[simpits-tech] Electronic USB modules
Marv De Beque
simpits-tech@simpits.org
Thu, 16 May 2002 06:38:44 -0400
Chester,
That is sort of what I thought could be done, but it is good to hear it
publicly. It sounds like you have created a very nice interface system. I
am also very interested to see how your servo and stepper motor interfaces
work in detail. I look forward to seeing all of the documentation when it
is done.
Good luck!
Marv
--
> From: fitchett <fitchett@cpsc.ucalgary.ca>
> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 19:47:14 -0600 (MDT)
> To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Electronic USB modules
>
>
> Ah - and the existing code base interfacing to the sim software is
> significant enough that it needs to be saved.
>
> I'm not terribly crazy about making PS/2 interfaces for a specialized
> application, however I believe this can be solved in software.
>
> Is the existing software polling the PS/2 port registers directly, or
> relying on operating system calls? What operating systems is this code
> running on?
>
> Assuming a lot, I would say the solution (for my stuff) relies on writing
> a quick piece of software that runs on the computer, and fires keyboard
> events into windows. Then the applications would receive their keyboard
> strokes just as if it had came from a PS/2 port. This little bit of
> software would be configured from a file, so multiple USB phidgets with
> hundreds of inputs each can be mapped onto key strokes. Simple.
>
> This assumes that the computers running these simpits
> A) Have USB ports,
> B) run Win2000/XP.
>
> I can crank out a bit of code to demo this, if you want.
>
> Chester
>
>
>> Chester,
>>
>> I think an important question is if you can provide keyboard input like the
>> EPIC or XKeys does.
>>
>> Many sims get their input from the keyboard, so having a pathway to send key
>> characters directly to the keyboard input port (PS/2) would be very
>> valuable.
>>
>> Sounds like all of the software resides on the PC, not the IO boards. Is
>> this true?
>>
>> I ask since it is necessary to process inputs and make conditional decisions
>> based on the state of one or more switches.
>>
>> Marv
>> --
>>
>>
>>> From: fitchett <fitchett@cpsc.ucalgary.ca>
>>> Reply-To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
>>> Date: Wed, 15 May 2002 17:37:32 -0600 (MDT)
>>> To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
>>> Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Electronic USB modules
>>>
>>>
>>> The website is at www.phidgets.com, although these new products will not
>>> have online documentation created yet. I guess it's time to write the doc
>>> while the boards are getting made.
>>>
>>> These devices interface as standard USB devices, and I have a software
>>> library that builds on top of the Windows USB stack for programmers.
>>> This library can be used from any programming language in Windows 2000/XP.
>>>
>>> Gene is using this library to bridge to the flight simulator programs, I
>>> believe.
>>>
>>> Chester
>>>
>>>
>>>> Gene,
>>>> when I saw this I was thinking "wow" at last a much cheaper alternative,
>>>> over
>>>> here, the EPIC is basically double the US price (exchange rates are crap!)
>>>> Just let me see if I understand this device correctly.
>>>> Its a hardware interface kit, that I can hook up switches too, it uses USB
>>>> into
>>>> interface your PC. Does it just emulate a keyboard and send keypresses when
>>>> the
>>>> switch is toggled?
>>>> And so your software, does it interface a sims like MSFS via the FSUIPC
>>>> interface thus making it a whole lot more useful?
>>>>
>>>> Does chester have a website with more details, im sure there will be many
>>>> of
>>>> us
>>>> that will take this up as opposed the EPIC.
>>>>
>>>> Chris.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>> A 256 input InterfaceKit using a scanning matrix topology - see
>>>>> Gene's
>>>>>> nice diagram at
>>>>>> http://www.simpits.org/fileproc/files/ematrix.png
>>>>>> This module uses a 40 pin header to connect to your pit. It comes
>>>>> with
>>>>>> 256 diodes. This module is $50.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I know that the high cost of entry as represented by the EPIC is
>>>>> preventing a significant number of you from starting or
>>>>> completeing(sp)
>>>>> your projects.
>>>>>
>>>>> This new interface that Chester has created all but erases the biggest
>>>>> barrier to a good cockpit - the hardware interface. Even the smallest
>>>>> cockpit project can benefit from this thing. Additionally, you can
>>>>> hook
>>>>> up more than one of these things up to your machine. You need 2000 or
>>>>> more inputs for that fancy passenger jet?? No problem. You can easily
>>>>> hook up 8 of these to one or two USB hubs and get the job done. The
>>>>> only
>>>>> limitation is the USB specification itself.
>>>>>
>>>>> Now combine this with the other Phidgets that Chester makes and you've
>>>>> got
>>>>> the core of some seriously cool fun. The fantastic part is that they
>>>>> don't cost an arm and a leg. You won't have to dig into the kids'
>>>>> college
>>>>> fund to build a cockpit with Phidgets. :)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> The software I'm working on supports FS98/2k/2k2 and CFS2. After
>>>>> completion, X-Plane and Falcon 4 support will be added. It's easy to
>>>>> use
>>>>> and with the exception of Falcon 4, doesn't have to run on the
>>>>> computer
>>>>> the flight simulator software is running on. I hope to have a beta
>>>>> available soon.
>>>>>
>>>>> g.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Simpit s-tech mailing list
>>>>> Simpits-tech@simpits.org
>>>>> http://www.simpits.org/mailman/listinfo/ simpits-tech
>>>>> To unsubscribe, please see the instructions at the bottom of the above
>>>>> page. Thanks!
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Chris Brace
>>>> V(H) +64 4 973-6378
>>>> V(W) +64 4 474-4222
>>>> M +64 21 223-5163
>>>> E chris.brace@paradise.net.nz
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>>>> Thanks!
>>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
>
>
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