SimVimX System is a flexible, easy to use but powerful I/O interface for home cockpit builders that will save you a lot of time since programming or electronics skills are not required.
Only cheap, mainly ready to use electronics modules are used without need to order or make any complex PCBs. Over time, some PCBs and modular components for future implementations of this interface can be available for purchase from this website.
The project arose as a result of the need for a user-friendly I/O interface (which was difficult to find on the Internet at the time) after first success with my Baron-58 panel (2012) program code. SimVimX is the last generation of our I/O interface since 2012, among ArdSimX, ArdRef, XPData developed before. (The full history is here)
SimVimX System Components
1) SimVimX Plugin for X-Plane is the most essential part of this interface. Since this project launch, the plugin has grown into a huge program code, which is not just an I/O interface that simply executes some X-Plane commands, but a "cockpit simulator" with many complex custom functions for number of input/output systems. It provides data processing for output, receives data from the master controller board and communicates with the panel simulator (SimVimPanel program).
2) Firmware for Atmega 2560 controller is a kind of universal "driver" for all output devices and input controller. This is a highly optimized program code, written from scratch, without using Arduino libraries, to handle a huge number of inputs and different output devices, data exchange between the SimVimX plugin and the slave controller boards.
The Interactive Configuration Tool is a handy online I/O Configurator used to configure cockpit control hardware for any aircraft. Parameter image maps of different panel areas make it easier to find and assign the needed elements (parameters) to the switches, encoders, analog axes, rotary switches, LEDs, 7-segment displays, LCD and gauges connected to the master board, without any programming.
3) SimVimPanel Software is a standalone program with a set of realistic, fully-functional aircraft instruments to be displayed on a computer that is connected by network to the main computer with X-Plane. The system is built in such a way that any number of computers with different instrument panels can be connected to the main computer running X-Plane. The program doesn't require any configuration on the user's part. Once you download our SimVimX plugin for X-Plane and run the program on another computer in the local network, they will connect automatically.
Preliminary remarks
! While using the SimVimX system can greatly simplify the process of creating a home flight simulator, you should have some handicraft, basic wiring and soldering skills and sufficient technical knowledge in an aviation related field. Basic knowledge of electronics can be useful (but not required).
It is not necessary to know X-Plane's data structure and scripts, only a basic understanding of commands and datarefs can be useful for custom data conversion.
Before building a home cockpit (especially if this is your first project), you need to realise that it can be a complex and time-consuming process. Please first carefully study the pages of this site (all information is presented in a fairly understandable form).
The SimVimX project is always in a state of constant development and its functionality can be improved and changed during development.
It is currently freeware, but ultimately it can become free open source at a certain stage of development.
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