SimVimX System

1. The SimVimX plugin provides a communication protocol with the firmware program loaded into the I/O controller, which is the Mega 2560 board. The plugin receives input data from the controller, using it to run SimVimX functions to simulate specific device logic, or directly call X-Plane functions. To output data, the plugin reads and processes the simulator data configured in the user config file and sends the results to the hardware controller in a specific format based on the output type, predefined device type, and various conditions.

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2. The same protocol is used to communicate with SimVimPanel program to display instrument panels on other computers. The plugin processes simulator data and sends the results to the panel program to display all instuments readings. It also receives input data from the on-screen SimVimPanel input zones to call X-Plane functions or SimVimX functions to simulate instruments logic:

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3. The plugin contains about 350 different custom programmed functions that expand upon the data and functions available in X-Plane, for purposes such as simulating advanced functionality of radio equipment based on its type, implementing cockpit controls not yet available in X-Plane or used only in specific aircraft types, doing additional processing of X-Plane data to make it more suitable for multi-purpose output, and so on.

Getting started is easy

If you have a spare Arduino Mega, you can quickly test how the plugin works with the hardware controller by uploading the SimVimX Firmware to it. The firmware is already included in the plugin, so just open the plugin's "I/O Hardware" menu and follow the steps described there.

To try out the SimVImPanel program, all you need is a second computer (or a laptop, mini-PC, or Raspberry Pi) to run the instrument panels program. Download SimVimPanel on the second computer, and start. If the computers are on the same network, they will automatically connect and you will see the instrument panel working.