USB Control Movement

[jlpilot]

Hi all,

I've been playing around with PSX using a Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas X. I've managed to assign all the axis and buttons quite easily but the problem I'm having is with the movement of the flight controls and throttles. I had the same issue using a different joystick so it's quite possible it might be my system that is the problem.

The throttles for example, seem to have random null zones where they'll move to around 40%, then jump to 65% with no movement in between.

[EDIT]: All values on the USB page are at their defaults.

The ailerons and elevators seem to have a small issue although that actually might be the way the 74 handles with all that inertia. It just seems a bit spiky and very roll sensitive.

I haven't installed any drivers except the default drivers and I'm running Windows 7. I remember seeing a similar post but I can't seem to find it on the search.

Hardy mentioned something about TCP/IP controls being more accurate and the sim was designed to be used with those type of controls. I have no idea of what they are, could someone give me a brief explanation on how that works or point me in the right direction to read it myself?

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

In PSX, set all USB null zones to zero to see what the noise floor of your controls is.

Null zones are the amount of USB movement that the control must experience before telling PSX of its movement. If your control jitters a bit, you don't want PSX to get that jitter, so you increase the null zone to 2 or 4 to suppress the jitter.

But if you set your null zones too high, they sort of transform the continuous USB control into a switch. You reduce the amount of steps that the control emits to PSX. It sounds like you have a huge null zone set up that reduces your throttle control to a 5-way switch.

TCP/IP is PSX's network. There are no TCP/IP controls on the market. You will have to build them, but this is exactly what cockpit builders want.


Hoppie

[jlpilot]

In PSX, set all USB null zones to zero to see what the noise floor of your controls is.

Hi Jeroen,

This did the trick. Thanks a lot. I changed all the values from 300 to 0 and there actually is no noise at all. (fairly new and unused joystick). 0 was way too sensitive for the ailerons so they are back up at 200. I'm sure I'll have to change these values when I connect my saitek yoke and throttles.

I assume this is the only way to adjust the sensitivities also?

[Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers]

To calibrate the control sensitivities, you use the Windows (or Mac) operating system controls. Assure that your stick axes go all the way from far left/down to far right/up, using whatever control panel your OS provides.

PSX itself then maps the full control range to the full simulated yoke/lever/pedal range. While you move the control, look at the schematic control in the top-left of the PSX display. When your real yoke moves from left to right all the way, the schematic yoke must also move from left to right all the way.

Once this is done, you have your controls calibrated exactly as intended.

If you still find your controls too sensitive, you have discovered the 747-400's greatest secret: it is NOT a sluggish bird! Your control movements may be small, but the barn doors out there are pushed into the slipstream by large hydraulic pistons, and a bit of motion translates into quite a bang.

The null zones should not be confused with sensitivity for range. Null zones control sensitivity for jitter, for small deflections around a steady point; call it smoothness. The range is determined by the OS calibration; call it throw.

Of course, a real 744 yoke has quite a huge physical throw and your desktop stick will probably not be a match. Solve this by calibrating the OS to less throw than full range. Stick hard left, schematic yoke just 25% left.


Hoppie

[Berndo]

Nice thread! It got me to retry different values for neutral in PSX.

Yesterday on my many landing attemps it was very sensitive, even using Logitech Profiler (hadn't used that sw for ages) and setting up null zones/sensitivity didn't change the reported values in PSX at all, even with null at 100% I got full rudder movement.

Then jlpilot posted and I tried setting up with Logitech Profiler again and discovered a bug. Changing a profile by itself does nothing (at least on my PC). I have to apply another profile via the "Global Profiler Options", exit that dialog, reopen it and apply the PSX profile as global & unchangeable.
Restarting PSX after that and now I have null zones, reduced range, etc in PSX.

Afterwards I made three non-bouncing landings in a row. The passengers are no longer calling me Mr. Kangaroo!  :mrgreen:

Bernd

[jlpilot]

Afterwards I made three non-bouncing landings in a row. The passengers are no longer calling me Mr. Kangaroo!  :mrgreen:

Nice!   I think I might be on my last warning for scrapping the pods on every landing!  :mrgreen:

If you still find your controls too sensitive, you have discovered the 747-400's greatest secret: it is NOT a sluggish bird! Your control movements may be small, but the barn doors out there are pushed into the slipstream by large hydraulic pistons, and a bit of motion translates into quite a bang.

That's a good point actually... At low speed you have the inboard and outboard ailerons, plus the spoilers if the deflection is enough. Definitely makes sense that the movement is exaggerated on a joystick but probably a lot better on a proper yoke.