Modification history:

Team Name: Killer Forwards

Team Members:

• Kristen Cannava kristenc12@hotmail.com http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~kr427356
• Rob Pescatore rp_cerberus@hotmail.com http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~rpescato
• Kip Carr darchon1100@hotmail.com http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~kicarr

Contents of this Document

The Proposed System

The current Robocup system consists of a soccerserver and a soccermonitor. The soccerserver is the device through which most of the control of the soccer game will take place; it provides the virtual field as well as the players. The soccerserver is the program through which the clients will connect to control each individual soccer player. Clients will be the ‘brains’ of the soccer players, connecting to the soccerserver and sending their commands for the players stored on the soccerserver. Each soccer team will be made up of a group of clients controlling one player apiece. The clients will receive information from the soccerserver, such as position as well as visual/audio signals. The clients will react to these given stimuli in a pre-described manor based on their code. The soccerserver will then relay all of this information; player positions, ball position, etc, to the soccermonitor.

The soccer monitor is a means of viewing the actions of the soccer players and the flow of each game. Through the soccermonitor, you will be able to view the soccer players, the ball and other important field features. The soccermonitor is a way to watch each player’s action and visually monitor the actions and decisions of the clients controlling the players, via the player’s movements onscreen. The monitor will also include a simple interface to interact with the server, for example, being able to start the game with the ‘kick off’ button.

The needs for the project are the creation of a soccer team. The team will consist of 11 players and a coach. The initial goal is for the player to be able to move about the field, and perhaps able to follow the ball. This is a simple goal, through which much can be built upon. Intermediate goals may be giving the player specific actions and behaviors based upon their positions on the field. The offensive positions will move to score on the opposite team; the defensive players will sit back and defend their goal. Perhaps at some point the players will be able to coordinate themselves into plays and react based upon the ball location and locations of the opposing players. This team will be controlled by the client programs, which will interface with the soccerserver and be viewable on the soccermonitor.

The users would represent people outside of the system, starting and perhaps interrupting the game. This would include the person who would start the match, initiating kickoff. Another user may be the human referee who’s perhaps is to regulate game play and ensure hard-to-detect situations and rule breaking don’t go unchecked. Modes of operation include normal play in which the players behave according to the client code.

The operational scenarios for the proposed system would include a ‘regular play’ mode, in which an outside user, and the players all behave according to the client code start the game and the results are displayed and controlled on the soccermonitor by the soccerserver. This is the normal operating scenario. If errors where to occur, there would be a way for a user to interrupt or end play via the soccermonitor. This would allow for possible short-term fixes as well a preventing any possible damage.

Must Have:

• A team of 11 soccer players, one coach
• Some form of communication amongst the players and coach
• Players adhering to the rules and guidelines of soccer

Would Like to Have:

• Players behaving according to their specific positions.
• Players coordinating plays amongst each other
• Adaptation to the opposing teams position and ball position

The impact of developing a team is one that is clear. Beforehand the soccerserver and soccermonitor have no function unless there is a team. With the addition of a soccer team these previous two components now have a function to perform.

Expected Improvements:

• Addition of a client controlled team
• Team AI will be improved with team tactics and rule following

Disadvantages: N/A

Limitations:

• Based upon the skill of the programmers
• Physical restraints making the players closer to humans

Risks:

• Team does not function or perform well

Alternatives and Tradeoffs:

• No apparent alternatives to the creation of a client controlled soccer team
• Only way to implement an AI-controlled soccer via the soccer server and monitor