learning-garden/memory/research-queue.md

growth

growth
seed

Research Queue — Fabric Growth

Active Queue

Deep Dive Hardware (minimum: LED codes + fault reference + setup + CAN config)

• SPARK Flex (REV-11-2159) — LED codes, fault reference, getting started
• CANcoder (CTR Electronics) — LED codes, fault reference, setup, CAN config
• roboRIO — LED codes, fault codes, setup, configuration
• PDH (REV Power Distribution Hub) — LED codes, fault reference, wiring guide

Device Specs (RPM, amps, torque, load)

• NEO Vortex — full specs + comparison data
• Kraken X60 — full specs + comparison data
• Falcon 500 — full specs + comparison data
• SPARK Flex — current/thermal specs
• CANcoder — electrical specs, current draw

Competition Analysis (Limelight vs PhotonVision, Vortex vs Kraken)

• Competition file: Limelight vs PhotonVision — feature comparison, pricing, ease of use, student learning curve
• Competition file: Kraken X60 vs NEO Vortex — specs, pricing, availability, integration with MK4i
• Competition file: CTRE vs REV ecosystem — motor controllers, sensors, CAN busses

Firmware/Software Update Channels (→ programming channel)

• REV Hardware Client — SPARK Flex, SPARK MAX, NEO Vortex firmware updates
• CTR Phoenix Tuner X — CANcoder, Talon FX, Pigeon 2.0, CAN bus diagnostics
• PhotonVision — Raspberry Pi image updates, AprilTag pipeline updates
• YAGSL — Java library updates, swerve control improvements
• WPILib — annual robot framework updates
• Phoenix Pro — CTR license tier, advanced features

Routing: Firmware/software updates surface via Oracle push → MrC reviews → routes to 2890-bot → posts to #programming channel. Students shouldn't miss critical updates.

Research (from keyword triggers)

• CAN bus termination best practices — deep dive on termination resistors, stubs, bus length
• ESP32 GPIO mapping for M5Stack Core — sources/play/esp32-gpio-mapping.md ✅
• Gear ratio mechanism design — training/modules/gear-ratio-mechanism-design.md ✅
• MegaTag concept — training/modules/megatag.md ✅

Surface Queue (flag when project active)

• "Temperature sensing spans Play + FRC — sensor basics training module ready for student review"

Completed (moved to wiki)

• NEO Vortex specs → sources/2890/neo-vortex-motor.md
• Canjectors system → sources/2890/canjectors.md
• MK4i gear ratios (L1/L3) → sources/2890/swerve-modules.md
• Fusion 360 training path → training/modules/fusion-360.md
• ESP32 GPIO mapping → sources/play/esp32-gpio-mapping.md
• Gear ratio selection guide → training/modules/gear-ratio-mechanism-design.md
• MegaTag vision concept → training/modules/megatag.md

Research Log

2026-05-04 — Initial setup

Keywords files created for all three silos. Growth system designed. Queue initialized with items triggered by current wiki content.

2026-05-04 PM — First research pass

Completed 5 of 6 queued items. Added hardware deep dive requirements (LED codes + fault reference as minimum baseline). Added competition comparison files for Limelight/PhotonVision and Kraken/Vortex.

2026-05-04 PM — Expanded scope

• Hardware minimum baseline: LED codes + fault reference + setup + CAN config (for all core robot hardware)
• Device specs: RPM, amps, torque, load for all motors and controllers
• Competition files: Limelight vs PhotonVision, Kraken vs Vortex, CTRE vs REV ecosystem

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Queue managed by MrC. Update when research completes or new priorities emerge.