R/CUSB-Interface for flight simulators
USB-Interface II and USB-Interface III
learn and train model flying without the danger of a crash, independent on weather daytime or your flight instructor
works with nearly all R/C transmitters (Graupner, Futaba, Multiplex, Hitec, Walkera, ..)
works with nearly all R/C receivers (Graupner, Futaba, Multiplex and compatible)
runs with most simulators (FMS, Realflight G2, Piccofly, Easyfly, Aerofly, games, ..)
no hand-soldered cheap schlock but machine-made goods of quality
simple installation, no driver needed
axis and buttons are programmable
future-proof due to updateable software, programmable with self-made software, SDK available
Overview
So if you purchased a legal copy of the simulation, you don't need the USB cable. Plug your transmitter into the Controller if you don't wish to use the Controller to fly the sim. Someone who knows FMS needs to cover that side of your problems. USBView is a free utility from Microsoft that displays the USB connection tree and shows the USB devices that are connected to it together with their configuration data. This is very useful for debugging USB enumeration errors. USBView runs under Windows 98, ME,2000, XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. Legacy Device Driver Setup: PEAK-System installation package for 32-bit Non-Plug-and-Play Windows ® drivers for PCAN-PC/104, PCAN-ISA, and PCAN-Dongle (parallel port) as well as a 32/64-bit Plug-and-Play Windows ® driver for PCAN-PC Card. Device Driver for RS-232 (PCAN-USB Hub). USB simulator cable for an existing remote control: Spektrum WS-1000 WIRELESS SIMULATOR DONGLE (delivers up to 9 channels) Spektrum WS-2000 WIRELESS SIMULATOR DONGLE (delivers up to 9 channels) ORANGERX DSMX/DSM2 COMPATIBLE USB DONGLE FOR FLIGHT SIMULATOR: SKU -0. ORANGE FRSKY USB DONGLE FOR FLIGHT SIMULATOR: SKU -0. Drivers are provided for various versions of Windows. Download and install the correct version for your computer’s configuration before proceeding. Now connect a USB cable between a USB port on your PC and the USB interface module you are using. Windows should report a new device has been found and proceed to initialize it.
Usb Simulator Cable Drivers Windows 10
USB-Interface II
USB-Interface II with Fu6sq transmitter cord
Technical data USB-Interface II
The RC-USB-Interface has some enhancements compared to the Gameport Interface:
It can be used by modern notebooks equipped without gameport.
supports USB 1.1, USB 2.0, Hot-Plugging and is powered by USB
works with all transmitters: Though easily exchangeable transmitter cords, you can use one USB-Interface for different transmitters
Up to 9 RC channels are transmitted to the PC. Consequently, you can also control flaps, retractable landing gear, .. in suited simultators with the R/C transmitter.
channel assignment: R/C channel 1 to 7 -> joystick axis 1 to 8, R/C channel 5 to 9 -> button 1 to 8
The small tremble of the model rudders (due to many analog-digital convertions:PPMA -> µcontroller AD -> RC-unit DA -> sound card AD -> simulator) is reduced by the completly digital working RC-USB-Interface (PPM A -> µcontroller AD -> USB client D -> USB host D -> simulator).
fast and precise digitalization with 256 steps
flashing control LED
The USB-Interface II is programmable: Assignment of axis and buttons, reaction of buttons can be reprogrammed quickly and easily.
since Okt. 2006 updatable firmware: The Interface is prepared to understand future transmission modes of new transmitters. (look for firmware updates in the Forum, e.g. Walkera PCM WK-0701, 3000 steps resolution, ..)
Compatibility
After having installed the HID-driver (HID-driver, Windows included), the USB Interface is instantly ready for operation on Win98 SE, WinME, Win2000, WinXP (instruction manualusb-interface_en.pdf [210kB]), LINUX, Mac OS X (Screenshots osx.pdf [280kB]), .. (in general: all O/S that support HID USB joysticks). It has a 2m cable and works with nearly all R/C transmitters equipped with a buddy box.
The USB Interface works with most R/C simulators that can be controlled by a normal joystick:
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It doesn't work with Reflex, Reflex XTR or True-Flight.
Connectivity
interface name: USB-Int2
USB-Interface II with fixed receiver cord
USB-Interface II with fixed JR receiver cord
Technical data USB-Interface II with fixed receiver cord
Same data like USB-Interface II plus:
It can be connected with an R/C receiver. So a transmitter without buddy box or PPM signal can be made suitable for simulators. The USB-Interface supplys the receiver with power. It reads up to 4 R/C channels from the receiver.
Transmission up to 4 signals from the receiver
All transmitter cords to connect it with a R/C transmitter are usable
Connectivity
interface name: USB-Int2_R
RC USB-Interface III
USB-Interface III with JR3.5 receiver cord
Technical data RC USB-Interface III
RC USB-Interface II has the following enhancements compared to its predecessor:
It can be connected with an R/C receiver. So a transmitter without buddy box or PPM signal can be made suitable for simulators. The USB-Interface supplys the receiver with power. It reads up to 7 R/C channels from the receiver.
Optionally, a transmitter cord can be connected with the exchangeable receiver cord. The USB-Interface III is used with the R/C transmitter just like USB-Interface II. The source of the signal is detected automatically.
It has a 16 pin connector and its firmware is updatable. So it can be used as generic device for monitoring, sensor measurement, controlling, as USB dongle, migrating applications to USB, PPM analyzer, training, prototyping, ...
The Software Development Kit - USB-Interface III SDK is offered for free. It supports the development of new applications. Examples can be found in the Forum, e.g. PPM Generator (controlling a model via PC)
More information: data sheet usb-int3_datenblatt.pdf [180kB]
Compatibility
see USB-Interface II
Connectivity
Interface name: USB-Int3
Programming tool for R/C USB-Interface
The Interface is programmed with IntCon. The Assignment of axis and buttons can be chosen freely. The program runs on Windows 98 to Windows XP. This software and a brief instruction manual is here: software |
Transmitter Cords
The USB-Interface hard- and software is designed to work with all transmitters. The Interface is equipped with a connector for transmitter cords fitting your individual buddy box. More information about buddy box pin assignment: buddy boxes
3,5 mm stereo jack plug | R/C vendor: Graupner / JR transmitter: FM 314, mc-10, mc-12, mc-14, mc-15, mc-16, mc-16/20, mc-18, mc-20, mc-22, mc-24, mx-22, JR 9x, JR 347, FM4014 (pos. modulation), ... JR (European RF part and buddy box): JR Quattro, JR 9x, X-347, X-387, X-388, X-756, X-3810, .. transmitter cord name: JR3.5 R/C vendor: Lexors transmitter: Nova 4, Nova 4+1, Nova 6 transmitter cord name: Lex3.5 |
3,5 mm mono jack plug | R/C vendor: Futaba transmitter: FC-28, FC-16, FC-18, 3PJ, T3PJ, T3PK, ... transmitter cord name: Fu3.5 R/C vendor: Graupner/JR hand held transmitters with DSC connector: MX-12, MX-22, .. JR (American RF part and buddy box): X-347, X-387, X-388, X-756, X-3810, .. transmitter cord name: Fu3.5 |
2,5 mm mono jack plug | R/C vendor: Futaba transmitter: FX-14, FX-15, FX-18, ... transmitter cord name: Fu2.5 |
5-pin DIN plug | R/C vendor: Multiplex transmitter: Pico-Line, mc1010, .. transmitter cord name: MPX5 R/C vendor: Robbe transmitter: CM-Basic, (Terra Top), mc2015F, .. transmitter cord name: Ro5 R/C vendor: Sanwa transmitter: (RD8000, RD6000, VG400, VG6000, Radiant, Vanguard PPM), .. transmitter cord name: Sa5 |
7-pin DIN plug | R/C vendor: Multiplex transmitter: Pico-Line, EVO 9, Cockpit MM, mc3030, .. transmitter cord name: MPX7 |
6-pin DIN plug | R/C vendor: Futaba transmitter: FC-16, FC-18+, FC-28, FF 7, .. transmitter cord name: Fu6DIN R/C vendor: Hitec transmitter: Laser 4, Flash, Eclipse, .. transmitter cord name: Fu6DIN |
6-pin square plug | R/C vendor: Futaba transmitter: 4C, 7C, 9C, FF 4, FF 7, FF 9, T6EXA, Skysport T4YF, .. transmitter cord name: Fu6sq R/C vendor: Kyosho transmitter: transmiter of Caliber 24 transmitter cord name: Fu6sq |
special pin assignments | on request Graupner MicroG JR4DIN Walkera PCM WK-0701 WK701-4DIN Walkera 22E (35, 36, 39) WK22E-4DIN .. |
Receiver Cords
The USB-Interface 3 is connected with the servo connectors of R/C receivers or a transmitter cord via these receiver cords. Special pin assignments are possible.
Graupner/JR receiver cord | Receiver with Graupner/JR servo connectors further R/C vendors with compatible connectors receiver cord name: R-JR |
Multiplex receiver cord | Receiver with Multiplex servo connectors further R/C vendors with compatible connectors receiver cord name: R-MPX |
Futaba receiver cord | Receiver with Futaba servo connectors further R/C vendors with compatible connectors Walkera receiver cord name: R-Fu |
Development receiver cord | connects the USB-Interface 3 with periphery or PCBs for self-made applications receiver cord name: R-Dev |
Receiver Adapter
Receiver Adapter with Graupner/JR servo connectors
Equipped with the Receiver Adapter you don't need a buddy box connector on your R/C transmitter to use the USB Interface. The Receiver Adapter is connected with the R/C receiver. It reads out the individual servo positions and provides the PPM signal for the USB Interface 2.
uses up to 7 servo channels
operates with all R/C receivers, that support popular servos from Graupner/JR, Futaba or Multiplex
can be used in wireless master/slave trainer system in principle
Installation, hints
Windows
Quickstart USB-Interface: quickstart_de.pdf [ 260 kB], quickstart_en.pdf [ 260 kB], quickstart_it.pdf [ 260 kB]
Instruction manual USB-Interface:usb-interface.pdf [ + 1,4 MB]
Data sheet USB-Interface 3 usb-int3_datenblatt.pdf [180kB]
Mac OS X
Screenshots osx.pdf [280kB]
FAQ
(Flash Player 5 required)
The USB side of the adapter behaves like a standard USB joystick (HID-Device).Therefore you don't need a driver for Windows or Linux (tested with Windows XP, Windows 7 and Ubuntu 9.10).In Mac OS it should work well too, but this is not yet tested.The adapter is ideal for use with a model aircraft simulator on the PC.
PPM
Most R/C remote controls provides a so-called PPM-signal.It consists of a pulse train with about 0.4 ms long pulses.The time interval tn between the pulses corresponds to the stick-positionof each channel. A time of 1.5 ms corresponds to the center position,1ms is the minimum and 2ms is the maximum position.A pulse train consists of n+1 pulses - for 5 channels thus 6 pulses. The pulse train is repeated every 20ms (50Hz).
Bild 2: The PPM signal of a remote control with 5 channels
On my R/C transmitter, the PPM signal can be found at the trainer port.The pinout of the 4-pin. Mini-DIN connector is shown in Bild 3.
Bild 3: pinout of the trainer port on the Esky Remote
An overview of the pin connection for the trainer jacks of other manufacturers (including Graupner, Robbe, Futaba, Multiplex, Hitec)can be found here: Pinouts of various R/C transmitters
Hardware
Bild 4: The schematics of the PPM2USB adapter
The circuit is quite simple and can be build on a breadboard or on a perfboard.The resistors and Zenerdiodes provide the USB-required voltage levels.The PPM signal is connected directly to the ICP-pin of the ATmega8.This works with signal levels from 1.5-5V.For the right timing an external 12MHz crystal is used.
Note: The ISP circuitry for programming the controllerwas left in the schematic way.
PPM2USB with USBASP-Hardware
It is also possible to modify an USBASP-Dongle: USBASP to PPM2USB-Modification.
Software
Usb Simulator Cable Drivers Downloads
The software was developed with the AVR-GCC tool chain and consists of three parts:
PPM decoder
The PPM decoder is completely interrupt driven.To measure the time, a 16 bit timer is used which is directly connected to the CPU clock (12MHz).
USB stack
The ATmega8 has actually no USB interface. However, it is possible to implement such in software.For this purpose the free USB stack called V-USB is used.
Main program
In the main program V-USB is initialized. Then the controller goes into ainfinite loop and transfers new joystick positions to the PC. It will only transfer data when the stick positionshave changed. This is indicated by brief flashes of the LED.
Flysky Usb Simulator Cable Driver
Download
- The included hex file is compiled for a ATMega8. The source code can be easily adapted to other AVRs (if they are supported by V-USB).
- For programming, the described programming cable can be used.
- Fuses: external crystal (lfuse: 0xEF, hfuse: 0xC9)
- You may not use this work for commercial purposes
- Projekt-Download, Git-Repository
Flying-Model-Simulator FMS
For simulating model airplanes you can use the Free Flight Model Simulator (FMS).
Usb Fms Simulator Cable Driver
Video 1: FMS test flight with A380 and Quadropcopter using the PPM2USB-adapter