Download the software from the Introduction
page here...
ONLINE USER GUIDE
Motion Drive Software is
a key part of any motion platform system. It handles
the real-time extraction of flight data from the flight
simulator and the
calculation of motion cues for the platform. See the BFF Motion
Driver page for full details of the software features.
The User Manual is available to download - see download
links below.
BFF Motion Driver
V2.6 software is now available for MS FS9 / FSX / Lockheed
Martin® Prepar3D®, X-Plane versions 8.64
to 10.0,
Condor Soaring and Falcon 4.0 AF. A beta version is also
available for racing sim rFactor.
The
software can be downloaded using the links below, it will run in demo or un-registered mode for
approximately 10 minutes after which you will need to
re-start the driver or register it (time for a quick traffic pattern).
This should be plenty of time to let you operate the
software to confirm that it runs on your system and to try
out it's many features. To remove the time limit you will
need to get a software key for the driver version you want
to unlock it on your PC -
NOTE detailed plans for the
Mini Motion Platform 3 and the DIY
Linear Actuator are now bundled FREE with the V2 motion driver package.
(Version 2 of the actuator plans was
released 11th April '08.)
ORDER UNLOCK KEYS ONLINE HERE
The price of a registration key for the V2
motion driver is £34.95. (All V2 motion driver versions use the same registration key.)
NOTE the V2 software key is now available with the 64SPU-1
card as a discounted bundle - see the
order page. Software
keys are computer specific.
(Many thanks to
Roland van Roy and
Thanos
Kod for their Beta testing on the V1 software.)
To
install the software unzip the files into a dedicated directory on
your PC. Run the .exe's from that
directory or from shortcuts which point to them - do not
separate the .exe's from the other files in the package. To
uninstall just delete all the files. For FS/FSX use you will also need the
correct up-to-date version of FSUIPC installed. This is
available from Pete Dowson's site
here
- make sure you get the correct version for your FS and read
carefully Pete's installation instructions. FSUIPC does not
need to be registered for the motion driver to run. If you
are running the FS9/FSX version over a LAN BFF Motion Bridge
must be installed and running on the main flight sim PC.
NEWS /
UPDATE HISTORY
Please see
On-Line User Guide for
most recent updates....
NEWS APRIL -12
- X-Plane driver updated - see
On-Line User Guide.
NEWS JAN -12
- PID Servo Controller upgraded to V2.63. To add data output
mode PM10V for use with the PM10V-1 +/-9V analogue voltage
converter card.
NEWS DEC -10
- PID Servo Controller upgraded to V2.61. This is to correct
a problem with position feedback false out of range
detection messages when the all 3 channels are not in use.
It also stops the PID_SC.log file being filled with
incorrect error messages.
NEWS DEC -10
- V2.6beta upgraded to full release. Versions available for
FS9/X, S-Plane, Condor and Falcon 4 AF. New online user
guide - quicker access and allows me to update the document
more easily.
NEWS SEPT -10
- Various further updates made to the v2.6beta versions of the
driver software - check the
v2.6 update document. V2.6beta version for Condor
Soaring
available.
NEWS JUNE/JULY -10
- Various updates made to the v2.6beta versions of the
driver software - check the
v2.6 update document. V2.6beta version for X-Plane
available.
NEWS JAN/FEB -10
- I've made available various v2.6 Beta versions of the
motion driver and PID Servo Controller to try. If you use
these and find any bugs please let me know. Improvements
include support for SCN5 actuators, Dimension Engineering
motor controllers and many others - see
v2.6 update document.
NEWS 24th JULY '09 - Updated the User
Manual to clarify built-in noise filter settings of v2.5 &
later of the PID Servo Controller software - see section 5.
NEWS 16th JUNE '09 - PID Servo Controller raised to
V2.5.1 to correct bug which prevented detection of on-ground
indication. This disabled the in-air PID settings and forced
the servo system to use the on-ground PID settings even
whilst the aircraft is in the air.
NEWS 5th JUNE '09 - Both MSFS & X-Plane
drivers raised to V2.4. Support added for the
BFF Motion Platform Power
Calculator and higher resolution MEM outputs added to
support the forthcoming 40MHz SPU PCB. PID Servo Controller raised to
V2.5 to add
support for the new 28X2 chip SPU PCB.
NEWS 7th FEB '09 - Both MSFS & X-Plane
drivers raised to V2.1. For commercial users support has
been added for Galil Position Tracking mode motion
controllers. Additionally in-program cue settings and a
virtual oscilloscope have been added. PID Servo Controller
also raised to v2.1 to add a virtual oscilloscope. Manual
raised to V2.1
NEWS 28th FEB '09 - Both MSFS & X-Plane
drivers raised to V2.05. This is a correction to an error
introduced in v2.04 which corrupted the HEX2 data output.
DO NOT USE V2.04 IF YOU USE THE HEX2
DATA FORMAT.
NEWS 10th FEB '09 - PID Servo Controller raised
to V2.05. This adds the interesting capability of real-time
motor speed controller condition monitoring. The motor
controller currents and temperatures are displayed on the
Servo Controller main window - keep an eye on your system
loading in real-time. Needs the correct .bas flash program
and the Enhanced SPU.
NEWS 2nd FEB '09 - Both MSFS & X-Plane
drivers raised to V2.04 and the PID Servo Controller raised
to V2.04 also. This is essentially a recompilation with a
new AHK compiler which produces faster running .exe's. I've
noticed a significant improvement in the refresh speeds of
the software running on my systems. There are also a few
tweaks to the motion driver GUI window.
NEWS 6th JAN '09 - PID Servo Controller
taken to V2.03 - this adds the capability for the controller
to run at higher baud rates and in particular at 115200 baud
for use with the new speed
enhanced SPU design. The baud rate is now set in the
PID2.cfg file. I've also raised the Motion Drivers to v2.02
to add the capability to specify the lateral acceleration
cue washout time constant separately for on-ground
operations (TClg).
NEWS 22th DEC '08 - Major upgrade of the
Motion Driver to version 2 - this
includes new features and includes a roll-up of the new features from the v1.7 beta
version. V2 for MSFS & X-Plane now has -
-
LAN operation (to keep CPU load off your
sim PC)
-
NEW integrated
Articulated Projector
driver
-
Drive and Hold buttons (to smooth your
start-up sequence)
-
Manual override of position demand
outputs (to assist hardware set up)
-
Flight data capture window (to assist
configuration file set up)
-
New runway heave motion effects (for
MSFS's flat runways!)
-
V2 of the PID Servo Controller with dual
PID settings and support for US digital MA3 encoder use
for position feedback.
-
Various other small improvements and
fixes.
NEWS 18th NOV '08 - I've made available
a beta version of the v1.7 MSFS driver. This introduces a
LAN networking option to allow the driver to run on a
networked PC. This leaves the main sim PC free from the CPU
load resulting from the PID Servo Controller operation and
will be a useful option for users running FSX on less
powerful machines. v1.7beta also adds a "Capture" button
which can be used to capture the max and min flight
acceleration magnitudes during key flight events for use in
your driver set up activities.
NEWS 18th NOV '08 - PICAXE SPU_I2C.bas
programs all raised to rev2. This is to introduce better
handling of momentary loss of serial data especially when
using USB virtual serial port comms. The flash programs now
make duplicate tests for serial data when a timeout occurs
to ensure that the data interruption is not momentary and so
avoid unnecessarily holding the platform motion.
NEWS 22nd OCT '08
- MSFS Driver raised to 1.6.5d. Several updates here -
mainly the introduction of "Hold" and "Drive" buttons on the
driver to switch the output between the config file defined
start positions and the live motion output. This will assist
startup and shut-down procedures. Several buttons on the
driver will not now become active until the driver has
completed its initial calculation loops to stabilise the
washout filters. A bug fix on passing rig start positions of
values less than 100 to the PID Servo Controller software
has been fixed. More robust handling of MSFS process
detection when the flight sim is switching between full and
windowed modes.
NEWS 11th SEPT '08
- X-Plane version raised to v1.3.1 to accommodate UPD data
changes made in X-Plane v9.2.
NEWS 26th AUG '08
- I've made various improvements to the .bas 28X1 chip flash
programs for the single chip SPU. Further serial input data
error checking as been added. Versions now available for
28X1 A.3 chips with external 16MHz resonator and with
internal 8 MHz resonator. A.3 firmware chips will only work
with the v1.3 of the PID_Controller. Driver_Setup_3pt.exe
raised to v1.6.1 to correct writing of actuator start
positions when Send_To button is used.
NEWS 24th AUG '08
- MSFS driver raised to 1.6.2 - improved detection of
unexpected closure of FS window - driver now closes if FS
closes. Raised PID_Controller to v1.3 - adjusted serial
output to allow PICAXE 28X1 VA.3 chips to read data
correctly.
NEWS 3rd MARCH '08 -
I've introduced a second driver setup program to be used
specifically for configuration settings for 3-point support
type motion platforms. It should be used for these types of
rigs with the FS9/FSX driver v1.6 and later and the X-Plane
driver v1.3 and later. The two setup programs are now called
Driver_Setup_ind.exe (for rigs with independently actuated
DOF's) and Driver_Setup_3pt.exe (for 3 point support type
platforms).
NEWS
16th JAN '08 - The X-Plane motion driver has
now been upgraded to work with X-Plane v9.0 Beta 2. Note
there are settings changes required in X-Plane 9 - check the
updated driver manual (v1.5.1)
NEWS
21st DEC '07 - Along with a new much simpler
single chip Signal Processor Unit design I've released v1.5
of the BFF Motion Driver for MSFS which now includes a
software PID Servo Controller. This does all the controller
calculations on the PC and substantially simplifies the
external electronic hardware that needs to be built. For
more details see the updated system page
here.
NEWS
28th NOV '07 - Informational plans for a 200W 425mm
stroke DIY linear actuator are now bundled FREE with
software key purchases - you can read about the
actuator design here.
IMPORTANT - I will issue a
corrected drawing sheet shortly but for prior notice the
roller chain length given in the Actuator drawings as 110
pitches should be 119 pitches (without connectors) or 121
pitches including two end connectors - apologies. - see v2
of the actuator plans.
NEWS
7th Nov '07 - I've now been able to release full
versions of the motion driver (v1) which run with FSX/FS9
and X-Plane 8.64. The drivers come with a Driver Setup
application which allows a full range of user configuration
settings to be made and multiple configuration file saves.
There is a fully detailed User Manual. The v1 setup
application works with the new v2.0 PICAXE chip
programming to enable the system SPU to be configured from
the PC rather than by changing and flashing the
microcontroller chips. The driver outputs may also be used
with other drive hardware configurations.
Update History......
(Updated 19th March 08, FS9/FSX version to
v1.6.1 - updated to increase resolution of position demands
on 3-point support rig output to 4 significant figures for
PID servo control software use.)
(Updated 3rd March 08, FS9/FSX version to
v1.6, X-Plane version to v1.3 - both updated to use the new
configuration file settings for 3-point support type
platforms as defined by the new Driver_Setup_3pt.exe
configuration program.)
(Updated 16th Jan 08, X-Plane version to
v1.1.4 - upgraded to work with X-Plane 9.0 Beta 2.)
(Updated 14th Jan 08, X-Plane version to
v1.1.3 - change to roll cue to make ground and air turns
consistent - oops!)
(Updated 21st Dec 07 FS9/FSX Driver and
Setup program to 1.5. Major upgrade to include the new v1.0
BFF PID Servo Controller application. Additional small
changes to recognise French language version of FS9, better
handling of aircraft crash situations + misc updates. User
Manual updated.)
(Updated 29th Nov 07 FS9/FSX Driver to
1.1.3 & X-Plane Driver to 1.1.2, improved error handling &
COM port checking - NOTE these versions require new unlock
keys - can existing customers please email me with the
computer ID generated by the registration window and I'll
email your new keys back.)
(Updated FS9/FSX Driver 18th Nov 07 to
v1.1.2, added recognition for non-English language versions
of FS9.)
(Updated Drivers 15th Nov 07 to v1.1.1,
tweaked serial port programming to work with Vista, fixed
hang behaviour in X-Plane version when UDP data not
available. Adjusted Setup program to v1.1.1 to allow lower
"Ramp Cutoff Distance" settings to improve control system
response.)
(Updated Driver 9th Nov 07 to v1.1,
altered roll +ve direction in 3-point support for
consistency & minor adjustment to the way mid-position is
determined for 3-point support output. Additional info in
manual.)
(Setup program updated 7th Nov 07 to v1.1,
Fixed bug which prevented changes to Heave_Rev parameter
from being saved in config file.)
(Major v1.0 payware release 6th Nov 07 -
Additional config parameters added to enhance cue
customization, added textual data output options for
inspection/charting, added support for 3 point support
platforms, added Shared Memory data output for direct
inter-process communication, added normal-rate reverse roll
behaviour for 360Deg rolls, implemented full set of aircraft
status indicators, updated manual).
(Updated 12th Oct 07 - Beta v0.9.2.1,
Changed HEX2 data output to use upper case letters - some
microcontrollers may have difficulty with lower case HEX
data.)
(Updated 10th Oct 07 - Beta v0.9.2, Serial
output corrected and should work on both BIN and HEX2 modes
at speeds up to 115200 baud. Bug in setup program fixed
which incorrectly set the VALim2 param in the config - file.
Manual updated. Various small tweaks.)
(Updated 5th Oct 07 - Beta v0.9.1, upgraded
to run with FSX & FSUIPC4, Driver Setup application added
with multiple configuration file facility, User Manual
added, PC based SPU configuration added. Various
improvements made.)
WIRING DIAGRAMS & PICAXE PROGRAMS
Signal Processor Unit -
Single 28X1 chip
version (for use with the BFF PID Servo Controller)
See
here for more details. As there
is only the single 28X1 chip on this SPU it is easier to
build and there is less data needed. The single short flash
program is now included in the V1.5 Driver download package
above. The system and SPU wiring information is below -
28X1 PICAXE
Chip Pin Designations
New SPU Wiring
New Overall
System Wiring
Previous (4 chip) Signal Processor Unit - v2.0 Chip Programming
(NOT for use with the BFF PID Servo Controller)
The programs and wiring diagrams in this section are for the
earlier 4-chip SPU design and are
not for use with the single chip SPU
The v2.0 PICAXE chip programming uses only two programs - one for the
28X chip and one for all the 18X chips and allows the 18X
chip tuning to be set from the driver setup applications. They are -
ReadPosGeneric.bas - the 28X flash
program - Read position data from PC COM
port & distribute + 18X initialisation and EEPROM
storage of settings.
Pos2SpeedGeneric.bas - A
single program to program all the 18X chips - motor
controller speed demand.
The programs are contained in this zip archive -
PICAXE_progs_v2_0.zip
The
download / flash process is accomplished using the free
PICAXE
programming software. Make sure you flash the
correct chip with the correct program.
(Check
here for
your local distributor of PICAXE chips.)
The
behaviour of the SPU with these programs is slightly
different from before in that on power-up of the SPU each chip will
initialise in turn and will flash its LED four times to
confirm that initialisation. A new initialisation can then
be forced at any time from the Driver Setup application on the PC to
alter the control system response for each DOF. The new settings are stored
permanently in the 28X chip's EEPROM and will be used until
the SPU is further updated. See the User Manual for details
of the settings.
(Nov 19th 07 - Quick note on the 28X
programming. I have just tried the newer 28X1 chip instead
of the 28X I have been using for some time and can't get the
serial read to work with the newer version. The
documentation for the 28X1 doesn't suggest there should be
any problem with the serin command, but there may be. I'll
look into this but be-warned the 28X1 may not work with this
programming.
Update on serin issue - I still can't get
the 28X1 to receive serial input on 4800 baud, but it does
work on 2400 baud! As a workaround if you want to use the
28X1 chip rather than the older 28X then you may have to
amend the serin commands (there are two) in the
ReadPosGeneric program to 2400 baud and make sure the BFF
driver is sending at the same rate by setting the Baud
parameter in your config file to 2400.)
Circuit and Wiring Diagrams
These are
available in .pdf format for easier printing.
PICAXE
Chip Pin Designations v1
Signal
Processor Wiring 1 v1
Signal
Processor Wiring 2 v1
Overall
System Wiring v1
Please let me know if you come across any obvious (or less
obvious) mistakes in the information so that I can correct
them and re-issue.
Please
note that the above information is provided free of
charge "AS IS" without warranty or guarantee of any kind.
Treat the chip software as untested Beta software - it may not
always behave as expected. The success of any project using
this material will depend as much upon the quality of your
construction as on the quality of the above information.
There
are presently no detailed engineering drawings available
for the mechanical design of the cockpit. My current feeling
is that the mechanical build may be too challenging a
project for most DIY'ers - there are several very highly
loaded joints and structures in the design which may fail
dangerously if they are not built well and some precision is
needed in the vertical guides and pin/bearing element builds
for the machine to run smoothly. I'm still thinking about
the best way to present the mechanical build information in
a way useful to most builders.
DIY
builders may however be interested to have a look at a new
project where I have had a go at designing a low-cost DIY
electric linear actuator that might be of use in more
conventional platform designs.
DIY Electric Linear Actuator
I do have
a full set of 3D solid models of the cockpit design however which I
may be able to make available "as-is" for a charge once
I've made a few post-build changes to them to record the
design changes made in the workshop and on test. If you are
interested in these please email me. They are presently in TurboCAD Pro v12 format but can be made available in other
formats such as STEP or ACIS.
Motion
Drive Software
Signal Processor
OLDER SOFTWARE VERSIONS
Signal Processor Unit - v1.1 Chip Programming
The PICAXE chips, which are the brains of the Signal
Processor Unit, come un-programmed. To get them to do what
they need to do they must be "flashed" with their working
programs. These are written in BASIC and are -
ReadPos.bas - the 28X flash
program - Read position data from PC COM
port & distribute.
Pos2SpeedPitch.bas - Pitch
DOF 18X program - Pitch motor
controller speed demand.
Pos2SpeedRoll.bas - Roll DOF
18X program - Roll motor
controller speed demand.
Pos2SpeedHeave.bas - Heave
DOF 18X program - Heave motor
controller speed demand.
The
download / flash process is accomplished using the free
PICAXE
programming software. Make sure you
flash the correct 18X with the correct program. The programs
themselves are contained in this zip archive -
PICAXE_progs_v1_1.zip
(Released under the GNU General Public
License)
(Check
here for
your local distributor of PICAXE chips.)
© This site is
copyrighted, If you'd like more information or have any
comments please contact me at