New project - MSFS C++ USB interface

[Demon]

I'm gonna check out JLCPCB once I have a circuit ready.

Right now I'm finishing up buying parts; just need those rocker switches and some graphic overlay for backlit text.

On the positive side, I'm well on my way repossessing my basement from all that junk I've accumulated.

Finally got to work on my new workbench debugging why that LED wasn't turning on as it should.

Robert

[Demon]

I'm a visual person, I like to see what I'm doing as opposed to relying exclusively on drawings and schematics (although I do enjoy making them).


This is what I'm doing right now; the communication & navigation panel (COM1, COM2, NAV1 and NAV2).




This is a quick layout of the parts I've bought (that's about 9 inches wide, 8 inches tall).




The TEST button was integrated in the volume button in-game. I couldn't afford potentiometers with a push-button, so I added a separate black button

The rotary encoders I'm using to change frequency have a built-in push-button switch; that way I don't need a dual knob arrangement (again, more expensive).

Yeah, those squiggly pink circles will be LEDs later in life.

Robert

[Ioannis]

All these pots, displays, switches etc, will be inerfaced to PIC microcontrollers and then to the PC running the simulator?

Ioannis

[Demon]

All these pots, displays, switches etc, will be inerfaced to PIC microcontrollers and then to the PC running the simulator?

Ioannis

That's the plan.
🙃

[Ioannis]

Wish I was closer to your location. An amazing project this will be!

Ioannis

[Demon]

I've been up to my eyeballs with little time to browse the forum. I've been researching parts, accumulating inventory, learning C++ and the MS Flight Sim SDK, and now XML, finding decent software to convert Gerber RS-274-X to G-code (turns out my Gerber format is obsolete, but the dude modified his software for me).

I've settled on all the controls for my console, and have all the variables and events to interface with the MSFS SDK. Cost forced me to make a compromise for this first model (targeting budget gamers); I've removed all gauges and displays and moved over to on-screen in-game XML gauges. So I'm back to a "button box" design. That lower screen is all the XML gauges I will be using; some downloaded, some tweaked, and some my own.


I've just starting designing my first "real" circuits; hoping to machine them real soon (I've done basic router and drilling on the mini-CNC). So far I'm seeing about 0.001" to 0.002" vertical tolerance on 3/4 of the bed, with a slight warp in one corner moving up to 0.005". That could be anything on a budget machine; bed, bearings, rails, tidal forces.

And of course I see StarField is about to launch on kickstarter on the 18th; 25μm XY precision, 350x200x350 resin 3D printer. My SLA 3D printer is ok, but I wouldn't print ABS on it and prints are gonna need a LOT of hand-finishing, then I have to mold cases (not a simple process). With a resin printer, I could go straight to ABS finished cases, removing a LOT of steps in my fabrication process, and removing all the costs with mold-making (need to get a vacuum chamber).

Hoping to have nice pics of PCBs to share soon.

Robert

[Demon]

Since my favorite I/O Expander MCP23016 is obsolete, I was moving on to the MCP23017. Aaaaaaaand then I noticed they have a bug , and Microchip is leaving it as a feature. The last pin on both ports is output only, and my 1st circuit is all INPUT, bringing me down to 14 I/Os only.

So I'm moving over to the MCP23S17 and SPI communication. Looks like I'm going to be playing with Gadelhas' code after all.
https://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/sho...395#post111395

Robert