[simpits-tech] Wiring of POT and EPL

Sun, 2 Mar 2003 01:57:42 +0100

Thanks alot Mark - realy good explanation here !

All the best
Frank

PS: i'll upload more pic soon !

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Doran" <msdoran@attbi.com>
To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 12:59 AM
Subject: RE: [simpits-tech] Wiring of POT and EPL

> All this chat about synchros is all very educational.  But I wonder if
> your original question actually got answered yet, Frank.
>
> Some info that I hope you find useful:
>
> I suggest you scrap the idea of using a pot -- it won't work very well
> for what you are trying to do.  Here's why --
>
> In EPICenter you can map EPL functions to an analog axis directly
> through the interface.  In that case you get 32 functions assignable for
> each direction of rotation of the pot (i.e. 32 as you turn from max to
> min and 32 more from min back to max).
>
> If your functions mapped this way sent the heading increment/decrement
> functions for right and left rotation of the pot respectively, you
> wouldn't get anywhere near the required resolution.
>
> Falcon4 models the heading knob on the HSI gauge (note: the HDG knob on
> the INSTR panel doesn't appear to be active in the game) as having 72
> steps for a full 360 degree rotation of the heading bug (i.e. 5 degree
> increments per key press).  32 steps aren't enough to match the required
> 72 in the game.
>
> Now EPIC stores the analog axis position as a byte value between 0 and
> 255.  You could write code to camp on the actual axis stored value and
> scale down so that each time the value changes by three-ish, the
> keystroke would get sent.  This is not a pretty piece of code and if you
> are doing a full cockpit's worth of EPL may well tax EPIC performance
> beyond reason.  Not to mention that given the lack of precision and
> consistency in pots the chances of you accurately being able to adjust
> the knob with your hand so the value EPIC sees changes by more than 3
> but less than 6 (say) would be very, very difficult.  And also not to
> mention that the end stops on the pot will mean that in some cases you'd
> have to rotate the pot almost all the way to the other end of it's
> travel to make very small heading changes in some cases.
>
> That is to say using a pot for this control is doable in theory with EPL
> code but there are several drawbacks that in practice just make it a bad
> idea.
>
> What you want, with due deference to the experts on synchros and all the
> other "real" hardware that is used for this kind of thing in actual
> jets, is a plain old encoder for this job.
>
> EPIC supports those and the EPL code is as straightforward as it is for
> switches.
>
> Ralph's encoder module is pretty spendy:
>
>   http://www.flightlink.com/epic/rotary.html
>
> $250 a pop.  It supports a bunch of encoders though -- more than you
> will need for an F-16 project based on Falcon4!
>
> There is a cheaper alternative in the shape of the offering from Blue
> Side Up:
>
>   http://www.avsim.com/bluesideup/
>
> $169 a pop and all ready to wire in to an EMDA card for use with EPIC.
>
> All that said, I can't vouch for either one just yet.  Now that switches
> and indicator lamping are basically all done, we are just this week
> starting on making the hardware for the software driven bitmap displays
> we will produce for DED, RWR, PFL, HSI and the CMDS.  Encoders are the
> very next on the list so we haven't got there yet but FWIW, I believe we
> are planning to use one bluesideup unit which can support 8 encoders
> which should be enough for a Falcon4 driven F-16 implementation.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mark.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: simpits-tech-admin@simpits.org [mailto:simpits-tech-
> > admin@simpits.org] On Behalf Of Frank Riedel
> > Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 5:03 PM
> > To: simpits-tech@simpits.org
> > Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Wiring of POT and EPL
> >
> > Stupid me... did''nt see that....Thanks !
> > just what i neeeded !
> >
> > Frank
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Simpitter@btopenworld.com" <simpitter@btopenworld.com>
> > To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
> > Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2003 1:52 AM
> > Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Wiring of POT and EPL
> >
> >
> > > Frank,
> > >
> > > Its been many months since I;ve been near my Epic kit, but if I
> remember
> > > correctly, pots have to be connected to the ABA module.  The 64BTN
> > module
> > is
> > > only for connecting switches.
> > >
> > > Look at www.fsim.com they have the documents and diagrams on the
> site.
> > >
> > > Darren
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Frank Riedel" <frank@rezultat.dk>
> > > To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
> > > Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 11:05 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Wiring of POT and EPL
> > >
> > >
> > > > Sorry... it's getting late, and alot of wire has been mountet :o)
> > > >
> > > > I have:
> > > > EPIC USB
> > > > 1 expansion
> > > > 3 output
> > > > 1 rotary
> > > > in a week:
> > > > 1 ABA (new model)
> > > > 5 64BTN module
> > > >
> > > > Frank
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Gene Buckle" <geneb@deltasoft.com>
> > > > To: <simpits-tech@simpits.org>
> > > > Sent: Friday, February 28, 2003 11:18 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Wiring of POT and EPL
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On Fri, 28 Feb 2003, Frank Riedel wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > y
> > > > > >
> > > > > ?!  Is than an answer or a typo? :)
> > > > >
> > > > > g.
> > > > >
> > > > >
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