Howto:Use Arduino with FlightGear: Difference between revisions

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Thanks to [[FlightGear]]'s [[generic protocol]], hardware can easily interface with FlightGear.  This hardware can be used to improve the immersion and/or realism of the simulation.  Arduino is no exception.
Thanks to FlightGear's [[generic protocol]], [[:Category:Hardware|hardware]] can easily interface with [[FlightGear]].  This hardware can be used to improve the immersion and/or realism of the simulation.  Arduino is no exception.


== About Arduino ==
== About Arduino ==
'''[http://www.arduino.cc/ Arduino]''' is an open-source electronics prototyping platform based on flexible, easy-to-use [[:Category:Hardware|hardware]] (consisting of a board designed around an 8-bit or a 32-bit microcontroller) and software [http://arduino.cc/en/main/software Arduino IDE]).
'''[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}}].


== Controlling Flightgear with Arduino ==
== Example 1: 2-axis joystic ==
This example demonstrates the use of a switch and a potentiometer to control the [[Property Tree]]
<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>
 
This example demonstrates the use of a switch and a potentiometer to control the [[Property Tree]].


=== Equipment and software ===
=== Equipment and software ===
This example uses the following components and software:
The following equipment was used for this example:
* [[Changelog_3.2|FlightGear 3.2]] or higher
* [[Changelog_3.2|FlightGear 3.2]]
* [[FlightGear Launch Control]] (or FGRun)  
* [[FGRun]]
* Arduino UNO
* [[Cessna 172P|Cessna 172P Skyhawk]] (default aircraft)  
* Linux (Ubuntu 14.04)
* [http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardUno Arduino Uno]
* On/off switch
* Linux ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ubuntu_releases#Ubuntu_10.04_LTS_.28Lucid_Lynx.29 Ubuntu 14.04])
* Simple on/off switch
* Potentiometer
* Potentiometer
* [[Cessna 172P|Cessna 172P Skyhawk]] (default aircraft)


=== Input protocol file ===
=== Input protocol file ===
Input protocol file is used to specify how serial information is read by Flightgear. In Ubuntu protocol files are found in:
Input protocol file is used to specify how serial information is read by Flightgear. In Ubuntu protocol files are found in:
<tt>''/usr/share/games/flightgear/protocol''</tt> directory.
<code>''/usr/share/games/flightgear/protocol''</code> directory.


==== Protocol file structure ====
==== Protocol file structure ====
Create <tt>''controltest.xml''</tt> file in your protocol folder and paste code from below to it.
Create <code>''controltest.xml''</code> file in your protocol folder and paste code from below to it.
<syntaxhighlight land="xml">
<syntaxhighlight land="xml">
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
Line 52: Line 134:
See [[Generic protocol]] for a description of the various XML tags.
See [[Generic protocol]] for a description of the various XML tags.


===Wiring and coding Arduino===
=== Wiring and coding ===


====Wiring====
==== Wiring ====
Potentiometer is connected to Arduinos ground and +5 volts. Potentiometers middle connector is connected to A0 analoq input. Switch is connected to ground with 10 kOhms pull-down resistor and +5 and digital pin 7.
A potentiometer is connected to Arduinos ground and +5 volts. The potentiometer's middle connector is connected to A0 analoq input. Switch is connected to ground with 10 kOhms pull-down resistor and +5 and digital pin 7.  The diagram below illustrates the setup.
[[File:Arduino switch and potentiometer wiring.png|frame|none|Wiring schematic for connecting potentiometer and switch to Arduino]]
[[File:Arduino switch and potentiometer wiring.png|frame|none|Wiring schematic for connecting the potentiometer and switch to Arduino]]


====Code====
==== Code ====
Copy this code to Arduino IDE and send it to Arduino Uno:
Copy this C code to Arduino IDE and send it to the Arduino Uno:
<syntaxhighlight lang="c">
<syntaxhighlight lang="c">
     /*
     /*
Line 125: Line 207:
</syntaxhighlight>
</syntaxhighlight>


====Test serial output====
==== Testing serial output ====
Use Arduino IDE's serial monitor and you should see something like this:
[[File:Flightgear arduino serial monitor.png|frame|none|Arduino IDE's serial monitor output]]
 
The first number is switch data, so it's either 0 (switch off) or 1 (switch on). After the "," mark is our throttle data. First it's 0.00, which meaning idle throttle and then potentiometer is gradually turned until it reaches 0.99.
 
{{Note|Remember to '''unplug Arduino's USB cable and plug it back'''.
 
FlightGear will not be able to read serial without doing this!
 
You have to do this every time after you use the Arduino IDE.}}


Use Arduino IDEs serial monitor and you should see something like this:
{{Note|The above note may not be relevant to newer versions of the Arduino IDE software.}}
[[File:Flightgear arduino serial monitor.png|frame|none|Arduino IDEs serial monitor output]]


First number is switch data, so it's either 0 (switch off) or 1 (switch on). After "," mark is our throttle data. First it's 0.00 meaning idle throttle and then potentiometer is gradually turned until it reaches 0.99.
==== Starting FlightGear ====


{{Warning|Remember to '''unplug Arduino's USB cable and plug it back''' in because Flightgear won't be able to read serial without doing this! You have to do this every time after you use Arduino IDE.}}
===== Method 1: Command line =====
FlightGear needs to be started with a correct command line option for it to be able to read serial connection. This example uses following option:
<syntaxhighlight>
--generic=serial,in,30,/dev/ttyACM0,9600,controltest
</syntaxhighlight>


====Start Flightgear====
===== Method 2: FGRun =====
Alternatively, you can use FlightGear's graphical user interface (FGRun) to launch FlightGear. See the image below for the correct settings.
[[File:Starting Flightgear with input options enabled.jpg|thumb|none|Starting Flightgear with FGRun, selecting input/output options]]


Flightgear needs to be started with a correct command line option for it to be able to read serial connection. This example uses following option:
If you don't know your correct port is , you can check it with a following command in terminal:
<syntaxhighlight>
dmesg | tail
</syntaxhighlight>
It should give you a message something like <code>ttyACM0: USB ACM device</code> or <code>ttyACM1: USB ACM device</code>.  


--generic=serial,in,30,/dev/ttyACM0,controltest
{{Note|This command gives you the last event in the stack,


If you like, you can use graphical user interface, Flightgear Launch Control (aka FGRun), to launch Flightgear. Select correct settings from Advanced Option tab. [[File:Starting Flightgear with input options enabled.jpg|thumb|none|Starting Flightgear with FGLaunch Control, selecting input/output options]]
so you need to make sure you plug in or unplug your Arduino to the serial port


If you don't now your correct port, you can check it with a following command in terminal: dmesg | tail. It should give you a message something like: "ttyACM0: USB ACM device" or "ttyACM1: USB ACM device". That's your port. Finally save setting by clicking 'OK' and click 'Run' to start flightgear. For more detailed guide, see [https://sites.google.com/site/flightgeararduinoandlinux/home Flightgear, Arduino and Linux]
immediately prior to running the command.}}


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]
{{Note|In some installations you need set permission for $user
to the groups tty and dialout or the Arduino will fail to
establish a connection to FlightGear.}}
== Example 3: Outputting properties ==
<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.]]
== Display/Generic protocol Example by rubdos ==
This example uses the example using the [[Generic protocol]] and an [http://arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardMega2560 Arduino Mega 2560].
Below is the protocol XML file used to control the Arduino.
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
<?xml version="1.0"?>
 
<PropertyList>
 
<generic>
    <output>
        <binary_mode>false</binary_mode>
        <line_separator>newline</line_separator>
        <var_separator>newline</var_separator>
        <preamble></preamble>
        <postamble></postamble>
 
        <chunk>
            <name>Altitude</name>
            <node>/position/altitude-ft</node>
            <type>integer</type>
            <format>altitude=%i</format>
        </chunk>
 
        <chunk>
            <name>RPM</name>
            <node>/engines/engine/rpm</node>
            <type>integer</type>
            <format>rpm=%i</format>
        </chunk>
 
    </output>
 
    <!-- <input>
        <line_separator>newline</line_separator>
        <var_separator>tab</var_separator>
        <chunk>
        </chunk>
    </input> -->


Rubdos (Ruben De Smet) has built an example using the [[Generic Protocol]] and an Arduino Mega 2560.
</generic>
The code used to control the Arduino with generic protocol was:
 
<syntaxhighlight lang="xml">
</PropertyList>
  <?xml version="1.0"?>
</syntaxhighlight>
<PropertyList>
 
     <generic>
Below is the C code used for the example, taken from https://gist.github.com/rubdos/5422870.
        <output>
<syntaxhighlight lang="c">
            <binary_mode>false</binary_mode>
//PIN 0 -> 7 has positive segment part
            <line_separator>newline</line_separator>
 
            <var_separator>newline</var_separator>
// the setup routine runs once when you press reset:
            <preamble></preamble>
void setup() {               
            <postamble></postamble>
  // initialize the digital pin as an output.
            <chunk>
  pinMode(2, OUTPUT);
                <name>Altitude</name>
  pinMode(3, OUTPUT);
                <node>/position/altitude-ft</node>
  pinMode(4, OUTPUT);   
                <type>integer</type>
  pinMode(5, OUTPUT);   
                <format>altitude=%i</format>
  pinMode(6, OUTPUT);   
            </chunk>
  pinMode(7, OUTPUT);
            <chunk>
  pinMode(8, OUTPUT);     
                <name>RPM</name>
  pinMode(9, OUTPUT);   
                <node>/engines/engine/rpm</node>
 
                <type>integer</type>
  pinMode(49, OUTPUT);  
                <format>rpm=%i</format>
  pinMode(50, OUTPUT);
            </chunk>
  pinMode(51, OUTPUT);
         </output>
  pinMode(52, OUTPUT);
<!--        <input>
  pinMode(53, OUTPUT);
            <line_separator>newline</line_separator>
 
            <var_separator>tab</var_separator>
  Serial.begin(9600);
            <chunk>
}
            </chunk>
 
        </input>
void writeNumber(int nr)
         -->
{
     </generic>
  if(nr == 0)
  </PropertyList>
  {
    digitalWrite(2, LOW); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); // t
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, HIGH); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 1)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, LOW); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, LOW); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, LOW); // t
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, LOW); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, LOW); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 2)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, LOW); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); // t
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, HIGH); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH); // b
    digitalWrite(8, LOW); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 3)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, LOW); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); // t
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, LOW); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 4)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, LOW); // t
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, LOW); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, LOW); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 5)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); // t
    digitalWrite(5, LOW); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, LOW); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 6)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); // t
    digitalWrite(5, LOW); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, HIGH); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 7)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, LOW); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, LOW); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); // t
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // rt
     digitalWrite(6, LOW); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, LOW); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 8)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); // t
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, HIGH); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else if(nr == 9)
  {
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH); // t
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, LOW); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH); // b
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
  else
  {
    digitalWrite(2, LOW); // midden
    digitalWrite(3, LOW); // lt
    digitalWrite(4, LOW); // t
    digitalWrite(5, LOW); // rt
    digitalWrite(6, LOW); // lb
    digitalWrite(7, LOW); // b
    digitalWrite(8, LOW); // rb
    digitalWrite(9, LOW); // dot
  }
}
 
// the loop routine runs over and over again forever
long number = 0;
int decimals[5] = {0, 0, 0, 0, 0};
 
void loop() {
  for(int i = 49; i < 54; i++)
  {
    // Disable the incorrect segment displays
    if(i == 49)
    {
      digitalWrite(53, HIGH);
    }
    else
    {
      digitalWrite(i - 1, HIGH);
    }
    digitalWrite(i, LOW);
   
    // Enable the segments
    writeNumber(decimals[4 - (i - 49)]);
    delay(1);
  }
  if(Serial.available() > 14) // Wait until there are two bytes available. Then read them out.
  {
    String command;
    String var;
    char lastchar;
 
    while(lastchar != '=')
    {
      lastchar = Serial.read();
      if(lastchar != '=')
      {
         command += lastchar;
      }
    }
    while(lastchar != '\n')
    {
      lastchar = Serial.read();
      if(lastchar != '\n')
      {
        var += lastchar;
      }
    }
   
    if(command == "altitude" )
    {
      char buf[50];
      var.toCharArray(buf, 50);
      number = atol(buf);
    }
   
    /*if(number == 10000)
    {
      number = 0;
    }*/
   
    long currentnumber = number;
   
    int remainder = currentnumber % 10;
    currentnumber =  (currentnumber - remainder) / 10;
    decimals[4] = remainder;
   
    remainder = currentnumber % 10;
    currentnumber =  (currentnumber - remainder) / 10;
    decimals[3] = remainder;
          
    remainder = currentnumber % 10;
    currentnumber =  (currentnumber - remainder) / 10;
    decimals[2] = remainder;
           
    remainder = currentnumber % 10;
    currentnumber =  (currentnumber - remainder) / 10;
    decimals[1] = remainder;
           
     remainder = currentnumber % 10;
    currentnumber = (currentnumber - remainder) / 10;
    decimals[0] = remainder;
  }
}
</syntaxhighlight>
</syntaxhighlight>
It is a simple plaintext protocol, which can easily be parsed by an Arduino. The code used on the Arduino is available on github as a gist: [https://gist.github.com/rubdos/5422870]


As hardware, five seven segment displays were used, multiplexed straight on the Arduino device. In production, you'd rather use some 74HC595 or other shift register chips to drive them, to unload the Arduino and have more current.
The hardware used was five seven-segment displays, multiplexed straight on the Arduino device. Ideally, you'd rather use some 74HC595 or other shift register chips to drive them, to unload the Arduino and have more current.
A demo is uploaded to youtube, with voiceover in which the display shows the RPM of the first engine of (the single engine) [[DR400]]: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVtV9-CgqBo]
 
Below is a demo uploaded to YouTube, with voiceover in which the display shows the RPM of [[Robin DR400]]'s single engine.
{{#ev:youtube|lVtV9-CgqBo}}


== Related content ==
== Related content ==
Line 191: Line 540:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://arduino.cc/ Official website]
* [http://arduino.cc/ Official Arduino website]
* [http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/FlightGear FlightGear Serial Communications with Arduino] (tutorial)
* [http://playground.arduino.cc/Main/FlightGear FlightGear Serial Communications with Arduino] (tutorial)
* [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11126 Arduino LCD and FlightGear] (FlightGear forum)
* [http://forum.flightgear.org/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=11126 Arduino LCD and FlightGear] (FlightGear forum)
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