PS Cockpit Software V.1.0.2 Update

The new version V.1.0.2 auto installable version of the PS Cockpit Software is available for download!!

CHANGELOG V 1.0.2
================
- Text Light Extended option implmented to inlude ECM lights in the MAL & IND LTS pushbutton (Airplane Model/Special IOs) 
- Implemented Clone Ouputs to replicate up to 10 ouputs of the boards to another ouput (Airplane Model /Special IOs)
- Corrected a bug while setting the Adafruit OLED parameters (Adafruit OLED)
- Changed Run mode to allow exit this mode while waiting Falcon BMS to load
- Corrected a bug with the T_L_CFG right eyebrow light (Airplane Model/Lights)
- Updated ExportDCS.lua file
- Added suport for PSGaguesV3 client (RDYF16)
- Revised Test Lights in DCS
- Added landing gear lights with MAL & IND LTS pushbutton 
- Added information in the Airplane Model while running the sim, which allows the user to enter the Airplane Model and see what lights are on and what are the actual values of the 7seg displays and servos (Airplane Model)

PS Cockpit Software V.1.0.1 Changelog:
- Corrected bug that made some lights not lighting with MAL & IND LTS pushbutton 

PS Cockpit Software V.1.0.0 Changelog:

- New UI skin can be customized by the user
- Added support for Adafruit Oled 128x32 (ID931) (Adafruit displays)
- New ExportDCS.lua for full A10C data extraction
- TN Game vest effects improved (TN Game Vest)
- Waltham A13A-2 Clock implemented (Airplane model)
- Oled DED display subroutine changed to show correct reverse video characters (for V1.6.1 firmware version)
- Now sttepers are set to 0 at PSCockpit exit. This avoid recalibration when changing the sim.
- Revised Server Mode to connect two computers where one is the sim computer and the second is the cockpit (TCP/IP)
- Revised Server Mode for DCS World data (TCP/IP)
- Revised Server Mode for PSGauges for Android (TCP/IP)
- Added commands received from PSGauges for Android (Commands)
- Added Start options (Settings)
- Added option for TWP and TWA when these panels have only one light per pushbutton (Airplane Model/Special I/Os)
- Corrected bug on time and minutes calculation giving an overflow error

You can download it at: Download

To update the firmware of the Main Board, visit: PS Cockpit Firmware Update v 1.6.1

Thanks all for your patient!!!

Regards,
Shep

PS Cockpit Firmware Update V.1.6.1

The new firmware V 1.6.1 for the PS Cockpit Main Boards is available for download!!

 

PS Cockpit System Firmware V.1.6.1 Changelog:

 

- Reverse video characters showing correct for the Oled DED diplay

You can download the firmware at: Download

Tools for upgrading the firmware:

 

-      Users of the PS Cockpit Main Boards of the 4^th Run and over can update the firmware in 64bits Windows operating system (These users do not need to update the firmware by now) with PSFirmUpdtV2-4thRunMainBoards

-      Users of the PS Cockpit Main Boards of previous runs can only update the firmware in 32 bits Windows operating systems PSFirmUpdtV1-PreviousMainBoards tool.

Do not try to update the firmware with the incorrect tool version!!! It will ruin the firmware. If you have any doubt about your Main Board tool please send me an email.

Regards,

Shep

PS Cockpit System F16 distribution file (Revision 2)

The distribution file for the F16 has been changed to reflect the new board or the 6th Run.

You can download the F16 Cockpit Rev.2 distribution file in pdf format at:

F16 Distribution File Rev2

And the distribution list in excel format at:

F16 Distribution File Rev2 Excel Sheet

Regards,
Shep

X40 board for Clock, Total Fuel, EPU Fuel and Cabin Press Gauges

The X40 board can be assembled with different elements depending on the function of the board to serve as Waltham A-13A clock, Total Fuel indicator and other gauges as EPU Fuel and Cabin Press. The elements needed in each case are the following:

As Waltham A-13A Clock:
-   (1) X40 front connection stepper motor with two concentric needles for hours and minutes needles
-   (1) Pushbutton for stopwatch
-   (1) Encoder for winding

As Total Fuel gauge:
-   (1) X40 front connection stepper motor with two concentric needles for A/L and F/R needles
-   (1) Adafruit Oled display ID938 or (1) Adafruit Oled display ID931 for total fuel indication

As EPU Fuel or Cabin Press gauges
-   (1) X27 front connection stepper motor for one needle

It comes with (1) 16 I/O chip to be connected to the digital I/O I2C channel of the PSCockpit system and its elements (resistors, connectors, …) to work with 5V, 8 SMD leds for panel backlight and, depending on the function, the pushbutton for stopclock and the digital encoder for winding.

Adafruit displays, X40 and X27 stepper motors are NOT included in the supply. Depending on the total orders I will be glad to make a buy group for these elements.

It will have different amount of free I/Os to connect some other elements depending on the function:
-   (5) free I/Os used as clock
-   ( 8 ) free I/Os used as Total Fuel gauge
-   (12) free I/Os used as EPU fuel or Cabin Press gauges

All elements are accessible with pins, so the pcb can be used also for other systems than the PSCockpit system.

You will find the following elements in the backside:
-   (1) Connector for backlight illumination.
-   (1) Connector for free digital I/Os of the 16 I/O chip.
-   (1) Mini-switch to select digital I2C channel address

The following connectors are not accessible with the PSCockpit system but they can be used for other systems:
-   (2) Connectors for the two stepper motors
-   (1) Connector for stopwatch pushbutton

The pcb dimensions are 63mm height x 60mm width and the mounting holes have a distance between them of 44mm.

Be aware that when using the Adafruit displays or the encoder for winding the thickness of the display or encoder will cause to move the panel plate 5mm so the needles may need some sort of spacer to reach the stepper motor. Not a big issue though.

Note for the clock

As the X40 stepper has only two needles, to match the real Waltham A-13A clock, the PSCockpit software will operate the clock as follows:

Stopwatch pushbutton:
-   First press will set the stopwatch mode by setting the minutes’ needle to 12 o’clock. The hours’ needle will remain indicating the time.
-   Second press will start the movement of the minutes’ needle in stopwatch mode
-   Third press will stop the movement of the needles.
-   Fourth press will set the mode to clock again.

Winding encoder:
-   Clockwise: winding, 8 full turns of the encoder will “wind” the clock for 8 days. After 8 days without winding, the clock won’t move. After two days without winding the clock will run slower 
-   Counter-clockwise: time set. The needles will be moved to set the time.

Regards,
Shep

TWA pcb

The TWA board has been designed the same way as the TWP. It needs only 12 mm allowance in the back. Rafi RF15-314200 pushbuttons can be used as well in the pcb by removing the supplied leds and pushbuttons. In this case the needed allowance in the back is 13 mm. Rafi pushbuttons are not supplied.

It comes with (1) 16 I/O chip to be connected to the digital I/O I2C channel of the PSCockpit system and its elements (resistors, connectors, …) to work with 5V and one digital encoder (DIM).

It has 2 I/O free and six SMD leds for lettering backlight are also included.

You will find the following elements in the backside:
-   (1) Connector for backlight illumination.
-   (2) Connectors for digital I/O I2C channel.
-   (1) Mini-switch to select digital I2C channel address
-   (1) Connectors for 2 free digital I/Os of the 16 I/O chip.

To complete the TWA you must add by yourself the front panel, pushbuttons caps and some separator to avoid the light going to other buttons.

Please check the dimensions of the TWA front panel at:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/st8n944v68tl4gd/TWPandTWA-A3.pdf

Regards,
Shep

TWP pcb

The TWP board has been designed for cockpits using display screens for MFD and/or RWR where the room available in the area does not permit using large illuminated pushbuttons. It needs only 12 mm allowance in the back and the connectors have been located at the edges. Rafi RF15-314200 pushbuttons can be used as well in the pcb by removing the supplied leds and pushbuttons. In this case the needed allowance in the back is 13 mm. Rafi pushbuttons are not supplied.

It comes with (1) 40 I/O chip to be connected to the digital I/O I2C channel of the PSCockpit system and its elements (resistors, connectors, …) to work with 5V.

It has 22 I/O free where other panels in the area can be connected (left eyebrow and left indexer or Misc panel) saving one 16 I/O pcb used for those panels. Four SMD leds for lettering backlight are also included.

You will find the following elements in the backside:
-   (1) Connector for backlight illumination.
-   (2) Connectors for digital I/O I2C channel.
-   (1) Miniswitch to select digital I2C channel address
-   (3) Connectors for 22 free digital I/Os of the 40 I/O chip.

To complete the TWP you must add by yourself the front panel, pushbuttons caps and some separator to avoid the light going to other buttons.

Please check the dimensions of the TWP front panel at:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/st8n944v68tl4gd/TWPandTWA-A3.pdf

Regards,
Shep

PSCockpit System 6th Run!!!

Time to launch a new run of the PSCockit System!!

New boards for this run:
- TWP pcb.... more info here
- TWA pcb.... more info here
- X40 stepper pcb (for Clock, Total Fuel and more).... more info here

Version 1.0.0 of the PSCockpit software:

Description
- One stop hardware and software for cockpit systems. Once the cockpit is connected you can configure the software individually for each sim.
- Easy configuration and setup for people without electronic knowledge.
- Avoid excessive wiring runs along the cockpit.

The system uses small satellite PCB’s that can be distributed along the cockpit. The communication between these satellite PCB’s and the Main PCB is done with only 2 wires (I2C protocol) plus the power cables. These wires can be connected in daisy chain. The idea is to wire each of the cockpit panels to only one satellite PCB. See F16 distribution example:

Supported devices
-   Digital inputs: Pushbuttons, 2 position switches, 3 position switches, digital encoders, BCD encoding (8 to 3, 16 to 4, 32 to 5) and 8x4 matrixes
-   Digital outputs and leds
-   Analogue inputs and outputs
-   Vibration motors
-   Aircores motors
-   Stepper motors: Unipolar, X27 and X40
-   RC Servomotors
-   Segment Displays: 7 segment and SLG2016
-   LCD displays: SSD1322 Graphic display 264x64, KS0108 Graphic display 128 x 64, KS0108B Text display 20x4, SSD1306 Adafruit 128x64 (ID938 and ID931)

More information, downloads and guides at http://psfalcon.blogspot.com.es/2015/05/pscockpit-system-up-to-date-software.html

Pricing and ordering information at:
http://www.viperpits.org/smf/index.php/topic,10715.0.html

Time Line
- Orders will be accepted until Dec. 18th.
- Only direct bank transfers will be accepted. Sorry for the inconvenience.
- Delivery: Starting on February 2016

Information about new boards to follow soon.

Regards,
Shep

New PScockpit System Pcbs Distribution for the F16 Block 52

New PScockpit System pcbs distribution for the F16 Block 52, now in pdf format:

You can down load at: http://psfalcon.blogspot.com.es/2015/04/ps-cockpit-system-f16-distribution-file.html

Regards,
Shep

PSCockpit Quick Guide v4

You can download the last version of the PSCockpit Guide v4 here

Regards
Shep

PS Cockpit Software V.0.9.9 Update

The new version V.0.9.9 auto installable version of the PS Cockpit Software is available for download!!

PS Cockpit Software V.0.9.9 Changelog:

- JFS magnet driven by JET_FUEL_STARTED bit (BMS4.33)
- Added "software switch" function for analogue inputs (Commnands)
- Added "software encoder" fuction for analogue inputs (Commands)
- Added all the lights for TWA and TWP (F16 Model)
- Corrected the TWA and TWP lights to work as BMS 4.33 manual, including the flashing modes
- Corrected analogue bars when testing aircores (IOLayout)
- Added momentary coils for homemade magnetic switches (Airplane Models: Solenoids)
- Added speedbrakes solenoids (F16Model: Solenoids)
- Added UHF Off bit driven by OFF selector and COMM1 switch (Airplane Models: Special I/Os)
- Added CMDS pcb and ICP Rev1 pcb description (QuickGuideV4)
- Added warning on the IOLayout page about the issue that the stepper motors have to be connected in certain expander ranges (IOLayout)
- Changed overcurrent and overpower warnings to not consider expanders changed to "None" (IOLayout)
- Added Enter, Del, Escape, Page Up and Page Down keyboards inputs in the IOLayout for better eficiency (IOLayout)
- Added warning before going into RUN mode if the sim window name where to send commands hasn't been defined (PSCockpit)
- Removed warning when changing the sim and the airplane model is the same (PSCockpit)
- Added dropdown list with BMS callbacks. Now you can assign commands directly from the BMS callbacks with a left clik of the mouse on a given position in the list of switches, pushbuttons,.. (IOLayout)

You can download it at: Download

To update the firmware of the Main Board, visit: PS Cockpit Firmware Update

Thanks all for your patient!!!

Regards,
Shep

HOW TO Configure the CMDS Panel

For CMDS Board description, options and how to configure the expander address, see PSCockpit Quick Guide V.4 – CMDS PCB. You can access the Quick Guide from Help/Quick Guide menu in the PSCockpit software.

To configure the PSCockpit CMDS panel select the correct option from the Expander pull down list in the IOLayout page of the PS Cockpit Software at the correct I2C channel depending of your hardware:
- CMDS+SLG if you have SLG2016 displays in your CMDS pcb
- CMDS+7Seg if you have 7 segment displays in your CMDS pcb

In case of there is some data already in the selected expander, the software will prompt you for continue:

The software will prompt you to setup the SLG2016 or 7 segment displays in our Airplane model:

The software will also prompt you to add the standard BMS commands for the CMDS:

If you accept, the software will prompt you to search for your BMS .key file and will automatically search for the key strokes you have set in your .key file for the CMDS:

If any of the commands hasn't been set you will see a warning indicating how many commands haven't been set and the Commands page of the PSCockpit software will appear:

Once the CMDS panel is already configured you can modify the list of inputs/outputs as desire as well as the free I/O of the expander:

Be aware that once the configuration is saved, whenever you enter the IOLayout Page you won’t see “CMDS+SLG” label on the expander anymore but the 40 I/O label.

Regards,
Shep

HOW TO Configure the ICP Rev1 Panel

For ICP Rev1 Board description, options, and how to configure the expander address, see PSCockpit Quick Guide V.4 – ICP REV1 PCB. You can access the Quick Guide from Help/Quick Guide menu in the PSCockpit software.

Digital I/Os

To configure the PS Cockpit ICP Rev1 panel just select ICP Rev1 Board from the Expander pull down list in the IOLayout page of the PS Cockpit Software at the correct I2C channel and expander configured in your ICP Rev1 board (see PSCockpit Quick Guide V.4 – ICP Rev 1 PCB):

In case of there is some data already in the selected expander, the software will prompt you for continue:

The software will also prompt you to add the standard BMS commands for the ICP:

If you accept, the software will prompt you to search for your BMS .key file and will automatically search for the key strokes you have set in your .key file for the ICP:

If any of the commands hasn't been set you will see a warning indicating how many commands haven't been set and the Commands page of the PSCockpit software will appear:

Once the ICP panel is already configured you can modify the list of inputs/outputs as desire as well as the free I/O of the expander:

Be aware that once the configuration is saved, whenever you enter the IOLayout Page you won’t see “ICP Rev1 Board” label on the expander anymore but the 40 I/O label.

Analogue inputs

You have to repeat the process for the analogue inputs by selecting “ICP Analogue” in the I2C Main Channel:

The expander will be configured as shown:

Be aware that once the configuration is saved, whenever you enter the IOLayout Page you won’t see “ICP Analogue” label on the expander anymore but the Analogue label.

To use the analogue inputs inside the sim with the PS Cockpit Joystick refer to http://psfalcon.blogspot.com.es/2012/01/how-to-use-analog-inputs-with-ps.html

Regards,
Shep

HOW TO Assing Keystrokes in PSCockpit System (COMMANDS)

One of the most important thing is how to interface the inputs of the cockpit (switches, encoders, BCD,...) with the sim. In the PSCockpit system, this interface is made by means of sending key strokes to the sim window once one input has changed its previous status.

The key stroke sequence to be sent to the sim is defined in the Command page of the PSCockpit software. To set an specific command for each physical input element, follow this procedure:

1. Select type of input element (pushbutton, switch, ...) by clicking in the upper menu.
2. Select the joystick DX pushbutton in the dropdown list if you want to want to send a different key stroke combination while pressing the joystick button. If you want to send the key stroke combination without pressing any DX pushbutton of your joystick, select blank from the drop down list.
3. Select the Window name of the application you want to send the key stroke combination to. To fill the name list of application windows read the following post: HOW TO Assign Key Strokes to Different Applications. Of course, the most important window name will be your favorite sim!.
4. Select the position inside the matrix in which you want to place the key combination. A grey field will appear on that position.
5. Select the key stroke combination by clicking on the keyboard or directly from your keyboard.
6. The key stroke combination will appear in the middle frame.
7. You can review in the Explorer frame if you have already assigned the key stroke. 
8. Click on "Replace" and the key combination will be transferred to the selected position of the matrix. If you click on "Delete" the key stroke combination will be deleted from the selected position of the matrix. If you click on "Search" the key combination will be searched in the matrix and if it is found in any position, it will be showed in the first line of the matrix.
9. You can see the decimal and hexadecimal values of the key in the green frame and also the key codes for Falcon in the orange frame where you can copy by clicking on it.

You can change the keyboard to English/Spanish by clicking on Keyboard.

If you have another keyboard or the key is not working correctly in your sim, you can reassign the control code of the key by clicking on the desired key with the right button of the mouse. A box will appear asking for the new key code in decimal format:

For Falcon BMS sim users, the key file (.key) can be loaded by clicking on "BMS Key File".
You can read the procedure in the following post: HOW TO Assign Commands from Falcon BMS Key File

KEY STROKE OPTIONS

Some of the input devices have key stroke options. The explanation of those is the following:

Pushbutton and Switches:
- Normal: Each time the input is activated the ON key stroke sequence is sent to the designated window. Each time the input is deactivated the OFF key stroke sequence is sent to the designated window.
- Hold key: The stoke sequence is sent continuously until the input is deactivated. You must stablish the same key stroke sequence in either ON and OFF fields.

3 Pos Switches:
- POS 1: When the 3 position switch is activated in position 1 the key stroke sequence is sent to the designated window.
- POS 2: When the 3 position switch is activated in position 2 the key stroke sequence is sent to the designated window.
- CENTER: When the 3 position switch is deactivated (center position) the key stroke sequence is sent to the designated window.

Encoders:
- Normal: When the encoder is rotated clockwise direction, the key stroke sequence under CW Turn will be sent to the designated window. Likewise, when the encoder is rotated counterclockwise direction the key stroke sequence under CCW Turn will be sent to the designated window
- Pulse: Reserved for future use.
- INV: When the INV tick is checked, the key stroke sequence sent to the designated window will be the opposite of the turning direction. This option allows to avoid rewiring of the encoder in case is reversed.

Analogue Inputs
When using pots in the PSCockpit system you can modify their behavior by selecting one of the following options:
- SET POINT: By selecting a set point, a single key stroke sequence under Above SP will be sent to the designated window whenever the set point is bypassed by the analogue signal. Likewise, a single key stroke sequence will be sent to the designated window whenever the analogue signal goes under the stablished set point. The set point options are 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90% and 95% of the analogue input total scale. This feature is useful to replicate by software the on/off switch functionality for pots with no such switch.
- ENC: By ticking the ENC check box, the pot will act as an encoder, sending the key stroke sequence under Above SP to the designated window each time the analogue signal bypass the amount in % established in the Set Point. Likewise, the Below SP key stroke signal will be sent to the designated windows whenever the analogue signal lower that amount in %.

Kind regards,
Shep