogrammed with user-created code. The hardware setup for wireless downloading is shown below. For non-wireless downloading, the VEXnet keys may be substituted with a USB A-A cable. You can also download code directly to the Cortex using the USB A-A cable.
- Page 8 Cortex Microcontroller and VEXnet Joystick User Guide 5. Diagnostics Information: refer to the following chart for Joystick and Cortex LED patterns and meanings. Joystick [5] Robot VEXnet Game Medium (yellow) Initialize - Looking for PC or Tether Mate Blip (yellow)
- Page 9 Cortex Microcontroller and VEXnet Joystick User Guide 6. VEXnet Joystick Calibration Procedure: a. The Joystick must be linked to the Cortex Microcontroller using the VEXnet Keys. b. Hold the “6U” Back Switch depressed. c. While the “6U” Back Switch is depressed, use a small Allen Wrench (1/16” or smaller) or similar small straight tool to depress and hold the CONFIG Switch.
- Page 10 Start Does Check batteries and power connections. The battery connectors on the Cortex the Cortex can become bent open over time. If necessary, bend the turn on? connectors back in to ensure a solid power connection. Is the Low or missing 9v backup battery.
- Page 11 Joystick with the most recent version of the VEXnet Firmware (Master CPU Firmware for ROBOTC users). If this does not resolve the problem, try using a different set of VEXnet keys. If you need further assistance you can post a question on the VEX Forum (vexforum.com) or contact VEX Technical Support by phone at +1-903-453-0802 or email support@vexrobotics.com.
- Page 12 For additional help, that may trip if the motors pull too much current. Motor you can post a question on the ports 1- 5 on the Cortex share one 4 amp circuit breaker. Do motors VEX Forum (vexforum.com) or intermittently lose Ports 6-10 share a second 4 amp circuit breaker.
- Page 13 Cortex Microcontroller and VEXnet Joystick User Guide 10. Analog Information: Analog lines are input only and read about 0.2 volts when open. Circuit details are as follows: a. Analog input range is 0 to +5 volts. b. Analog to digital resolution is 12-bit, compiler resolution may vary.
- Page 14 The factory default Hex file does not support I2C. 17. Notes: a. Do not use a USB Hub with the Cortex or Joystick. Always make a connection directly to a PC USB port when needed. USB Hub performance is not supported.