Well, no actual steam will be involved — just a PC or two, Flight Simulator, and several PIC microcontrollers. the idea is to create actual realistic-looking (working) instruments for use with FS. Having found CHComm3a, which claims to be able to output data from FSUIPC to an RS232 port, it seemed like a good idea to try to do something useful with this data.
My plan is to go for something like a Cessna 182RG setup eventually — mostly, by building the “easier” components first. Clockwork components like the altimeter may have to wait until I can find a suitable (read: nonfunctional but in nice condition; I don’t want to ruin a perfectly good instrument) part on eBay.
I just picked up a copy of “Programming 16-Bit Microcontrollers In C,” which seems to have some good tricks for migrating from the 8-bit parts I’m familiar with to the PIC24 family.
Here’s the To-Do list so far:
- Verify RS232 output from FS9 / FSX
- Verify PIC can actually parse said output
- If no, co-opt a QBasic box to do it??
- Integrate Assembly and C routines
- Decide on best calibration scheme
- Build “easy” devices:
- ADF gauge (stepper motor w/gear drive?)
- Variometer
- Fuel gauges
- Decide how to make altimeter movement
- Work on Ethernet connectivity for PICs
- One local IP address per instrument/control
- Instruments talk to control PC, which interfaces w/FSUIPC?
