Might be entirely reasonable to for something like this to simply divide an analogue axis space into n bins, where n is the number of flap positions. So any value that falls within the range of that bin would be translated to that single bin's flap position. It could be done at the program's level, rather than the hardware's.
As an example, given a 4-position flap and an 8-bit axis space (0 to 255, -128 to 127, etc), I could divide the space into 4 bins wide. The beauty of this is that I can decide which bin the value is in by the high-order bits of the axis space (00-000000 thru 00-111111 is the lowest 64, followed by 01-xxxxxx, then by 10-xxxxxx, and finally by 11-xxxxxxx). In fact, by doing some of the processing at hardware level, one could extract the high-order bits and send only them to the IO port, since one wouldn't need to worry about bits 0-5 for bin-work. Instant data "compression" leaving room for more important data, like buttonpresses! Of course, this sort of neglects future expansion for that particular piece of hardware. However, for a one-shot, ad-hoc control, this would work. JD Dene wrote: > I suppose the difficulty comes when you want to use a stepped function > for say the flaps... FG expects a step-step-step-step function from the > keyboard, assigning this sort of function to a stepped analogue control > (a n x position switch with various resistor values) might be limited by > FG functionality... TIAS would be the key I think > > Interested in how you get on.... > Cheers > Dene > > JD Fenech wrote: > >> That may be an option that I can pursue. >> Four potentiometers and four toggles/buttons could be quite enough in >> general for what I want to do. >> >> Dene wrote: >> >> >>> JD Fenech wrote: >>> >>> >>> >>>> Dene wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>>> JD Fenech wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>>> Anyone know of any good information on do-it-yourself joysticks and >>>>>> controls? >>>>>> I don't expect it would be all that difficult to do, if I had the right >>>>>> knowledge. >>>>>> >>>>>> The basic idea is that Flightgear is rather difficult to operate with >>>>>> just a PS2 controller attached to a PC (though it suffices, barely). >>>>>> I wouldn't mind being able to build a basic setup, at least like a >>>>>> secondary controller to control things like mixture, throttle, gear, etc >>>>>> and other console-ish features of an aircraft. >>>>>> >>>>>> I can see it done with knobs, toggles, etc, and read through a serial >>>>>> port (USB ports are really common, but I know next to nothing about >>>>>> them, including drivers). Obviously, in Linux, a module would be >>>>>> required, but that's a slightly seperate subject that I can research and >>>>>> learn on my own. In Windows, I'm sure a proper driver would be required, >>>>>> too, unfortunately, I have no experience writing drivers for a Windows >>>>>> system. >>>>>> >>>>>> Anyway, a few recommendations for DIY Joystick/console control resources >>>>>> would be nice. >>>>>> >>>>>> Thanks. >>>>>> JD >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>> From the odd little snippets I've been shown, FG is very flexible on >>>>> where it gets its inputs from... >>>>> >>>>> I've seen pics of rudder/tail rotor pedals being fed in through a game >>>>> port and running side-by-side with a usb joy stick... I think its >>>>> largely limited by the number of inputs you can connect to the PC. >>>>> >>>>> Cheers >>>>> Dene >>>>> NZWN >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>> I know it's mostly limited to how many inputs a PC has. I'm more looking >>>> for material on how to hook those things to the PC without overpowering >>>> things. A com port seems to be the best way to implement a simple n-axis >>>> controller, from what I can tell. A test of my electrical engineering >>>> know-how, if you will. >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> Hi, >>> I suspect that the best/easiest option will be to construct game port >>> compatible devices then use a Game to USB convertor, just looking at my >>> older reference material , each Game Port can handle 4x analog & 4 x >>> digital inputs.... usb cards for computers are relatively cheap and a >>> four USB port card would give you an additional 16A x 16D inputs >>> >>> in lieu of more learned advice that's how I would approach it...but with >>> enough knowledge on the usb operation, a (n x A) + (m x D) home-brew box >>> should be possible.. but that's a bit beyond where I want to take my >>> Electrical Engineering knowledge unless I could find an off-the-shelf >>> USB driver chip(-set). >>> >>> Cheers >>> Dene >>> NZWN >>> >>> >>> >>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> Take Surveys. Earn Cash. 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Influence the Future of IT > Join SourceForge.net's Techsay panel and you'll get the chance to share your > opinions on IT & business topics through brief surveys - and earn cash > http://www.techsay.com/default.php?page=join.php&p=sourceforge&CID=DEVDEV > _______________________________________________ > Flightgear-users mailing list > Flightgear-users@lists.sourceforge.net > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/flightgear-users > > -- A scientist claims in court that the reason he ran a red light is that, due to his speed, the color was blueshifted till it appeared green. Needless to say, the charges of running the red light were dropped and he lost his license for speeding excessively. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Take Surveys. Earn Cash. 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