Arduino 56 Button Joystick 737 Gear Control 

Glad to hear you liked it. I have a few Arduino units. And In fact have taken one a little further and built it out as 100 buttons :). With no encoder or Axis I was able to do 10 rows and 10 columns on the Arduino Leonardo. Just keep in mind the pro micro and the Leo are the ideal units as they have the native USB interface. The other models like the mega are not as easy as you need to go through a “serial” driver. Have fun with it!!

@@LesOReilly How did you get 100 buttons on the Leonardo? I modified your code to get 84 on the Leonardo using pins A0 - A5 as columns and D0 - D13 as rows. It works well, other than A3+D11 giving me the same result (button 21 on the Windows game controller setup) as A4+D10 (the actual button 21). A3+D11 should be button 31.

The LEO has additional pins that can be defined as analog. I put in the comments of the code In the Leo example which pins are the columns and which pins are the row.

Awesome!! they are fun to play with :)

Awesome!! Keep going....I really wish I could get my almost 11 year old into it more :(. He likes plugging in the wires and that stuff but not the code side.

@@LesOReilly How would you code an LED to light up when one of the buttons are pressed with the keypad and joystick library

@@LesOReilly By the way you can change the names of your devices if you change the board.txt of arduino IDE

You would probably need to then start looking at Shift Registers. Since you would want to expand the I/O so you could have pins adding to say use an I2C bus to drive LEDs off a shift register. That said you will then be giving up pins from the the Keypad and this fewer buttons.

@@LesOReilly I have a few extra pins open and only want to indicate 2 LEDs for master arm and gear indicator, So what i tried was adding an if statement(under case pressed to set LED pin to HIGH when i == 1 for instance but that didn't work) and defining LED as output

ugh.....okay....Will do better next time.

This video has links in it to code -- have a look at it and if you still don't get what you need let me know... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tUdNZUEyT1U.html That said I found that I preferred the Leo Bodnar Board for Axis. The 12 Bit Resolution was well worth the price of the board. I used one to modify my 2 saitek throttle quads.

@@LesOReillyO'Reilly what is the Arduino's resolution? I thought it is 16 bit according to this github.com/MHeironimus/ArduinoJoystickLibrary

Could be -- though I have found some issues with getting my preferred product (spad.next) to work with the Arduino Axis as for some reason it shows up as like -16K to positive 16K or something like that.

Sure...the analog pins are for that. But that means you will reduce your keypad ability.

Thanks for taking the time to drop a note about your success! Appreciate it.

There are other board options .. if you use an Arduino Leonardo there are more pins. Making at 10x10 - 100 buttons can be done with one of those.

@Gilgamesh Akkadian 6(analog)x14(digital), actually is made up by 82+2 keys, i use 2 keys to control the brightness of the CDU keypad backlight, this two keys is connected to another arduino board which controls the keypad backlight RGB led(ws2812)

yes, of course.but i use micro board to control ws2812, I use these pin to control 2812 strips.but you only need one pin to control 2812 matrix by adafruit libraries in theory.

Not sure...I have never worked with one. But considering I am using all available Analog pins to be part of the KeyPad you will be giving up rows and columns to use them for analog axis.

@@LesOReilly I found a sketch that works out for me, thanks for your response!

Breakout boards... Just search on amazon or what ever for "arduino pro micro breakout" www.amazon.ca/Aideepen-Terminal-Adapter-Expansion-ATMEGA328P-AU/dp/B0788MLRLK/ref=sr_1_37?keywords=arduino+micro+breakout&qid=1637102277&sr=8-37

Actually I use this with “switches” not just buttons. When the gear is “up” the button is held steady the whole time - it is not treated as a repeat even. Though that help also comes from SPAD.NEXT for the behavior. I can assign events for switch “on” and switch “off”.

Hi, That is a Mac App that I think I bought in the Mac App Store for like a buck or something. If you are on Windows they actually have a native configuration screen where you can see the buttons and axis as well....

Once it is built I just go into the Windows Control Panel and then do to devices and Printers. it shows up there and I can then click on it.

@@LesOReilly ok thanks - it looked like it was an add-on for the arduino s/ware.

@@alheeley Oh....I did some of that originally on my Mac not on my Sim PC which is Windows...I assumed you are on a windows machine. Since Mac does not have a "tool" like in Windows I had to download that from the Mac App Store to make sure that things were working.....

@@LesOReilly Ah ok that explains - I defected back off mac to windows so I could play more games ;)

Its prob the best and clearest talk-through of the button matrix sketch programming and practical mapping to a controller I have come across - many thanks for that :)

The Arduino Tutorials are on the website and do a good job of this. When it comes to Toggle Switches it depends on the Toggle Switch and how you want it to work.....Also depends on what your target requires....So example if your able to control Data or you have the ability to program ON and OFF events from a single button then you get more freedom..... So with most 2 position Toggle Switches you have 3 connectors because you connect the VCC or GND to the centre pin and there the other two pins will pass that connection through when the switch is in the UP or Down State....Also think of it from "Inside" the switch as the Pin that will be active is relative to where the switch is inside not the arm.....It If the arm is UP then it is the lower pin that will be the Closed and the UPPer Pin is open. If your software can work in the concept of having a "switch" function so that it will essentially do one thing with the switch Closed and then another even when Opened then it is easy since you only need to connect One of the pins to a button pin. That way it is either ON or OFF but you don't have to put in a separate "Pin" for the OFF as well..

@@LesOReilly Thank you so much for the answer, I hadn't considered doing that on the software side, which honestly I have no idea how that skipped my mind. Also thank you for the fast response, I will have a look on the arduino website for the tutorials you mentioned for the wiring of the switches. The thing I am working on is a small button box to simulate the switches in a Cesna, so that should maybe give a bit clearer of an idea of how the switches should look/work and what the purpose of the project is overall. Again thank you for the answer!

I use SPAD.Next for all of my flight sim switch and controller programing. That makes it much easier to deal with as it supports setting up buttons as switches.

The comments in the sketch explain the "keypad" mappings and which pins connect to which Rows / Columns. Essentially Analog pins are connecting to multiple Digital Inputs at a time and this creates the matrix.

You don't have the Joystick Library installed then ... It's in the show notes.. but here is a link to the one I use as well.. www.dropbox.com/home/Arduino%20Shares/Joystick

Thanks... Yes Quality = Time :)

Without using diodes in your hardware design you will need to try and space them to separate columns in a way that they don’t overlap too much with items you need to fire instantly together.

@@LesOReilly thanks

Yeah that looks about right ... I did not see this comment before now because it go held up for approval due to a URL link...

Could you use a Mega which has about 56 digital pins.

@@damianbutterworth2434 Not with the USB HID Joystick... The Micro and Leo use the native USB of the 32u4.... The Mega does not have the same ability.... There is the Hoodloader mod stuff out there, but out of the box it seems you need to stay with the Micro and or Leo..

I use SPAD.Next to configure all of my controllers and interfaces with the flight sim. It is where I can see all of the buttons show up and register.

@@LesOReilly Great... I'll give it a try. Thanks Les!

No idea. Try it out.

Nope.. I use the standard arduino compiler and uploaded. No issues.

@@LesOReilly i can't seem to get it to work. I've been messing with it all day but no success. Thank you anyway for responding so fast!

Make sure you have the correct board in the compiler and also make sure it really is a pro micro and not a pro nano… only pro micro and Leonardo have the 32u4 you need for joystick devices.

No idea here.....I use the Leonardo or the Pro Micro when doing joystick as it is the easiest way to implement a Native USB HID device.

No idea this is all based on arduino and the 32U4 part that enables being a hid joystick device.

You probably don't have the correct Joystick library installed..

Yes.. 9x9 = 81.

Yes they just show up like additional Joysticks :). I have 3 hooked up.

Just look up Button Box... Lots of examples... Use Diodes if you want to ensure that you don't have Ghost switches www.google.com/search?q=how+to+wire+button+box+Array+images&rlz=1C1CHBF_enCA925CA925&sxsrf=ALeKk02X0josqBWLCwiRZBRkv4F4o-P4fQ:1617298359979&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiqxvfxyd3vAhXbElkFHeavB18Q_AUoAXoECAIQAw&biw=1920&bih=947#imgrc=tkhRQkWSW1_4xM

Hi - which library files are you referring to?

@@LesOReilly Hello friend, sorry the libraries were installed by default. It was a failure of my IDE, now it is solved. To use it with a LEONARDO, the pinout (21,20,19,18) of the code would be the same? I made it work a month ago with my 3d printed H shifter, and I didn't keep a copy of the sketch. And now I would like to add more buttons through a button box. Thanks a lot

@@kueto27 Sorry for such a late reply....I did not seem to get a notification that you replied......Another person commented so that brought me back.. Here is a link to a 100 Button Box Sketch for a Leo Board :) www.dropbox.com/sh/rgu3x2uebziepyj/AABkbc58Aa5YdeBx2u_ojR7_a?dl=0

@@LesOReilly thanks a lot friend this is awsome!

@@kueto27 podrías ayudarme? Precisamente quiero usar dos switches igual que este video, pero en un sketch ya hecho, funciona con una palanca g29 y un arduino Leonardo

don't speak the language

Hola luis como conseguiste la libreria joystick en github la que estaba en dropbox ya no esta disponible

Cool!!!

what module , sensor did you use exactly

The links are In The description of the video.

The Sketch and the Joystick library are listed with links in the show notes

@@LesOReilly I don't have a problem with that, if not it's in the joystick library (of which the link you left is deleted, look for the folder online arduino joystick librari master but all are without the joystick file) and I get this message when loading the sketch 'joystick_' does not name a type; Did you mean 'joystick'? I've been looking for the solution for months but I can't find a way to get it to work. If you know something, could you please guide or inform me, thank you again.

@@jorgerivas6909 www.dropbox.com/sh/0xjh38wme7oalez/AACi4dcSGBt808DjITb0iKu7a?dl=0 Not sure why the link is dead but I just restarted it. Try that link.

@@LesOReilly Thank you very much, now everything is correct thanks to your help, it is greatly appreciated for all your time.

Keypad designs will need Diodes if you are looking to be able to Hold Multiple Switches / Buttons down at the same time

@@LesOReilly thanks, I just need to set up about 6 toggle switches, no buttons as such, just 6 toggle switches.. I’m a noob so not really sure what the pro micro can support

@@TallWestEddy oh then you don't even need to implement Keypad expansion .. you only need 6 Digital Pins.. 1 per switch. All Switches tie to Ground and you enable the Pins with the Pullup so that you just short to ground to trigger.

@@LesOReilly thank you!! I uploaded some joystick library following a video someone did, but it only allows me to wire two toggle switches as it shows pin mode 9-12…but the pro micro doesn’t have 11-12. I’m so lost. Maybe I need to learn to code to?! Managed to get two toggle switches working on the pro micro but guessing I’m using the wrong library to let me use the other pins?!

you have to write / modify the sketch files in the Arduino IDE to configure the pins/switches and then map those to the joystick library..

You will need to learn about using spad next and the spad protocol to control those kinds of things.

@@LesOReilly i know how to use spad next, but only to control the Saitek radios and controls, not to link with arduino pro micro, and I am trying to do a research on RU-vid, I can't find any tutorial explaining what you have just said. Any idea or links you know so that I can have a look at it?

I did a tutorial on how to use the spad protocol to make an autopilot panel with arduino.

@@LesOReilly great, i will have a look at you channel to find the video, should be ease if you could just post with the link of it.

(Sim Video) Arduino Based 3D Printed Autopilot P1 | MSFS 2020

Th comments of the linked code tell you which pins are the column and which pins are the row connections.

@@LesOReilly well thanks i will check the code

www.dropbox.com/sh/0xjh38wme7oalez/AACi4dcSGBt808DjITb0iKu7a?dl=0

Keypad is the one from arduino.

Thanks for your quick reaction and help😁👍 that solved my problem. it works perfectly

hi 🖐.. I have 1 more question. is it possible to ad 4 rotary encoders to this configuration? if yes how can I connect them?

@@migas_2407 no would require a lower button count since you need pins directly for the encoders.

Everything is listed in the video.

No idea.... never used one of those.

Yes it can be done with 81... www.dropbox.com/s/rlzozx0r17i523t/MicroUSBButtonBox81.ino?dl=0

@@LesOReilly thanks a lot, I go to see

@@LesOReilly how are the máximum DI it is posible for a PC game

No idea. It depends on the game I guess. But I know that MSFS will see 128 buttons on a vJoy.

Could you make a video on this process?

Maybe. I did a GPS controller with AXis for the volume knobs. Those were easy - as there was already examples out there. Encoders and large numbers of buttons using keypad is harder to do. Will see if I can get some time. Been so busy with work these days working from home is more work than working from work :).

I don't think you have the Joystick.h Library added to your libraries....

@@LesOReilly Hi Les, Yes I have the Joystick.h library added but it may not be the correct one as I've found another post on google with the same issue. Can you share the library you used or a link?

@@olinwinfrey1782 Pretty sure I recently downloaded it directly from within the IDE and the Library Manager...Just searched for Joystick in it

@@LesOReilly Thanks Les, I found "ArduinoJoystickLibrary-master" and it compiled, but on with 32 buttons.

www.dropbox.com/sh/0xjh38wme7oalez/AACi4dcSGBt808DjITb0iKu7a?dl=0 That is the Joystick Folder from my Arduino Library folder....

depends how you use it .. using it with a GNS 530 type project where you don't have multiple buttons held at the same time it is not an issue .. if you don't wan to worry about ghosting then you need diodes.

​@@LesOReilly Thanks :) Ghosting an issue for me. I added diodes to the columns, it works for me. But in online tutorials they are adding to the rows. If i add diodes to rows nothing works.

@@requiem4adreamc okay I guess it would be based on which way you hook up the columns and rows. As in which side column or row is attached to the analog outputs.

@@LesOReilly It makes sense. I will give it a try. Thanks :)

I think i connected the left of the row rather than right or vice versa. Or maybe diodes placed to the wrong direction.

I don't understand your statement..... The Arduino is doing a loop and scanning the Button Grid. If the Button is held down it reports as held down...

@@LesOReilly You answered question. When I toggle my taxi lights on the strobe from the controller input.

You don't have the correct Joystick.h library

@@LesOReilly I got it. Thanks for the help!!

I don’t understand the question. Any clarification you can make would be helpful.

@@LesOReilly when i press more than one button, the "ghosting" appears, i saw on internet that i can eliminate with 1N4148 diode, but i dont know how to connect it :c

Okay got it -- yeah this site has an example of a 4x4 grid with diodes...this is how you would do it. www.gammon.com.au/forum/?id=14175

If you are looking in windows game controller it can only display 32 buttons. However games or configuration software can see them all - ie my sim interface of choice SPAD.Next sees all 100 on my one unit.

@@LesOReilly Thanks for answer . Now A3 Colomb 1.2.3....(Total 14 pin) Row connect th toggle swich is great work but extra connect A2 Colomb 1.2.3...... Row not work . Disconnect 1 pin A3 row system connect 1 pin A2 row so working 10 pins .what can ı do .

@@orpanyolcu3922 You are running into the issue where similar pins held on adjacent columns will have issues with with Latched switches.... Try with Push Button Momentary buttons and it will be fine with independent buttons and then you design your spacing based on combinations that can be multi Held/pressed at the same time. If you want to use Switches with ON/Off then you are going to have to design Diodes into your circuit to prevent this.

I updated the Link again .. Should work now with the update.. Dropbox tends to kill off long time links.. Thanks for letting me know.