FORT Robotics API: Core Concepts

Welcome to the FORT Robotics API! Our platform provides safety and control solutions for robotic systems. This guide covers the fundamental concepts you'll need to get started.

Senders and Receivers

The primary safety mechanism is built around Senders and Receivers.

Sender

A device, such as a wireless remote or an e-stop button, that transmits safety signals.

Receiver

A device connected directly to a robot's control system. It listens for signals from its paired Sender.

When a Receiver gets a safety signal (e.g., an e-stop command) from its designated Sender, it immediately cuts power or signal to its pre-defined outputs, safely halting the machine's operation.

Global E-Stops

A Global E-Stop is configured to transmit its safety signal to all connected devices on a secondary configuration (typically an IP configuration). This allows a single E-Stop to simultaneously halt operations for all configured receivers.

Configurations

A Configuration is a foundational entity in our system. It logically groups your devices and defines their communication and behavior settings. Each configuration specifies:

ISM Settings: If your devices communicate over the ISM radio band, the configuration defines parameters like transmit power, channel, and configuration Id.

CAN Settings: For devices on a CAN bus, the configuration configures settings such as baud rate, message IDs, and CAN mode.

Output Mapping: A configuration dictates which specific outputs on a Receiver will be controlled by a Sender within that same configuration.