FMC Connection

[phil744]

Hello:p

Ok in the next few weeks I am going to embark on a huge task, and thats to design the PCB for the FMC.

I will be using PM for my setup and currently going through the manual and a few other web sites to gain as much knowlage as I can, As far as my understanding is that PM's FMC will just accept standard keyboard inputs on either PS2 or USB?

What I dont understand is how do you get the outputs for the annunciator lights (FMC, DISP, MSG and OFST)

I am using FDT interface cards, do you have to connect those annunciator's direct to the interface card or is there a better way?

And with the key commands, are they hard coded into PM or can they be configured?

As for the keyboard interface I like the sound of the Hangstrom KEIC-USB Keyboard encoder http://www.hagstromelectronics.com/catalog/KEICUSBCatalogPages.pdf

Has any one here tried using these before with any luck.

Keep in mind I need 5 FMC's for my two bad boys:twisted:

Sorry if it sounds a little "thick" but i have only just started with this.

Cheers:D

[mpl330]

Phil,
Sorry I can't help but I'd just like to say that I'm totally impressed that you are still going for the 2 big Boeings & 5 FMC's:razz:

Looks like your place will be on the visiting rota!
Cheers
Mike

[steveeverson]

Does that mean there is now some yorkshire/lancashire rivalry going on?
should hopefully gee us all up to get on with things....!
steve

ps any news on the concorde trip / dates etc mike?:p

[QF6228]

Have you seen Marius PCB? for boeing type.

http://www.stormloader.com/users/marius/cdu.htm

Cheers Damien

[phil744]

Cheers,

Yes I have and thought about it a few times, but it wont fit my application. I will be using 100% surface mount and the pads are the wrong footprint and there are no fiducial marks to reference from so i cant run it on my machine.

[Trevor Hale]

Hello:p

Ok in the next few weeks I am going to embark on a huge task, and thats to design the PCB for the FMC.

I will be using PM for my setup and currently going through the manual and a few other web sites to gain as much knowlage as I can, As far as my understanding is that PM's FMC will just accept standard keyboard inputs on either PS2 or USB?

This is 100% correct, the keystrokes are defined, but basically operate as a standard USB/PS2 Keyboard. In essence, you could connect each key to a hacked keyboard and you would be set. Make sure you use apposed facing diodes on the key combinations that share the CTRL Key.





What I dont understand is how do you get the outputs for the annunciator lights (FMC, DISP, MSG and OFST)



Use a couple LED's for each and connect them to your output card. these led's would be controlled by offsets. The only one I have working is the EXEC light and MSG lights.




I am using FDT interface cards, do you have to connect those annunciator's direct to the interface card or is there a better way?



I would use a phidgets LED64 is your run PMSYSTems, very easy to program




And with the key commands, are they hard coded into PM or can they be configured?



Hard coded in PM, you cannot change them, but why would you want to. Works really slick as it is. :)




As for the keyboard interface I like the sound of the Hangstrom KEIC-USB Keyboard encoder http://www.hagstromelectronics.com/catalog/KEICUSBCatalogPages.pdf

Has any one here tried using these before with any luck.



I use a KE72 for my FMC and I Love it. Works 100% I woud recommend one of the new Hagstrum cards over the Hacked keyboard. Worth every penny.




Keep in mind I need 5 FMC's for my two bad boys:twisted:



OMG Your nutts LMAO

Trev

[JBaymore]

I second Trevor's thoughts on both the Phidgets LED64 and the Hagstrom KE72 hardware.

Been using various Phidgets (and the freeware FS2Phidget) and two Hagstrom cards for quite a while.... all are great.

The Hagstrom cards are VERY stable pieces of equipment. Easy to set up, VERY flexible, and once set up nary a glitch.....EVER.

best,

.................john

[Bob Reed]

He Trevor.. You are not using the KE72.... I think it is the LP24 lots less money and works great for the CDU. This card is also available in a USB version now.

[Trevor Hale]

LOL Your right Bob.. Sorry hadn't had my coffee yet. But yes, a great piece of Kit.

[phil744]

Hi Trevor,

Cheers for that, it gives me more confidence, the problem I have is that I cant write code or do any form of programming at all because i'm useless:mad:

Thus the reason im going the sim board route(FDT), plug and play, perfect for an idiot like me! personally i would rather use the opencockpits stuff, i have bought all the things i need, but for the life of me cant get a single thing to work from opencockpits, and its not because their faulty, it's me who is faulty;)

Ok cool, i will get hold of the keyboard listing from PM then map out the CDU to fit.

Cheers for your help:D