Howto:Use Arduino with FlightGear: Difference between revisions

Added simple 2-axis tutorial by Scott.
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(Added simple 2-axis tutorial by Scott.)
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'''[http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino]''' is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software.  The hardware is a microcontroller designed around an 8-bit or 32-bit microcontroller, with several digital and analog {{Abbr|I/O|Input/Output}} ports.  The software is the [http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software Arduino {{Abbr|IDE|Integrated Development Environment}}].
'''[http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino]''' is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use hardware and software.  The hardware is a microcontroller designed around an 8-bit or 32-bit microcontroller, with several digital and analog {{Abbr|I/O|Input/Output}} ports.  The software is the [http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Software Arduino {{Abbr|IDE|Integrated Development Environment}}].


== Example 1: Controlling internal properties ==
== Example 1: 2-axis joystic ==
<big>By ScottBouch</big>
 
This example demonstrates use of two potentiometers (2-axis joystic) with a simple calibration in arduino code. Example is done with Linux Mint. To see more detailed version of this quide go to [http://www.scottbouch.com/flightgear-sim-arduino-serial-hardware-2-axis-potentiometer-joystick.html 2-Axis Potentiometer Joystick:Integration With Flightgear Flight Sim].
 
=== Wiring ===
Connect 5V to other terminal of potentiometers and 0V to other terminal. Connect potentiometers wiper terminals to Arduino boards A0 and A1.
 
=== Arduino code ===
<syntaxhighlight lang="c">
/*
Flightgear hardware integration 01: Stick X and Y only so far.
 
Scott Bouchard UK www.scottbouch.com 14-06-2017
*/
 
const int stickxio = A0; //Define stick aileron (x) input
const int stickyio = A1; //Define stick elevator (y) input
 
float stickx = 0;        //Start aileron (x) central
float sticky = 0;        //Start elevator (y) central
 
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);    //Open up serial communication to PC
}
 
void loop() {
  stickx  = (analogRead(stickxio)/512.0)-0.99; //Calibration span and offset
  sticky = (analogRead(stickyio)/512.0)-0.99; //Calibration span and offset
 
  Serial.print(stickx);  //Send aileron position
  Serial.print(",");    //Variable (var) separator
  Serial.print(sticky);  //Send elevator position
  Serial.print("\n");    //Line separator
}
</syntaxhighlight>
 
=== Calibration ===
Use Arduino serial monitor to see that serial data acquired from Arduino board is between -1.00...1.00 when potentiometers are rotated. Potentiometers middle position should send 0.00. If potentiometers are not giving good readings, modify Arduino code "Calibration span and offset" row to fix it.
 
=== Flightgear protocol code ===
Create a file called hardware.xml to /usr/share/games/flightgear/Protocol directory and paste following lines to it:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
<?xml version="1.0"?>
 
<PropertyList>
 
<generic>
 
<input>
<line_separator>\n</line_separator>
<var_separator>,</var_separator>
 
<chunk>
<name>aileron</name>
<type>float</type>
<node>/controls/flight/aileron</node>
</chunk>
 
<chunk>
<name>elevator</name>
<type>float</type>
<node>/controls/flight/elevator</node>
</chunk>
 
</input>
 
</generic>
 
</PropertyList>
</syntaxhighlight>
 
=== Make Flightgear to read serial data ===
Find port where Arduino is connected. Look from Arduino IDE Tools... Serial Port... Should be something like ttyACM. (Note: Scott Bouch tutorial uses FGRUN which is not used anymore) Start Flightgear and paste following code to Settings... Additional settings... when starting Flightgear. Change serial port to correct port name.
 
<syntaxhighlight>
--generic=serial,in,30,/dev/ttyACM0,9600,hardware.xml
</syntaxhighlight>
 
== Example 2: Controlling internal properties ==
<big>By {{usr|Vaipe}}</big>
<big>By {{usr|Vaipe}}</big>


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It should give you a message something like <code>ttyACM0: USB ACM device</code> or <code>ttyACM1: USB ACM device</code>. That is your port. Finally, save setting by clicking "OK" and click "Run" to start FlightGear. For a more detailed guide, see [https://sites.google.com/site/flightgeararduinoandlinux/home Flightgear, Arduino and Linux]
It should give you a message something like <code>ttyACM0: USB ACM device</code> or <code>ttyACM1: USB ACM device</code>. That is your port. Finally, save setting by clicking "OK" and click "Run" to start FlightGear. For a more detailed guide, see [https://sites.google.com/site/flightgeararduinoandlinux/home Flightgear, Arduino and Linux]


== Example 2: Outputting properties ==
== Example 3: Outputting properties ==
<big>By {{usr|Rubdos}}</big>
<big>By {{usr|Rubdos}}</big>
[[File:Arduinofgfs.jpg|thumb|270px|Arduino LCD panel displaying speed, heading and altitude.]]
[[File:Arduinofgfs.jpg|thumb|270px|Arduino LCD panel displaying speed, heading and altitude.]]
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