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Arduino + Xbox/PS controllers

Former Member

Hi everyone!

 

I am new to arduino but have a project that I'm working in involving arduino and console controllers. Currently I do a bunch of simple mods to these controllers like adding switches to the bottom of the controller so you can use your other fingers while you're playing without having to take your thumb off of the stick. What I'd really love to do is put arduino (or some other controller) inside the controller so that I could map the buttons I install to any other button on the fly.

 

What I'm wondering is if there is any way I can use the arduino to close the circuit on the console controller PCB?

 

I'm going to use the console controller's common ground and power (5v) to run the nano that I have, and essentially just need to get the arduino to close a circuit (like the little tactile switches I'm using now).

 

  • I've read that I could use an optocoupler, but also that they're really better for isolating circuit that could potentially harm eachother.
  • I've also read that I could use a transistor.

 

I have both of those, so no big deal - but was also curious if I could go without either since I'll be using the console controller to power the nano and they'd be sharing ground as well.

 

Thanks in advance!

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  • So some things to find out

     

    Are the buttons all working by connecting a wire to ground, this can be discovered by testng with a meter to see if there is one common connection between all the buttons. If there is then there is a good chance you will not need an opto isolator

     

    if the buttons are wired in a matrix then an opto isolator will allow you to still close the switch as it would not have a common ground to worry about

     

    An optoisolator still has a transistor as its output so there is no difference there, the difference is a common ground or a matrix switch array, if common ground then no isolator needed, if a matrix then you will need one

  • in reply to Robert Peter Oakes

    Yes, you essentially just close the circuit by connecting it to a common ground on the board.

     

    so I've only messed with the pins by setting them high or low...how would I make it "close the loop" so to speak?

  • in reply to Former Member

    If there simply shorting the pin to the ground plane then you can use a NPN transistor (Collector to the high side of the switch, emitter to the gnd side, drive the transistor base through say a 1K resistor or something

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