Simulation Technology

Hardware

Hardware and Software Development for Flight Simulation

There is extensive experience in the development of hardware for the Windows flight simulators FSX, Prepar3D and X-Plane. A USB controller is used as the central control component, to which input and output elements are connected and which handles the communication with the PC. Events from buttons, switches and encoders can be processed, outputs are possible via LED and 7-segment displays.

Frequency modules have been developed with Arduino modules. Arduino Pro Mini, LCD panel and Ethernet controller are connected to a central circuit board. The Arduino processes the pushbutton and encoder events, sends them via Ethernet to the communication interface of the FS. The states of the FS are displayed on the Arduino.

Furthermore, with a special software it is possible to use a flat screen to display high resolution instruments.

For FSX and Prepar3D, the SimConnect communication interface is used for data exchange; in X-Plane, plug-ins perform this function. In my Sim&IT-Wiki there is information about advanced hardware and communication interfaces.