SimVimX Home Cockpit Software

The SimVimX project is a result of our long work on input/output data exchange protocol and plugins for X-Plane, starting with early versions of ARDref plugin, then ArdSim(X) plugins and instrument panel program.

The latest, most successful and significant SimVim plugin (named HCSCI in versions from 0.9.68 to 1.0.80) has now evolved to SimVimX from v. 1.0.81 and I'm going to develop it further.

Main features:

1. SimVimX Plugin provides communication protocol 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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2. The same protocol is used to communicate with RealSimControl hardware I/O controller. The plugin receives input control data from the controller, using it to trigger SimVimX functions to simulate specific device logic or call various X-Plane functions. For data output, the plugin reads and processes simulator data configured in the cfg file and sends the results to the hardware controller in a specific format, taking into account the output type, predefined device type and various conditions.

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3. The plugin contains about 350 different custom 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.

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4. Data input and output is designed to be independant of the plane model used, so any given instrument panel or hardware cockpit configuration will work with any aircraft model, no matter what custom datarefs this model has, as long as this model is supported by the plugin or has a conversion file available. All default X-Plane aircraft models and the popular Zibo Mod B738 are supported by default, and many custom aircraft models will work without requiring any conversion. For software panel output most models should work without any issues.

Getting started is easy

To try out the interface, all you need is a second computer (or a laptop, mini-PC, or Raspberry Pi) to run the instrument panels program. Just place SimVimX plugin on your computer running X-Plane, 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.

And if you have a spare Arduino Mega, you can quickly test how the plugin works with the hardware controller by uploading the RealSimCockpit 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.

SimVimX Custom functions

Here you can see is the list of all specialized SimVimX control functions that are used in many real airplanes, but which are not modelled in X-Plane.

Such functions can be implemented in custom / commercial aircraft models using their own custom set of commands and datarefs.

SimVimX allows you to implement these functionalities for any of your aircraft without need to have them programmed in the particular plane model, with no additional custom datarefs for each plane. All these functions will work just away you configure them for any aircraft model.

	Radio Equipment Here you can see all SimVimX Radio devices that are modelled (or planned to) with all specific functionality in SimVimPanel and for hardware implementation. All devices are fully functional replicas for SimVimPanel and "hardware" device. The universal set of custom SimVimX Com/Nav functions allows to program this radios for any plane model. You do not need it to be simulated on your virtual plane.
	Combo Radio Module You can use these combo radio functions to bulid your custom radio usinig the RealSimControl interface.
	Rudder Trim Display, format [L15.5], [R20.0]
	A-510 Starter Key (5-position switch that uses only 3 inputs).
	Starter Return
	Separate Magneto switches - for single-engine planes that have two separate toggle switches for L and R Magnetos
"Brakes_Lock"	Brakes Lock Switch (for Parking position). Locks the brakes when you fully depress both toe brakes and turn this switch on.
"AT_MOTOR"	Auto/Trottle (motorized output)
"AP_CWS"	AP - CWS hold-release button
"Prop_Sync" "Prop_Sync_Dir"	PWM DC motor Synchroscope - parameteres for rotation and direction
"Gear_Auto_Ext"	Automatc Gear Extension ON switch on speed lower than defined.

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