
FSIO-Gen-I/O board

FSIO-Input-72 board provides 72 inputs available for the simulator input devices (buttons, switches, rotary switches, encoders). IDC-10 socket connector and a corresponding ribbon cable is used for the connection.
A single IDC-10 connector allows to connect:
– eight single input devices (pins 1-8)
– GND signal (pin 9)
Pin number 10 is not used.
There are 9 IDC-10 connectors in total on the board, thus 9 x 8 inputs = 72 total inputs available.
FSIO-In and FSIO-Out connectors allows to connect the board to FSIO Input/Output chain.
I will use gear lever design from Andreas site.
Materials needed:
3mm aluminium plate, screws, nuts and washers, PVC tube, swiches, 3D printed wheel.
Commercially available throttle quadrant units are very expensive. Flying with Saitek TQ sounds better than joystick, but putting your hand on a real TQ levers is a dream of every simmer.
Here is the exciting moment. After connecting Overhead LEDs it is time to see whether it works or something needs to be fixed. There is “lamp test” function programmed into the FSIO switching on all FSIO connected outputs, simply triggered by right FSIO-CPU-Board push button. Remember, the left push button is assigned to RESET and accidentally pressing it will temporarily disconnect the CPU board.
The first CPU board prototype is working.
The copper clad with traces has been etched at home, at a time when children were at school.
After etching and cleansing with water the holes were drilled on a CNC machine. You can see the CNC in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bw7jIPbdF8
A little bit of time spent on soldering components, inserting the CPU and board is ready for testing.
Continue reading “CPU board prototyping” →