Build your own force feedback interface?

[BadMouth]

You know, I can fake a hid joystick on a atmega chip.  I'm not sure about FF, but it should be possible.  I wonder how much of his rig is just conversion from Logitech's interface to model 2's because depending upon the operating voltage I might be able to design something that would work with off the shelf electronics.

I was going to post this in the other thread, but since that was someone's build thread, the discussion should probably have it's own thread.

The most recent developments I could find come from here:

http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/the-lifeon2-ffb-wheel-controller.58355/

"The controller is built around an ARM 32 bit RISC processor, the Cortex M3. The M3 has a wealth of peripherals, including an USB 2.0 interface, which I have programmed to communicate with a PC host. The Cortex M3 is paired with a base board which has an electric motor drive stage and monitoring capabilities."



He says he will make the software freely available.



Other similar projects have been started longer ago, but I'm not sure if all the bugs were ever worked out.

This guy used a microcontroller available from sparkfun:
http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/my-homemade-ffb-controller.37051/


This guy ends up using an arduino:
http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/my-custom-happ-f430-steering-wheel.20840/

Also in the mix is a guy using a Logitech hack, but using an arduino to simulate the calibration phase of a 900 degree wheel turning stop to stop.

In one of those threads someone makes the comment that the Logitech and Thrustmaster wheels are actually using the same chips.
Only the motor and amplifier setup vary.  Then I remembered seeing this paper about Immersion: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Immersion+Corporation+and+Kawasaki+LSI+Team+Up+on+Force-Feedback...-a020571547


If you start tinkering, do start a thread about it!

(and what is it with these French guys kicking ass at interfacing arcade controls?  You here Aganyte?    )

[Howard_Casto]

Maybe I'm just missing something because all of these circuits seem waaaaay to complex for what you need to do. 


If it were me I'd use:

A Teensy/Arduino Uno or similar avr.
Your standard joystick stuff (pots switches ect)
A big old motor and pre-made gear assembly, either from an arcade racer or something more common like a power wheels drive assembly.
An amp board of some sort, like a speed controller or an array of transistors, ect.

I've gotta be missing something because aside from that French guy's rig all the overs are hooked up to these convoluted break out boards the size of a house. 

[BadMouth]

Stuff I find interesting, but don't know enough to do anything with:

Immersion Studio - Download link toward bottom, but it says it's a demo version that can't save files
http://www.immersion.com/developers/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=423&Itemid=684

If basically all ffb on the market for the last 20 years used immersion chips, it might give someone an idea of what they're trying to duplicate.

[RacingMat]

Other similar projects have been started longer ago, but I'm not sure if all the bugs were ever worked out.

This guy used a microcontroller available from sparkfun:
http://www.racedepartment.com/forum/threads/my-homemade-ffb-controller.37051/

Hi,

For the record, the project has been finalized! it's known as RFR Mizoo Wheel 

15 people have built this DIY FFB Wheel and no bugs are reported!

No cogging, no clipping, great strength that can render strong forces + minors forces at the same time 

You can find a full tutorial here (shopping list, wiring, flashing, settings): http://www.racingfr.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=46898
The total cost is 800€

Mat