Hi All:
I'm doing a project that looks like only a microcontroller will be able to handle efficiently. Problem is...while I'm an older dude who's pretty well tech-savvy, I'm brand new to the world of microcontrollers and don't have a clue where to start. About the project: I thought it was original, but come to find out, LOTS of folks have been here before me. Anyway, it involves making a psuedo-cockpit for Flight Simulator that adds realism (switches, levers, buttons, knobs, etc). I have all the control functions needed to run F/S, and I've found all the scan-codes for keyboard emulation. Hacking a keyboard is an option, but there are some inherent problems with this approach: (1) Some of the functions are multi (and sequential) codes, for example: Setting the Altitude Bug is CTRL+SHIFT+Z. (2) I need to turn on (and leave on until the next toggle of the function) specific LED's. Autopilot, for example: I need to send a momentary "Z" from the keyboard, which enables A/P and sets (and holds) the A/P indicator lite, until I send another momentary "Z", which disables A/P and turns the light off.
Again, this could be done with hardware, but there are a lot of functions involved, which would require a mountain of hardware and wiring, and I'm thinking that a microcontroller would do most...if not all...of these functions a whole lot easier and more efficiently.
So...I've read the "Newbie" post, which seemed VERY helpful. I'll certainly browse through the tutorials and download the recommended files, too. But I'm a designer/developer of very technical equipment, I have no problem grasping new concepts, and I hate to start at the very bottom. I was hoping someone of the more experienced folks here could help get me started...maybe shortcut my way into this thing.
Thanks in advance for any responses...
Garry
I'm doing a project that looks like only a microcontroller will be able to handle efficiently. Problem is...while I'm an older dude who's pretty well tech-savvy, I'm brand new to the world of microcontrollers and don't have a clue where to start. About the project: I thought it was original, but come to find out, LOTS of folks have been here before me. Anyway, it involves making a psuedo-cockpit for Flight Simulator that adds realism (switches, levers, buttons, knobs, etc). I have all the control functions needed to run F/S, and I've found all the scan-codes for keyboard emulation. Hacking a keyboard is an option, but there are some inherent problems with this approach: (1) Some of the functions are multi (and sequential) codes, for example: Setting the Altitude Bug is CTRL+SHIFT+Z. (2) I need to turn on (and leave on until the next toggle of the function) specific LED's. Autopilot, for example: I need to send a momentary "Z" from the keyboard, which enables A/P and sets (and holds) the A/P indicator lite, until I send another momentary "Z", which disables A/P and turns the light off.
Again, this could be done with hardware, but there are a lot of functions involved, which would require a mountain of hardware and wiring, and I'm thinking that a microcontroller would do most...if not all...of these functions a whole lot easier and more efficiently.
So...I've read the "Newbie" post, which seemed VERY helpful. I'll certainly browse through the tutorials and download the recommended files, too. But I'm a designer/developer of very technical equipment, I have no problem grasping new concepts, and I hate to start at the very bottom. I was hoping someone of the more experienced folks here could help get me started...maybe shortcut my way into this thing.
Thanks in advance for any responses...
Garry