Schedule

Match Slots

Each match is assigned a ‘slot’ during which it will occur. The times for the slot are generally what is advertised as the match start time, even though the game doesn’t actually start until some way into the slot.

Match Periods

Matches are grouped into timing periods. Each period has a description, planned start and end times, plus a time beyond which no further matches may be scheduled.

Usually the latter time is after the scheduled end time so that it works to allow for delays to introduce a small overrun if needed. If configured thus, then a period which experiences no delays would end at the scheduled end time.

Note: the end times represent the time that the last match in the period can be scheduled to start rather then finish.

Delays

Arbitrary delays can be added to the system at any point. These work to delay the matches that start (currently measured by their slot start) by the given amount, and are cumulative over the course of a period.

Staging

Before a match starts each of the teams must submit their robot to the staging area. The system is aware of are various times associated with this:

• The earliest teams can present themselves for a match

• The time by which teams must be in staging

• How long staging is open for; equal to the difference between the above

• How long before the start of the match to signal to shepherds they should start looking for teams

• How long before the start of the match to signal to teams they should go to staging