Programming
- Tutorial
INTRODUCTION
Originally, I started out with PMDG 737, and although the process is pretty much the same, the selection of events/offsets is different. PMDG is an awesome starting package and will get you quite far. I switched to Prosim on my second sim build. I have not used PMDG for several years, and cannot remember how to programme it anymore. This guide is based on Prosim and Mobiflight. Hopefully in the future I will also produce a guide for PMDG & Mobiflight.
Prosim really does make it easy to interface with your sim (whatever route you chose). It's quite simply the daddy of software integration, but it now comes with a price to match its awesomeness (around 1600 Euros). Please check the current price first before committing to this route. It allows multiple ways to connect your hardware, it allows the use of multi screen displays to show different displays. It has the ability to display any panel in the cockpit on any screen. It also has the ability to software simulate the FMC and MCP and more. It honestly can do more than I want to mention here, but i'm trying not to be there sales rep!
Infact, I was very lucky to purchase Prosim when I think it was around 400 Euros. If I had come into the hobby when Prosim was at 1600 Euros, Im not sure what route i would have taken.
Please also note that this tutorial can not be used for Xplane and SimVim.
Software
The software I use in my sim is Prepar3d for the base simulator package. Prosim 737 is the flight model software within the sim and has all operating logics and flight characteristics of the 737. It ensures that almost every aspect of the 737 is replicated and fully integratable.
In my case, FSUIPC is needed to read and write the data between the Sim software (Prepar3d) and Prosim. It takes all the values and relays them to where they are needed. FSUIPC is also needed for PMDG aircraft.
Another software that is required is Mobiflight. When I create a switch/LED/electrical component on an arduino mega board, Mobiflight is used to configure the input or output so FSUIPC can read or write the data required to Prosim then onto Prepard3d. Mobiflight tells Prosim what is electrically connected and where its connected. It turns the electrical signal into HEX code for FSUIPC.
Hexidecimal
First you need a set of free offsets or HEX codes to programme with or utilise. Hexadecimal codes are a numerical system with a base of 16. It uses sixteen distinct symbols, most often the symbols 0–9 to represent values zero to nine, and A, B, C, D, E, F to represent values ten to fifteen. Hexadecimal numerals are widely used by computer system designers and programmers. This is what FSUIPC utilises.
HEX CODE NUMBERING:
66C0
66C1
66C2
66C3
66C4
66C5
66C6
66C7
66C8
66C9
66CA
66CB
66CC
66CD
66CE
66CF
You can see on the Left, a series of Hexadecimal values that advance by 1 on each line until all 16 digits are covered. Starting at 66C0 and ending at 66CF. The next line would be 66D0.
Each of these 4 Hexadecimal values are a Byte of data. Each byte (value) can hold 8 bits of data (0 to 7) that we can use.
For example, the following table shows what items in the cockpit have been assigned to that hex address. Each 4-digit hex address having 8 bits, these can be used for a light or switch (or more complicated items described later). You decide what item you want to assign to the address.
free
offsets
The free Offset range for home use is:
66C0-66FF
Another Offset range for 3rd party software use is:
5300-53FF
And finally don't forget to check the FSUIPC documentation for standard offset source settings.
Prosim Setup
Open Prosim, and this panel should appear:
Select Config,
Select Drivers tab:
Prosim is available as a trial, This will allow you to setup up your cockpit and test the software, but every 30 minutes will require a Prosim server restart.
Please also note that you will need a licensed copy of FSUIPC for everything to communicate properly.
In the List, Ensure: FSUIPC is selected.