Hi guys,
i'm working on a basic 'joystick' project, for connection to a joystick port.
The actual purpose is to create a 'theremin' type controller, which sends the computer 2 variable levels, which gets converted by a VST plugin into MIDI CC data. As the joystick port can handle analogue levels, i've decided it is by far the simplest approach.
Rather than do any kind of hetrodyning palava, i'm going to be using two Sharp GP2D12 infrared sensors. These operate from 5V and output from 0-5V. As the joystick port uses 5V this is ideal.
However, i'm a little unsure as to the best way to use them. I presume someone here has some kind of experience with PC joystick ports, and could shed some light on the situation.
i presume i'd need to put some kind of protection for the input of the sensors, would a resistor be sufficient?
and the output from the sensors, is it safe to connect that straight to the axis pin? i imagine it's probably safe to limit that a bit; perhaps with some kind of potential divider setup of resistors, or would it be necessary to have some kind of op-amp in there? (i imagine that would be way overkill)... or would a zener diode be a good idea?
i plan on having two of these sensors; one for each joystick axis. I'm sure it's possible to have this as a very simple circuit, with no microcontrollers or anything, what with all the ADC taking place on the computer's side of the port. how much do i need to worry about the current? i presume just using resistors is a bit of a weak idea, and has the potential to generate a bit of heat...
i'd really appreciate any suggestions from anyone here.
thanks for your time,
haydxn
i'm working on a basic 'joystick' project, for connection to a joystick port.
The actual purpose is to create a 'theremin' type controller, which sends the computer 2 variable levels, which gets converted by a VST plugin into MIDI CC data. As the joystick port can handle analogue levels, i've decided it is by far the simplest approach.
Rather than do any kind of hetrodyning palava, i'm going to be using two Sharp GP2D12 infrared sensors. These operate from 5V and output from 0-5V. As the joystick port uses 5V this is ideal.
However, i'm a little unsure as to the best way to use them. I presume someone here has some kind of experience with PC joystick ports, and could shed some light on the situation.
i presume i'd need to put some kind of protection for the input of the sensors, would a resistor be sufficient?
and the output from the sensors, is it safe to connect that straight to the axis pin? i imagine it's probably safe to limit that a bit; perhaps with some kind of potential divider setup of resistors, or would it be necessary to have some kind of op-amp in there? (i imagine that would be way overkill)... or would a zener diode be a good idea?
i plan on having two of these sensors; one for each joystick axis. I'm sure it's possible to have this as a very simple circuit, with no microcontrollers or anything, what with all the ADC taking place on the computer's side of the port. how much do i need to worry about the current? i presume just using resistors is a bit of a weak idea, and has the potential to generate a bit of heat...
i'd really appreciate any suggestions from anyone here.
thanks for your time,
haydxn