RealSimControl - Home Cockpit Input/Output control Interface
Hi, we are a small father-son team (Vlad and Roman) and this is our latest flight simulator interface designed for home cockpit builders that will save you a lot of time and money by allowing you to focus on the build process itself as no any programming skills and Arduino coding are required.
Only cheap, readily available electronic components and ready-to-use modules are used without need to order or make any complex PCBs.
This project came about out of a need for a user-friendly yet powerful control interface for home cockpit simulator. After initial success with the Arduino program for my Baron-58 panel simulator (2012), we eventually decided to develop a versatile and user-friendly Arduino-based I/O system for home cockpit builders that allows you to build any home simulator without programming and a bunch of electronics.
SimVimX/RSC is the 6th generation of our I/O interface since 2012, before that we have developed these libraries and plugins:
Arduino code > XPData Library > ARDref Library/Plugin > ArdSim Library/Plugin > ArdSimX Interface > Read more
System Components
1) SimVimX Plugin for X-Plane
The SimVimX Plugin is the most essential part of this interface. Eventually, the plugin has grown into a huge program code that is not just a simple I/O interface executing some X-Plane commands, but a "cockpit simulator" system with many complex functions for some particular input/output systems (like most radio functions)..
2) RSC firmware for Atmega 2560 controller board
RSC firmware is more like a universal "driver" for all output devices and input controller, it is a highly optimized program for AVR controller, written from scratch, without using any Arduino libraries, to handle a large number of inputs, synchronize control of a large number of different input/output devices, data exchange between the SimVimX plug-in, the master board and the “slave” controller boards.
3) Interactive Configuration Tool
A simple, intuitive online I/O configuration tool (Configurator ) is used to configure inputs/outputs for any aircraft cockpit. 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.
4) SimVimPanel Software
SimVimPanel is a standalone program providing 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.
Download - (please use the latest versions to avoid problems with your working configuration).
| Current SimVimX version (Plugin and database file) |
SimVimX Plugin - v2.16a |
14 Mar. 2023 |
| Latest database file (also included in the plugin archive above) |
SimVimX.dat |
17 Mar. 2023 |
| Experimental plugin for Apple Silicon (aarch64-macos) |
SimVimX Plugin - aarch64-macos beta |
14 Mar. 2023 |
| Latest changes overview |
Full Versions History |
Installation |
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Beta / test plugin or firmware versions can be available for subscribers. The latest stable firmware is always included in the SimVimX plugin packet and uploading automatically to the master board.
- A new, more consistent system for all parameters related to brightness control (lighting/displays) is being implemented. These dedicated parameters will be working with custom planes (with proper conversion) and at the same time can be used for hardware lighting and SimVimPanel lighting. Added support for this parameter structure to the plugin.
- Improved the "Starter_Return" function for better compatibility with different aircraft models.
- Improved the plugin's handling of some input keywords (where built-in SimVimX functions are run simultaneously with converted functions for custom models).
- Fixed an oversight in input processing for analog inputs preventing them from working correctly with some of the complex SimVimX functions.
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Note: X-Plane 12 Mac users with Apple Silicon processors can use the beta plugin archive for aarch64-macos above. Requires additional files from the main archive. Currently does not check for updates online.
Preliminary notes
Before building a home cockpit (especially if this is your first project), you need to understand 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).
! While using the RSC system can greatly simplify the process of creating a home flight simulator, you should have 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.
The RSC interface project is always in a state of constant development and its functionality can be improved and changed during development.
Support / Subscribe
Your support/donation is very important for the development of the project, besides, you can get more personalized technical support, advice, access the aircraft conversion file (see this list), get beta versions or modified firmware versions (if available or upon request).
The BOOSTY donation/subscribtion platform is the Patreon alternative.
-- Roman's personal Boosty Blog (SimVimX)
-- Vlad's personal Boosty Blog (RealSimControl)
<== Program Overview / DOWNLOAD
