NexGen Sim: Converting the Game Port to USB - F-18E Joystick - Part 4.1

15 Jan 2018

I was going to use my Suncom F-18 Tallon Joystick but I had an F-18 Joystick from High Rev Simulations. They over-built stuff, now DOA, but Bugeye Technologies can help you. The switches are all Military quality made by Otto Controls. The Joystick base has Hall Effect sensors for the Roll and Pitch axes

IDE-34	Pin*	Pin Name*	Connection
	22	AAS_PB	Auto Acquisition Switch: Pull Back
	23	AAS_PF	Auto Acquisition Switch: Push Forward
	24	ASS_sel	Auto Acquisition Switch: Push Down
	25	WRB_sel	Weapon Release Button: Push Down
	26	CS_sel	Castle Switch: Push Down
	27	CS_TD	Castle Switch: Tip-Down
	28	CS_TU	Castle Switch: Tip-Up
	29	CS_TR	Castle Switch: Tip-Right
	30	CS_TL	Castle Switch: Tip-Left
	31	NWS_sel	Nosewheel Steering Button: Push
	32	TRMS_PF	Trim Switch: Tip-Front
	33	TRMS_PR	Trim Switch: Tip-Rear
	34	TRMS_YR	Trim Switch: Tip-Right
	35	TRMS_YL	Trim Switch: Tip-Left
	36	TRMS_sel	Trim Switch: Push Down
	37	PDLS_sel	Paddle Switch:
	38	GUN_sel	Gun Trigger:
	39	RECS_sel	RECCE Switch
	GND		GRIP GROUND
BLACK			HES.1: Ground
BLACK			HES.2: Ground
RED			HES.3: Vdd (+5vdc)
GREEN	A0		HES.4: X-Axis
WHITE	A1		HES.5: Y-Axis
			HES.6: "R"
			HES.7: "B"

The Plan:

Well, the first thing I have to do is take it apart to determine the pin-outs. It's time to poke around with my DVM. The first thing is to find Ground. I need a reference for the switch www.f-15e.info has all of the info and more. It seems that the joystick IDE interface has problems, So I'm going to do a rewire of sorts that is just replace the internal wiring and connectors with a round Floppy IDE cable that has a plastic cover over a shield and it has very tiny wires.

The columns Pin and Pin Name refer to an Arduino Mega 256, the Pin Name is the Symbolic name used in my Program.

Wiring should be straightforward I just need 2 male 34pin headers (Wire-Wrap). A small PCB. The pin is offset by 1 space so Pin #1 of the cable is P22 on the Arduino.

There is one other thing to deal with, its the Hall Effect Sensor Plate, for the X and Y Axises This requires a separate connector a MOLEX 7-Pin 2.54mm Female Locking Connector.

In the photo (lower left) you can see the plate with the Hall Effect Sensor plate and the tube to which the stick is mounted. I will peel off seven wires from the bundle.