[simpits-tech] Next question Possible answer

[Chris Brace]

Have to agree here. Why bother mucking around trying to figure it all
out for yourself, go over to Leo's site and get yourself one of his
Plasma boards.
 My new Plasma board just arrived a few days ago. I also got 4 of the
ACE's (absolute contacting encoders) and will use these for primary
flight controls and throttle.
I can say they are very good for this sort of thing, they show up as a
game controller so there is very little you need to do to get them
going.
No drift with ACE's since they are absolute. You can also use standard
post if you want.
And the price is very reasonable too. Just my 2cents but well worth the
effort if you need something like this.

Cheers
Chris.

-----Original Message-----
From: simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org
[mailto:simpits-tech-bounces at simpits.org] On Behalf Of John Miguez
Sent: Sunday, 18 July 2004 8:34 a.m.
To: 'Simulator Cockpit tech list'
Subject: [simpits-tech] Next question Possible answer


Leo Lavaca has a small company called Beta Innovations that designs and
sells control boards for flight simming.  His Plasma boards are very
inexpensive and can handle every thing from pots to hall effect sensors,
LVDT and more.  It has jitter filters and allows to select multiple
steps on your pots.

I used one of his mini Plasma boards for my control stick and it works
like a charm.  I have but not used one of the plasma cards.  I will hook
up throttles, stick and rudders to it along with the stick and throttle
buttons.

If you think it might help you check him out at
http://www.betainnovations.com/

John

-----Original Message-----
From: Marv De Beque [mailto:mdebeque at woh.rr.com] 
Sent: Friday, July 16, 2004 4:41 PM
To: Simulator Cockpit tech list
Subject: Re: [simpits-tech] Next question


Linear and rotary motion can be best detected with LVDT.  Essentially,
it is an 3-coil AC transformer that has a magnetically permeable slug.
The downside is the electrical interface is a little complicated, but
they are extremely accurate and the longevity is nearly infinite.

Hall Effect generally looks for a reversal of the magnetic field and
measures the magnitude of the differential.  Interfacing is pretty
simple since the Hall Effect produces a linear voltage output.  Some
care must be taken with the mechanical design to insure a true linear
response.

Capacitance works with small changes in distance, but I think it has the
potential to be finicky.

The problem with position sensing pots is the longevity stinks.  You can
get precision pots that have better lifespan.  They are simple to
interface.

Marv


On 7/16/04 3:24 PM, "Fred Mahone" <fred.mahone at vt.edu> wrote:

> OK, I have been following the questions and comments about analog and 
> digital joysticks and throttles.
> 
> Now the question, Are there any circuits that can take linear and
rotary
> motion and convert it to a computer compatible signal,
> be better than potentiometers, and remember the position so the
control
> does not have to be re-calibrated each time you start?
> 
> I have looked at various schemes, hall effect, optical sensors,
variable
> capacitors and have not seen anything that is as good as a position
sensing
> potentiometer like used to send position to an electronic ignition in
a
> car. I would guess there are probably ones based on stress to some
element
> but have not found any, as yet.
> 
> My Bell cyclic pivot will have two linear movements, the anti-torque
will
> be either rotary or linear (I can go either way), collective will be 
> rotary, and if I add the throttle, linear.
> 
> Any web site information would be appreciated.
> 
> Fred Mahone
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> Simpits-tech at simpits.org 
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> Thanks!



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