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I saw a post on this site where someone needed 64 inputs and instead of buying 8 boards, it was suggested to buy two and matrix them into an 8x8 grid, giving 64 inputs.
Is it possible to double the number of digital inputs on the 8/8/8 by spliting the 8 digital inputs in half and making a 4x4 matrixed input, similar to the above example?
If so, can someone point me to a schematic and sample code?
Thanks.
Hi,
We had discussed matrix lay out's in theory, but discovered that creating a grid of switches won't work because it fires ghost switches.
It's hard to exlpain without a picture, which I don't have, but turning on two switches that have their wires crossing at another point in the grid will make the program think that a 3rd switch has been turned on.
Bottom line, a matrix can't be done. It's a fundamental hardware issue with trying to build switch matrixes, not a Phidgets or software issue. Right now the only option is for users to wire directly to inputs 1X1. Most users favor the 0/16/16 IFK for this purpose.
Matt
Thanks for the quck response Matt.
Kind of getting off the topic of this post, I have a few technical questions about the 8/8/8...
1) What is the A/D resolution on the A/D inputs, 10 bit?
2) Are the Digital inputs debounced in any way in hardware or software before the data is available to IFKit_OnInputChange? I'm trying to use a pushbutton switch to toggle a function in FS2004. It's a little flakey. When I press the button the state does not always change. I think its because of debounce or sample rate.... Thanks.
Here is the code I'm wrote.
Private Sub IFKit_OnInputChange(ByVal Index As Long, ByVal NewState As Boolean)
Dim altLock As Integer
Dim tempaltLock As Integer
If Index = 0 Then
'read FS status of ALT button
Call FSUIPC_Read(&H7D0, 4, VarPtr(altLock), dwResult)
Call FSUIPC_Process(dwResult)
lblFsAltLock.Caption = altLock
If altLock = 0 Then
tempaltLock = 1
Call FSUIPC_Write(&H7D0, 4, VarPtr(tempaltLock), dwResult)
Call FSUIPC_Process(dwResult)
Else
tempaltLock = 0
Call FSUIPC_Write(&H7D0, 4, VarPtr(tempaltLock), dwResult)
Call FSUIPC_Process(dwResult)
End If
If NewState Then 'This means: if NewState = 1 then...
lblInputDigital.Caption = "On"
Else
lblInputDigital.Caption = "Off"
End If
End If 'end index =0
End Sub
>>1) What is the A/D resolution on the A/D inputs, 10 bit?
Yes, that is correct.
>>>2) Are the Digital inputs debounced in any way in hardware or software before the data is available to IFKit_OnInputChange?
No. All debouncing is up to the users. I very rarely hear of a debouncing problem though.
You can add debouncing into your program by using a timer and a boolean. See if that helps. Also, try out different switches and buttons to see if you can isolate it to a funky switch.
Another thing to check is if your PC is bogged down. Is something going on which would cause the program to miss/drop events?
Good luck!
Matt