1. Global Robotics & Science Foundation
  2. Teams
  3. VEX V5
  4. Competition Fields

Connecting to the VEX V5 Competition Field

The Field Control System is the device that controls when all robots competing in a match start Autonomous Mode, and it also controls switching to Driver Control Mode.

Connect the Ethernet Cable

Field Control System is shown powered on and connected to a V5 Controller using an Ethernet cable.

The top of the V5 controller showing one of the smart ports being highlighted.

Plug the Ethernet cord from the Field Control System into the V5 Controller.

Do not connect to the center port, only to one of the smart ports on the top of the controller.

V5 Controller is shown with an attached Ethernet cable and its Power button highlighted.

Turn on the V5 Controller by pressing the power button.

V5 Robot Brain with its Power button highlighted.

Turn on the V5 Robot Brain by pressing the power button.

Controller screen is shown in the Home menu without a Brain icon in the top right corner. This indicates that the Controller is not paired to the Brain.

The look of the V5 Controller screen prior to syncing with the V5 Brain.

Controller screen is shown in the Home menu with a signal strength icon and a Brain icon in the top right corner. This indicates that the Controller is connected to the Brain.

The radio signal icon will display in the top right corner of the screen while the V5 Brain and V5 Controller are connecting.

Once the V5 Brain and V5 Controller are connected, the radio signal icon will display signal strength in the top right corner of the screen.

NOTE: If needed, read the How to Pair the V5 Controller to the Robot Brain article from this VEX Library.

Start the Competition Program

Controller is shown in the Program menu with the user's competition program selected. The Run button is highlighted.

Start running your competition program on the V5 Brain. Do not disconnect your V5 Controller from the Field Control System during the match.

NOTE: If needed, read How to Run a User Program through the V5 Controller. A program can also be selected via the screen on the V5 Robot Brain. If needed, read How to Run a User Program through the V5 Robot Brain.

Troubleshooting

If you followed the steps above but your V5 Brain and V5 Controller still are not connecting, please try the following:

Competition Control Indicators

Controller screen is shown in the Home menu with a signal strength icon and a Brain icon in the top right corner. There is also a Pause icon in the top right corner, indicating that the system is currently in Disabled Mode.

Disabled Mode: A Pause icon will appear when the V5 system is currently in Disabled mode.

Controller screen is shown in the Home menu with a signal strength icon and a Brain icon in the top right corner. There is also a Code icon in the top right corner, indicating that the system is currently in Autonomous Mode.

Autonomous Mode: A Code icon will appear when the V5 system is currently in Autonomous mode.

Controller screen is shown in the Home menu with a signal strength icon and a Brain icon in the top right corner. There is also a Play icon in the top right corner, indicating that the system is currently in Driver Control Mode.

Driver Control Mode: A Play icon will appear when the V5 system is currently in Driver Control mode.

Using Multiple Controllers

One V5 Controller is shown connected to another V5 Controller using a Smart Cable, and that Controller is connected to the Field Control using an Ethernet Cable.

Plug the field control Ethernet cable into the primary controller (bottom photo).

Plug one end of a smart cable into the primary controller (either port with the "#" icon will work).

Plug the other end of the smart cable into the secondary controller (either port with the "#" icon will work).

Power on the primary V5 Controller.

Power on the secondary V5 Controller.

Power on the V5 Brain.

V5 Radio LED Statuses

Mounted and wired V5 Robot Radio is shown on a V5 robot. In this example, the Radio's LED lights are solid red.

Notice the color of the LED lights on the V5 Radio to gather information about the status of your robot.

  • A solid red LED indicates:
    • There is no radio connection between the V5 Brain and V5 Controller.

Mounted and wired V5 Robot Radio is shown on a V5 robot. In this example, the Radio's LED lights are flashing red.

A flashing red LED indicates: 

  • An active connection between the V5 Brain and V5 Controller.
  • The V5 Controller is not plugged into a field control system or the V5 Brain is not running a user program.

Mounted and wired V5 Robot Radio is shown on a V5 robot. In this example, the Radio's LED lights are flashing green.

A flashing green LED indicates:

  • An active connection between the V5 Brain and V5 Controller.
  • The V5 Controller is plugged into a field control system.
  • The V5 Brain is running a user program.

Last Updated: