A super smooth Joystick and Throttle part 3: wiring and software (with download)

33 thoughts on “A super smooth Joystick and Throttle part 3: wiring and software (with download)”

1. 

   Hi!
   I come out with an idea how to solve the “not going back OFF” problem with xplane and switches.
   I just add another virtual switch which is not connected at all to board and then I add code:
   if (switch_state[i]) {
   Joystick.pressButton(i);
   Joystick.releaseButton(i+14);
   }

   else {
   Joystick.pressButton(i+14);
   Joystick.releaseButton(i);
   }
   In my case it is 14, you may have it different.
   Remebmer to change also “MAX_SWITCHES” and “switch_pin”.

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   Posted by Filip | April 28, 2022, 20:42
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2. 

   Hi there, I’m using this code with xplane11 and I have some trouble with my switchs (MTS-101 ON-OFF in real, lights in xplane). I wanted to reduce pins occupancy in my Arduino so I have only ON and GND connected to my switches. The problem is, when I toggle the switch on, something also toggles on in xplane, but if I toggle it off, it stays in place and I have to move my switch up one more times. I tried to code with some delays, else, if etc. even tried to change wirings but I’m beginner so its really hard for me. Maybe something to toggle for 0.1s when the button is turning off… Any advices? I will be very grateful 🙂

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   Posted by Filip | April 28, 2022, 19:28
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3. 

   I followed the link to Alliexpress for the 10K slider pot and the page had 5 shown which all seemed the same. Not sure which to go for. I did try this project about a year or so ago after ordering what looked like an ideantical slider pot on eBay (UK) which turned out to be a 10K log pot which was no good for use as a throttle. I couldn’t find a linear pot at the time. Looking at all of the Alliexpress ones and can’t see mentioned if they are a log or lionear pot.

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   Posted by Rob | April 16, 2021, 12:28
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   • 

     The pots on Ali are all logarithmic, or have an S curve. You’ll have to get used to that with the throttle, which is doable … it’s actually quite nice to have fine control in the lower area for finer tuning with landings. 🙂 It’ll be hard to find a linear pot on Ali, or they mention they are, but then they are not, I’ve had a money back situation like that, I now have the pots and the money. 🙂 If you really want linear you’ll have to go to a more specialized shop, and they’ll probably be around $10.

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     Posted by RudyB | April 17, 2021, 07:47
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     • 

       Thanks Rudy. I must admiy I never thought of the advantages of using a log slider pot. Most of the ones available are probably designed around sound use with things like mixing desks. I will certainly give one a try.

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       Posted by Rob | April 17, 2021, 10:52
   • 

     Try desktopaviator.com. They have slider pots I use for throttle, prop, mixture

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     Posted by TB2 | May 28, 2021, 03:50
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4. 

   This is awesome, thanks for sharing it, with the rest of your stuff !!
   i am trying to try my hand but i am a beginner with arduino. escapes me how you connected the slider pot on A3, because a 2 pin output. I see in the photos that you worked on both outputs, so I don’t understand.
   would you be kind enough to give me a tip?

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   Posted by Nano GGFamily | April 15, 2021, 16:19
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   • 

     Hi. On the picture of the slider pot the red and brown wores are 5V and GND, with thoise the pot is used as a simpple means of looping through. The black wire on the picture is the signal wire that goes to the Arduino.

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     Posted by RudyB | April 16, 2021, 11:19
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     • 

       then OTA on Arudino, and OTB on GND. Thank you so much!

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       Posted by Nano GGFamily | April 19, 2021, 20:36
5. 

   Hello.
   I am just on my way to build my own steering tiller for an A320 with your example.
   One idea for improvement:
   You used for your S-curve three linear zones within 0 to 1023.
   With the following formula you could make it a real smooth s-curve:
   OUTPUT=((0,4*(2*INPUT/1023-1)+(0,6)*(2*INPUT/1023-1)^3)/(2/1023))+511,5
   Ole

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   Posted by Ole | March 19, 2021, 12:58
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   • 

     Great idea …

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     Posted by RudyB | March 19, 2021, 13:10
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6. 

   Rudy
   can you help me (in Dutch)
   im stuck with my project need diagram of wiring checked en i need the sketchcode for it only buttons ,toggles and 4 sliders to work i just cant program myself i have no idea how

   https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JVds3JE-t4uZ1wcBstRQxXiE2UzsjBz0/view?usp=sharing

   can you hel me with it

   there are 6 (on/Off) toggles
   3 (On/Off/On) momentary toggles
   5 (On/Off/On) 2 way turn knobs momentary
   5 (On/Off) push buttons Momentary
   4 Potentiometers Sliders

   I realy could need some help
   being at it for 2 monts now (;

   regards John

   PS. you can answer in dutch

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   Posted by John Post | December 28, 2020, 05:19
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   • 

     Welke Arduino gebruik je en op welke pinnen heb je alles aangesloten … kan je daar een lijsje van sturen?

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     Posted by RudyB | December 28, 2020, 07:50
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     • 

       ik heb de Arduino MEga besteld maar daar werkt de joystick code niet dus nu de Leonardo maar bestellen
       Dit is mijn Wire diagram (in PSD) elke laag apart te openen
       en mijn Code die voor de leo geen errors geeft maar voor ik de LEO bestel wil ik graag checken of fit ook mogelijk is op een MEGA

       De Wire Diagram voor de LEO
       https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eE9CmMQumezd8bw-TZDhM0r4Jux7gFRu/view?usp=sharing

       De LEO code
       https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sjpP-ZT4OnwDDvgFGEqu15-SPWaGvNTn/view?usp=sharing

       Maar wilde dit gebruiken op de MEGA
       https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lvnhPusRKkGKbO_LREa2b-AgLgcFn3rk/view?usp=sharing

       indeling en functie van de knoppen
       https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W762-HygamjlzgiDLYDTRNs2Cj3Kd3wX/view?usp=sharing

       Groet John

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       Posted by John Post | December 28, 2020, 12:23
     • 

       Voor zover ik weet werkt het niet met een Mega. De Leonardo heeft een andere USB interface die zich gedraagt als een HID interface naar de computer. Je zult een paar digitale inputs minder kunnen gebruiken dan op je lijstje staan. Ik moet even naar de code kijken welke inputs gebruikt kunnen worden, dan kan niet eerder dan eind van de week.

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       Posted by RudyB | December 28, 2020, 15:29
     • 

       Komt goed ik zie het wel tegemoed

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       Posted by John Post | December 28, 2020, 15:38
7. 

   I’m using this to create a custom yoke for X-Plane. I’ve loaded the code to an Arduino Leonardo and have three potentiometers which I’m hooking up to A0 thru A3.

   X-Plane recognizes the Leonardo and accepts input for the calibration process, however I’m seeing what looks like crosstalk.

   If I connect a pot to A0 and rotate it I see output changes to the outputs to A0, A1, A2 and A5 but not A4.

   I’ve added decoupling caps to the Vcc and AREF, thinking it might be electrical, but that didn’t help.

   Any idea what bug I may be chasing?

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   Posted by Dexter Francis | October 21, 2020, 21:58
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8. 

   Great project! Built it in a couple of plastic boxes instead of the wooden craftmanship needed and now using it daily with MSFS. Much better feeling that any flight joystick I have used before, including X52 and various other Saiteks.

   One thing: the button simulation of the rotary encoder in RBO_Joystick_Encoder_Pulses did not work for me when using Arduino IDE 1.8.13 on Windows. The buttons registered as pressed but never released.
   The issue was that the variable rotary in read_rotary function had to be initialized so adding “rotary = 0;” before the enc_clk = … line fixes this! Might be something in newer versions of the compiler that needs this?

   Next enhancement is to use a PCF8574 to be able to add more buttons 🙂 anybody done any mod of this to add more buttons via a 8574 or similar?

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   Posted by Copson | October 17, 2020, 15:34
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9. 

   Hi, again, anyway I can combine the code below for Force/Feedback/Vibration with your code?
   https://github.com/YukMingLaw/ArduinoJoystickWithFFBLibrary

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   Posted by Eric | September 8, 2020, 16:17
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   • 

     I have no idea … only onme way to find out … just try.

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     Posted by RudyB | September 10, 2020, 09:24
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10. 

    Hello,
    Thank you for sharing this.
    The Axis Y and X responding only at the very end, any way to fix this?
    By the way, is this is the latest version?
    last question, any way to add HAT and maybe force back?
    Regards

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    Posted by Eric | August 16, 2020, 15:57
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    • 

      Is your potentiometer maybe of the logarithmic type in stead of linear? You could check by loading a sketch that does nothing more than serial print the analog value rad from the input pin.
      Yes, the download is the latest version, although I created another version where the digital encoder is not translated to an analog value but rather sends out pulses to be used for instance as pitch trim.
      HAT switches can of course be added as push buttons, provided you have enough input pins. you may have to start using a digital input matrix, such that with 4+4 inputs you have 16 switches.

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      Posted by RudyB | August 24, 2020, 09:02
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      • 

        Thank you so much for the quick reply.
        I am about to finish a crazy project where I used very old Joystick (Loigitec Wingman Force) from the 90s and gave a new life with you help of cours.
        You can see the picture and great responses at Reddit:

        New life to my 1998 Logitech WingMan Force Joystick from ArduinoProjects

        New life to my 1998 Logitech WingMan Force Joystick from arduino

        Still looking for a solution to use the Force Back with the motors ;-(

        Cheers!

        LikeLike

        Posted by Eric | September 5, 2020, 15:35
      • 

        Hello, I am using a pro micro, so without A4 and A5 I could not use your code directly. I made some alterations to fit my board and setup, everything works great, except the encoder. I cannot get it to change the value of the assigned axis, it just stays in the middle. I will post my code below. Do you happen to have the other version using pulses for the pitch trim available?

        // CONFIG
        #define MAX_SWITCHES 7 // the number of switches
        byte switch_pin[MAX_SWITCHES] = {2,3,5,7,14,15,16}; // digital input pins
        #define DEBOUNCE_TIME 5 // ms delay before the push button changes state
        #define MAX_ANALOG 4 // the number of analog inputs
        byte analog_pin[MAX_ANALOG] = {A0,A1,A2,A3}; // analog input pins Rx,Ry,RUDDER,THROTTLE
        #define ENC_CLK_PIN A8 // rotary encoder CLK input
        #define ENC_DAT_PIN A9 // rotary encoder DATA input
        #define ENC_MAX 127 // max value of the rotary encoder
        #define ENC_MIN -127 // min value of the rotary encoder
        #define ENC_ZERO 0 // value to jump to after pressing encoder switch
        // END CONFIG

        // DECLARATIONS
        #include “Joystick.h”
        Joystick_ Joystick(JOYSTICK_DEFAULT_REPORT_ID,JOYSTICK_TYPE_JOYSTICK, MAX_SWITCHES, 0, false, false, true, true, true, false, true, true, false, false, false);
        byte reading, clk, clk_old;
        byte switch_state[MAX_SWITCHES];
        byte switch_state_old[MAX_SWITCHES];
        int analog_value[MAX_ANALOG+1]; // +1 for the rotary encoder value
        unsigned long debounce_time[MAX_SWITCHES+1]; // +1 for CLK of rotary encoder
        // END DECLARATIONS

        // FUNCTIONS
        int read_rotary_encoder() {
        clk = digitalRead(ENC_CLK_PIN);
        if (clk == clk_old) debounce_time[MAX_SWITCHES] = millis() + (unsigned long)DEBOUNCE_TIME;
        else if (millis() > debounce_time[MAX_SWITCHES]) { // clk has changed and is stable long enough
        clk_old = clk;
        if (clk) {if (digitalRead(ENC_DAT_PIN)) return 1; else return -1;}
        }
        return 0;
        }
        // END FUNCTIONS

        // SETUP
        void setup() {
        for (byte i=0; i<MAX_SWITCHES; i++) pinMode(switch_pin[i],INPUT_PULLUP);
        pinMode(ENC_CLK_PIN,INPUT_PULLUP);
        pinMode(ENC_DAT_PIN,INPUT_PULLUP);
        pinMode(13,OUTPUT); // on board LED
        digitalWrite(13,0);
        Joystick.begin(false);
        Joystick.setRxAxisRange(0, 1023);
        Joystick.setRyAxisRange(0, 1023);
        Joystick.setRudderRange(0, 1023);
        Joystick.setZAxisRange(ENC_MIN, ENC_MAX);
        Joystick.setThrottleRange(0, 1023);
        } // END SETUP

        // LOOP
        void loop() {
        for (byte i=0; i debounce_time[i]) switch_state[i] = reading;
        if (switch_state[i] != switch_state_old[i]) { // debounced button has changed state
        // this code is executed once after change of state
        digitalWrite(13,switch_state[i]);
        if (switch_state[i]) Joystick.pressButton(i); else Joystick.releaseButton(i);
        if (i==2) analog_value[A8] = ENC_ZERO;
        switch_state_old[i] = switch_state[i]; // store new state such that the above gets done only once
        }
        } //END read the switches

        for (byte i=0; i<MAX_ANALOG; i++) { // read analog inputs
        analog_value[i] = analogRead(analog_pin[i]);
        if (analog_value[i] < 256) analog_value[i] = analog_value[i] * 1.5;
        else if (analog_value[i] < 768) analog_value[i] = 256 + analog_value[i] / 2;
        else analog_value[i] = 640 + (analog_value[i] – 768) * 1.5;
        switch(i) {
        case 0:
        Joystick.setRxAxis(analog_value[0]);
        break;
        case 1:
        Joystick.setRyAxis(analog_value[1]);
        break;
        case 2:
        Joystick.setRudder(analog_value[2]);
        break;
        case 3:
        Joystick.setThrottle(analog_value[3]);
        break;
        }
        }
        analog_value[8] = analog_value[8] + read_rotary_encoder();
        Joystick.setZAxis(analog_value[8]);
        // use 2 switches simultaneously to quickly calibrate the rotary encoder
        if (!digitalRead(switch_pin[3]) && !digitalRead(switch_pin[2])) analog_value[8] = ENC_MAX;
        if (!digitalRead(switch_pin[5]) && !digitalRead(switch_pin[2])) analog_value[8] = ENC_MIN;
        Joystick.sendState();
        delay(10);
        } // END LOOP

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        Posted by Clinton E Melson | September 8, 2020, 08:08
      • 

        I’ll send you an email with the pulse code. Ruud.

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        Posted by RudyB | September 8, 2020, 08:14
11. 

    HI
    is the code correct without rotary encoder with 12 botton?

    // Ruud Boer, June 2018
    // Joystick with Arduino Leonardo

    // CONFIG
    #define MAX_SWITCHES 13 // the number of switches
    byte switch_pin[MAX_SWITCHES] = {2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,16,14,15}; // digital input pins
    #define DEBOUNCE_TIME 5 // ms delay before the push button changes state
    #define MAX_ANALOG 4 // the number of analog inputs
    byte analog_pin[MAX_ANALOG] = {A0,A1,A2,A3}; // analog input pins X,Y,Z,THROT
    #define ENC_CLK_PIN A4 // rotary encoder CLK input
    #define ENC_DAT_PIN A5 // rotary encoder DATA input
    #define ENC_MAX 127 // max value of the rotary encoder
    #define ENC_MIN -127 // min value of the rotary encoder
    #define ENC_ZERO 0 // value to jump to after pressing encoder switch
    // END CONFIG

    // DECLARATIONS
    #include “Joystick.h”
    Joystick_ Joystick(JOYSTICK_DEFAULT_REPORT_ID,JOYSTICK_TYPE_JOYSTICK, MAX_SWITCHES, 0, true, true, true, false, false, false, true, true, false, false, false);
    byte reading, clk, clk_old;
    byte switch_state[MAX_SWITCHES];
    byte switch_state_old[MAX_SWITCHES];
    int analog_value[MAX_ANALOG+1]; // +1 for the rotary encoder value
    unsigned long debounce_time[MAX_SWITCHES+1]; // +1 for CLK of rotary encoder
    // END DECLARATIONS

    // SETUP
    void setup() {
    Joystick.begin(false);
    Joystick.setXAxisRange(-511, 511);
    Joystick.setYAxisRange(-511, 511);
    Joystick.setZAxisRange(-511, 511);
    Joystick.setRudderRange(ENC_MIN, ENC_MAX);
    Joystick.setThrottleRange(0, 1023);
    } // END SETUP

    // LOOP
    void loop() {
    for (byte i=0; i debounce_time[i]) switch_state[i] = reading;
    if (switch_state[i] != switch_state_old[i]) { // debounced button has changed state
    // this code is executed once after change of state
    digitalWrite(13,switch_state[i]);
    if (switch_state[i]) Joystick.pressButton(i); else Joystick.releaseButton(i);
    if (i==10) analog_value[4] = ENC_ZERO;
    switch_state_old[i] = switch_state[i]; // store new state such that the above gets done only once
    }
    } //END read the switches

    for (byte i=0; i<MAX_ANALOG; i++) { // read analog inputs
    analog_value[i] = analogRead(analog_pin[i]);
    if (analog_value[i] < 256) analog_value[i] = analog_value[i] * 1.5;
    else if (analog_value[i] < 768) analog_value[i] = 256 + analog_value[i] / 2;
    else analog_value[i] = 640 + (analog_value[i] – 768) * 1.5;
    switch(i) {
    case 0:
    Joystick.setXAxis(511 – analog_value[0]);
    break;
    case 1:
    Joystick.setYAxis(511 – analog_value[1]);
    break;
    case 2:
    Joystick.setZAxis(511 – analog_value[2]);
    break;
    case 3:
    Joystick.setThrottle(analog_value[3]);
    break;
    }
    }
    Joystick.setRudder(analog_value[4]);
    // use 2 switches simultaneously to quickly calibrate the rotary encoder
    Joystick.sendState();
    delay(10);
    } // END LOOP

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    Posted by Claudio | May 10, 2020, 18:15
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    • 

      I have no time at the moment to check. Why not just try it?

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      Posted by RudyB | May 11, 2020, 14:49
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      • 

        programming do not understand anything
        I don’t want to make mistakes

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        Posted by Claudio | May 11, 2020, 16:02
      • 

        Just try it, nothing can get broken, worst case it just does not work. Else just try the original code first, that should work, it does here with me.

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        Posted by RudyB | May 11, 2020, 16:14
12. 

    A very interesting and useful project. I am wanting to make a simple throttle only for a space sim (Elite Dangerous) using a 10 slider pot. I have your sketch working on a Leonardo but a couple of questions. As I am using only 1 analogue input and possibly 1 digital input can I still use the sketch as is and just ignore the random noise on the other inputs or do I need to edit the sketch for only the inputs I am using.

    I am hoping to use a Pro Micro Arduino in the finished project as the Leonardo is too big for this purpose, it’s on a breadboard at the moment. I believe the Pro Micro is Leonardo based so can you envisage any probelms.

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    Posted by Rob | October 29, 2019, 12:42
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    • 

      The pro micro is USB HID compatible, so yes, that should work. Have a look at the documentation here how to configure analog axis:
      https://github.com/MHeironimus/ArduinoJoystickLibrary

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      Posted by RudyB | October 31, 2019, 09:34
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