BG Systems FlyBox Manuale utente

FLYBOX®

HARDWARE MANUAL

FlyBox Hardware Manual 3

Contents

CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW ....................................... 5

1.1 WHAT’SNEW ................................................................................................................... 5

1.2 CONVENTIONS USED INTHIS MANUAL ..................................................................................... 6

CHAPTER 2 INSTALLATION ................................... 7

2.1 CONNECTING TOPOWER ..................................................................................................... 7

2.2 CONNECTING TOTHE HOST WORKSTATION ............................................................................... 9

2.3 ADDING ADDITIONAL INPUTS.................................................................................................. 9

CHAPTER 3 HARDWARE..................................... 11

3.1 THE JOYSTICK ................................................................................................................ 11

3.2 LEVERS ........................................................................................................................ 12

3.3 SWITCHES ..................................................................................................................... 12

CHAPTER 4 SOFTWARE .................................... 13

4.1 SOME BASICS ................................................................................................................. 13

4.1.1 Connecting the FlyBox............................................................................................ 13

4.1.2 Theory of Operation............................................................................................... 13

4.2 TUTORIAL FLYBOX_TEST.C.................................................................................................. 14

4.2.1 Setup...................................................................................................................... 14

4.2.2 Opening and Initializing ......................................................................................... 15

4.2.3 The Interval Timer.................................................................................................. 16

4.2.4 Cycling ................................................................................................................... 16

4.3 SOFTWARE MAPPING.......................................................................................................... 17

4.3.1 Optional Digital Inputs ........................................................................................... 17

4.3.2 Testing the Digital Inputs........................................................................................ 17

CHAPTER 5 TROUBLESHOOTING ........................... 19

5.1 THE FLYBOX ISNOT RESPONDING ....................................................................................... 19

5.1.1 Serial Cable............................................................................................................ 19

5.1.2 No Power ............................................................................................................... 20

5.1.3 Joystick Problems .................................................................................................. 20

5.1.4 Interference ........................................................................................................... 20

CHAPTER 6 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ............... 21

FlyBox Hardware Manual 5

CHAPTER 1 OVERVIEW

The FlyBox® is an input device for your computer.

It consists of a three axis joy stick (the third axis is

twist), two levers, and several discrete switches. It

provides inputs to the workstation through an RS-232

serial line, and can be used instead of the mouse or a

dial and button box to move through a terrain

database.

It provides a superior feel for dynamic applications. It

can be used for flight or driving simulation, database

construction, etc. The FlyBox is packaged in an

aluminium case, and has a simple DB-9 or MiniDIN-8

cable connection to the computer.

It provides the following advantages over systems that

use an A/D board:

• You don’t have to rebuild the UNIX kernel to

include a special driver.

• You don’t have to open the computer to

install an Analog to Digital board since the A/D

conversion is handled internally by the box.

• The software interface is extremely simple,

using standard, portable open, and read calls.

• The FlyBox can update as fast as 50Hz, which

is generally faster than inputs can be

generated.

This manual contains instructions for installation of

the FlyBox, some highlights of the software used to

communicate with the FlyBox, and some troubleshoot-

ing hints. This manual should be read in conjunction

with the LV824 Software Manual, which contains

specific details about the software that is used on the

host to communicate with the LV824 circuit board

inside the FlyBox.

The software section of this manual is written in

tutorial style, stepping through some example software.

If you have problems, please consult Chapter 5 of this

manual - Troubleshooting. Most problems in getting

started are related to the workstation configuration.

1.1 WHAT’SNEW

The old FlyBox Owner’s Guide has been split into

this FlyBox Hardware Manual and the companion

LV824 Software Manual. This allows us to update

the software on the LV824 without having to revise all

the hardware manuals for the products that use the

LV824. Reference is made in this manual to software

features that are specific to the FlyBox, but the Software

Manual is intended to be the primary reference.

The FlyBox now uses the JFx joystick which allows a

number of optional switch configurations. These are

discussed in section 3.1.

The page numbers in this manual have been modified

so that links in the “on-line” version are accurate.

(This just means that page 1 is the front cover, and

roman numerals are no longer used for the table of

contents). Documentation can be down-loaded from

the BG Systems web site at any time.

1.2 CONVENTIONS USED IN

THIS MANUAL

Various typefaces are used in this manual to refer to the

name of something on the computer, to highlight an

important piece of information, etc.

Italics are used in the body of the text to indicate

computer terminology - typically a function or file

name:

open_lv()

A monospace font is used whenever a code fragment is

presented:

tios.c_flag = CS8 | CREAD | CLOCAL;

A monospace font preceded by a % is used for Unix shell

commands:

% cd FlyBox/

When the font is preceded by a #, it means that system

administrator (or root) privileges are required for the

operation

# chmod a+rw /dev/ttyd2

Things that are really important are set apart with a

“hand” pointing to them, and an italic font is used:

FWARNING.

Things that are should be noted, but are not dangerous

if ignored, are set apart with the spectacles:

$NOTE.

FlyBox Hardware Manual 7

CHAPTER 2

INSTALLATION

The first step is to verify that you received all the

necessary parts. As you unpack the box make sure

that everything on the packing list is supplied. If

anything is missing contact BG Systems immediately.

The FlyBox is quite solidly constructed, but you should

ALWAYS carry it by the handles — NEVER pick the

FlyBox up by the joystick, this can cause damage to the

stick, and puts stress on the case.

2.1 CONNECTING TOPOWER

The power switch is located on the right hand side as

you look at the back of the case. The FlyBox is set for

110v when shipped within the U. S. A.. International

shipments are usually set to 220v. Before connecting

the power cord, make sure that the voltage is correctly

set.

If the voltage selector is incorrectly set, or you are

taking your FlyBox to a trade show where the power

requirements are different, the procedure for changing

the input voltage is as follows:

1 Remove the fuse drawer (see figure 1), by

using a screwdriver to push at the drawer

release (see figure 2).

Figure 1 Power Connector

On / Off Switch Fuser Drawer

Voltage Indicator

Screwdriver Notch in fuse drawer

Figure 2 Removal of fuse drawer

2 Slide out the voltage selector, the T shaped

board, as shown in figure 3.

3 Turn it through 180°and slide it back in the

channel so that the desired voltage can be

seen through the window.

4 Making sure that the white triangle on the

fuse drawer is aligned with the triangle on

power connector, push the fuse drawer back

into place.

If power is correctly connected, the red LED on the front

of the FlyBox will light up. Also, at the back of the

FlyBox next to the serial connector there are two LEDs.

The green LED comes on with power to the LV824 inside

the FlyBox, and the yellow LED shows status for the

LV824. On power up the yellow LED will blink once.

$If the red LED on the front of the FlyBox

does not come on, it is possible that the fuses

have been blown. Remove the fuse holder as

described above and inspect the fuses. If they

have “blown” there are 2 spare fuses in the

fuse drawer as shown in figure 4. Just push

out the two rectangular boxes underneath the

fuses.

FThe power cord that comes with the

FlyBox has a THREE pin connector. DO NOT

CUT OFF THE THIRD PIN. This provides

ground for the system. If you do not have a

grounded circuit, contact an electrician.

Damage to the FlyBox and the workstation

can result from an ungrounded system.

FIf the FlyBox is being used in a foreign

country where the voltage is 220v, it is not

uncommon for users to forget to switch the

voltage until AFTER they have blown the fuse.

Please use the spare 500mAmp SloBlo fuse

(figure 4) rather than putting in a 2 amp

fuse. Damage to the power supply will result

if connected to 220v while set to 110v.

FIf the FlyBox is set to 220v and con-

nected to 110v, it may appear to work for a

while, but when you push one of the illumi-

nated switches it stops communicating. This

is because the voltage to the LV824 drops

below 5 vDC. Changing the voltage selector

back to 110v will fix this problem.

Rotate this through 180

and slide back in

Figure 3 Detail of voltage selector

Figure 4 Location of spare fuse

FlyBox Hardware Manual 9

2.2 CONNECTING TOTHE

HOST WORKSTATION

The FlyBox should be set up at a convenient location

near the monitor of the computer. Make sure that the

power switch on the back of the FlyBox is in the off

position, and connect the power cable. Then connect

the RS-232 cable to the FlyBox serial output port (see

figure 5) and the host computer. You can connect the

FlyBox to any available “port” on the back of the host

computer. Note that the female end of the cable

connects to the FlyBox and the male end of the cable

connects to the host. The pins on the DB-9 are: pin 2 -

RX, pin 3 -Tx and pins 5 and 7 - Ground. Pinouts for

the various different serial cables are shown in section

4.1.1.

2.3 ADDING ADDITIONAL

INPUTS

The A/D board inside the FlyBox can handle up to 8

analog and 24 discrete inputs. The standard configura-

tion of the box uses 5 analog and 9 discrete inputs.

Consequently we have provided 4 extra DB-9 ports on

the back of the FlyBox, see figure 5.

Additional discrete inputs can be connected to the port

labelled Discrete Inputs 17-24. A female DB-9

connector should be used, and the pins should be wired

as follows:

Pin Channel

117

218

319

420

521

622

723

824

9 ground

Note that the voltages must be 0v in the off state, and

+5v in the on state. If you have a FlyBox that uses

more than 16 discrete inputs (i.e. with two coolie hat

switches), this input DB-9 will not be connected to the

LV824.

Additional analog inputs can be connected to the DB-9’s

labelled Analog Input 6, 7, and 8. These use a male

DB-9 connector, with pin 1 connected to the input

voltage, and pin 9 connected to ground. The voltage

range must be between 0-5v. Pin 8 provides 5v output

which can be used to power the device that you are

connecting to the FlyBox. Note, however that you

should not try to draw more than 200 mAmps from the

FlyBox.

Reset button

Status LED Power LED

Figure 5 Back panel detail

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