Sony Playstation Joystick Project

[Mr.RC-CAM]

Those Sony Playstation joysticks seem like a perfect candidate for a R/C project. As such, one has evolved into a cool R/C Tx controller for the freeware FMS R/C flight simulator. It can also work with RealFlight RFD or G2 (connects to their Tx adapter).

Stick operation is about the same as a real R/C Tx. The only oddity is that the "throttle" stick is center return, but even an old guy like me can quickly adapt to it. Since the PC simulator software handles all the mixing, you can fly gliders, planes, and helicopters. Mode 1 or Mode 2.

There is even a mode where you can emulate the operation of an vintage 8-channel Reed R/C system. Reed systems were all the rage in the 1950's-1960's and are essentially non-proportional R/C systems. Here is your chance to experience flight back then. Or bring back old memories. :)

Anyway, I thought I would share some details and a photo of the project. The software is still being massaged, but is nearly done. If there is any substantial demand I will consider publishing all the technical details to the project.


RC-CAM

[Mr.RC-CAM]

Here is a photo of the stuffed PC board. What you see has more components on it than are necessary; the project actually started with another purpose in mind.

A PIC16C72 microcontroller goes in the 28 pin DIP socket and the Sony PSX controller connects to the 9-pin SIP socket. The FMS simulator uses the 9-pin Serial connector and Realflight uses a 2-wire JR style trainer cable (not shown).

I could have built it on perfboard but created a PCB instead. The first version used a home etched PCB, but I recently traded up to a commercial quality board. The cost of short run fab'd boards is ugly, so perfboard methods would be more attractive to most home builders.

The Joystick is from Walmart, $9.95. It is the "Analog" type, which is required for this application. The brand is MadCatz Dual Force Controller. Yup, it has force feedback, which could be used if the FMS software creators added a feature to use it (simple serial commands could be employed).

[chemsurfer]

Or you could try this approach: Connect a Playstation pad to PC (http://www.emulatronia.com/reportajes/directpad/psxeng/index.htm). It only requires finding an extension cord for the controller, soldering a handful of resistors, and downloading a driver. At that point it is a joystick accessible through windows to all programs. I use this and like it.

Of course it is probably even simpler to just buy a similar type of joystick that is already meant for the PC, but I had the playstation collecting dust already.

What would be really cool is to convert the game pad to a buddy box student control! Is that a possibility?

Brad

[Mr.RC-CAM]

What would be really cool is to convert the game pad to a buddy box student control! Is that a possibility?That is one of the applications that I had in mind for the original project. It won't be ready until sometime later this winter.

RC-CAM

[Moogee]

I use a PS2 pad for my FMS experiments at the moment. I got a PS2-USB interface for $6 off ebay - this make http://www.levelsix.com/products/pc/PSPC_USB2_III.shtml

However, the thing I find most difficult about the pad is that the sticks cannot give 100% fore-aft and 100% sideways movement simultaneously.

Because the PS2 sticks move in circles, if you are holding full throttle, moving to full left aileron reduces your throttle to 50%(mode 2 pilots).
It does work, but this limitation makes piloting pretty tricky at times. Can't beat it for convenience though.

[Mr.RC-CAM]

I got a PS2-USB interface for $6...Wow. I am constantly amazed by the low price of the imported electronic goods. I cannot even find a mating PSX joystick connector for less than that price.

Because the PS2 sticks move in circles, if you are holding full throttle, moving to full left aileron reduces your throttle to 50%(mode 2 pilots).My MadKatz PSX joystick does not have that limitation. I get smooth control over all stick movement. It is only $10 at Walmart, so you might wish to try it out.

It looks like my FMS project is not of much value. So, there is no need for it given the solutions mentioned in this thread. However, I will continue on with the original design -- an R/C camera pan/tilt controller "buddy box".

RC-CAM

[Gideon007]

Just located this thread.....

My requirement is to be able to fly RPV via joystick...

???? any suggestions? Where do I go for the answers...

Tex
KI5WC

[Mr.RC-CAM]

I have not seen any published projects for that. Maybe someone will chime in and provide the details to one.

The PSX project I am working on will be able to work in an R/C app that does not need mixing (it will behave like an entry level transmitter). It will not be completed for several weeks due to my schedule.

RC-CAM

[Gideon007]

Yes, somebody somewhere is doing it... I know the military is doing it.... and some civilians also....


Thanks for the heads up on your project sir.....

[billystiltner]

Hey
I have been flying a plane with an IR tx that uses the playstation analog Joysticks. Here is a picture.

Billy

[William A]

Tooth picks ?, Ouch !

What's with all the LEDs ? (Oh, IR, missed that.)

[billystiltner]

The toothpicks were temporary.
I have replaced them with wodden dowels for now. Still havent thought of a case.

Billy

[billystiltner]

The circuit and TX code was designed by Koichi Tanaka.

http://www.cityfujisawa.ne.jp/~toko/pic

There is a thread on the IR system here.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24711

It's for small models.

I just wanted to show you guys the TX and add that when you shave or grind down the puck so the throttle will not have center return to mark the puck before you remove it. Mine had markings that were misleading so I ended up with a diagonal non center return path. Luckily I cuaght the mistake before I had removed too much of the puck.


Chemsurfer that is a nice way to add a cheap analog koystick to the computer.

Billy