Help With Usb Flight Controls !!!!

[fatb0y60]

I have an old FLCS, RCS and attack throttle and basically the short story is they dont work on comp with XP and i dont the game card i have is not for a pci slot! so basically i wanted to take out the old circuitry and just use the old plastic framework/buttons etc with a new USB circuit board (which i can put together i just dont know how to design). So if anybody has any knowlege of USB and USB circuits or had any circuit diagrams that would make use of all the buttons/switces nobs etc on my stick and thottle or any helpful comments about this that would be mighty helpful. On a simpler not the RCS cant be that hard to convert surely - it's just one pot any help converting it to USB here?
Hope you guys can help because i dont have the money to buy a cougar unless.......anyone got a free cougar for me? LOL
Fatb0y.

[GI Jew]

You could always buy a gameport to usb adaptor. They generally work pretty good.


http://www.techbuy.com.au/products/24682/CABLES/Sitecom/SITE-CN-108/USB_to_Gameport.asp

[ruprecht]

Fatboy, check out BetaInnovations (http://www.betainnovations.com) - Leo's PlasmaV2 is designed to basically be a joystick board. I have one for my helo collective.
Oh, and go newie!

[fatb0y60]

Yeah i have heard of thosae USB/port adapters but will the FLCS and attack throttle work together and with windows XP? also i would like to (if possible) convert at least me RCS to USB which as i previously mentioned I dobt weather it would be a very complex circuit, it's just a matter of finding it.

oh and ruprecht are you from newcastle? "...go newie..."

[fatb0y60]

ruprecht, I was just checking out the Plasma V2 board and it looks good, would i be able to use just the one board for the throttle, stick and rudder and possibly keys for a pit i'm thinking of building? how easy is it to set up and use. Basically what do u think of it having said you use it yourself?
Thanks for the help

[SUBS17]

Ausb adapter won't work on an FLCS, FLCS is not compatible with XP! But the way to go is using a 16bit microcontroller

http://www.flightsim.com/cgi/kds?$=main/howto/mind.htm

This website has an 8bit usb circuit diagram and a 16bit microcontroller circuit that you can purchase and usb software. My advice is the 16bit circuit as you have the ability to map extra functions for external switches etc. How to do it, buy a cheap usb joystick and open it up, inside you'll find a Microcontroller and circuit plus connectors for each switch and axis. Note down the position of each switch and its associated function inside the XP. Now try hooking up your old FLCS axis and test it in xp. Then try connecting the switches just to test it or for temporary use until your microcontroller arrives(which ever you decide to use).

BTW your RCS and throttle can also be connected to the one 16bit circuit.

[GI Jew]

Ausb adapter won't work on an FLCS, FLCS is not compatible with XP!

When my cougar died i borrowed a FLCS+WCS MkII and it worked no problem with the USB adaptor in windows XP. The only problem was i couldnt program it. (But that didnt matter because it was pre programmed for me)

[fatb0y60]

that looks good... again how complicated its it to figure out and how much $ am i looking at here . I do like the fact i can run throttle, stick and rudder with one board. I could build this board into my future pit and just have a quick connect system for my controls?

[SUBS17]

33 Euros for it

http://www.mindaugas.com/products/MJoy16-C1/
Thats the 16 bit version, its not too difficult to use, if you get stuck you could always ask these guys.

[fatb0y60]

one questiuon about the Beta inovations chip, which is what i'm leaning towads because of the ability to use 4 8-way hats rather that 1 (the real major differance as far as i can see)

My Question is: does the chip come pre made or do you get a kit or do you get a plan?

[ruprecht]

My Question is: does the chip come pre made or do you get a kit or do you get a plan?

It's all as you see it in the photo - totally built and ready to plug in. And yes, I grew up in newie :)

[fatb0y60]

sweet it sound very good for me!! Ive been looking for this for ages.



It's all as you see it in the photo - totally built and ready to plug in. And yes, I grew up in newie :)

oh ok, but you dont live here anymore? the only thing i dont like about newcastle is the knights and more importantly knights fans and even more importantly andrew johns! LOL!

[fatb0y60]

A question from my research into the Plasma V2 ... whats a 'rotary encoder'

[ruprecht]

A question from my research into the Plasma V2 ... whats a 'rotary encoder'

Google is your friend
http://zone.ni.com/devzone/conceptd.nsf/webmain/9BCCE7934DACF1298625680700573BC0?OpenDocument

[fatb0y60]

sweet ok so what would you use one for... correct me if im wrong but my understanding so far is that they basically do the same thing as a pot but just by a differant method? if thats the case why not just use a pot?

[ruprecht]

well my basic understanding is that the difference is a pot has limits but a rotary encoder can be turned indefinitely. So for example with the HSI CRS knob, a rotary encoder can sense it turning one way or another, and you can turn it for as long as you like.

[Nikolas_A]

The pot is a variable resistor. It has a contact sliding on a resistive surface. The interface measures the resistance.

The encoder is actually a switch. The simplest implementation is a Common contact and three output contacts. If you turn it one way Com wil conect to 1,2,3,1,2,3 etc. If turned the other way 3,2,1,3,2,1 etc. The interface checks which terminal is connected to Com

As ruprecht said, the HSI CRS and HDG knobs need encoders (I think only those for a Viper pit).

Also some BCD's are needed (for the TACAN and UHF)

[Nikolas_A]

And before you ask, BCDs are Binary Coded Decimal encoders. Like the rotary encoders the interface can tell which way they're turning, but it can also know what position the're in.

http://www.darlas.gr/comersus/store/catalog/farnell/productimages/farnell/standard/42257275.jpg

e.g. a 4bit encoder has 4 terminals (+ one common) and 16 positions
Binary: Decimal:
0000 0
0001 1
0010 2
0011 3
0100 4
0101 5...etc, 1 meaning that said terminal is connected to com.

The one pictured above has numers 0-9 so it only uses 10 positions

[fatb0y60]

oh ok i think i sort of get it ... i'll just keep reading stuff but i think i got a fairly good i dea , Thanks all.

[fatb0y60]

So i need help, anyone in australia with a suncom talon stick and SFS throttle? and dont use it? and mabee would sel it for a resonable price?
I need one for my soon-to-be-a-pit (F-15)

HEALP! thanks...
fatb0y

[GI Jew]

I have an SFS throttle and F-15 stick but its not the Talon. Its the one with only one hat switch and a Red light where the other hat should be. Both are in great condition though. I dont think i need it anymore.

[fatb0y60]

sweet is there any reason why i cant move the hat switch to the right and find a castle switch where the hat was? the actual stick is the same shape/size etc isnt it?

[GI Jew]

I've never seen a Talon stick apart from pictures but they look the same to me.

[fatb0y60]

so that said on the basis of weather i can get a castle switch are you willing to sell, and if so for what $

[GI Jew]

Although the stick feels really nice and I wouldnt mind keeping it, I know i'll never use it again and its pointless holding on to it. I'll send you a PM so this doesnt turn into a Buy/Swap/Sell forum.

[fatb0y60]

Ok sweet

[fatb0y60]

by the looks of things i may have the throttle sorted, but i'm still looking for a Suncom F-15E talon, so if there is anyone in australia preferably near newcastle who has a talon and dont use it? and mabee would sell it for a resonable price?
I need one for my soon-to-be-a-pit (F-15)

[SUBS17]

Keep an eye on E-bay, every now and then someone sells one there.