FSUIPC Offsets for Cockpit Peripherals

[737NGX]

Pete,

I am in the process of building a 737 Max cockpit. The MIP is a Flight Deck Solutions product. The avionics software is Sim-A. But I am interested in utilizing more affordable products for the Overhead, Pedestal, and Pedestal. I know that since Sim-A is 100% seamlessly compatible with "ALL" FDS products, there is no issue regarding integration pf hardware peripherals. But if I decide to use, as an example, products from Sim World, Sismo-Soluciones, Open Cockpits, etc., for the hardware peripherals, I need to know that I can get them integrated with no problems. I posed a question to Mark Hastings, software developer of Sim-A, and here was his reply preceded by my questions.

"Reading release notes and presentation of the new 737Max Sim-A software, if I understand correctly, any hardware peripherals that can connect to the flight simulator (P3Dv4) via FSUIPC, is compatible with Sim-A. As an example: Sim-A makes no note regarding the center pedestal gauges. COM/NAV, Transponder, WX Radar, etc. If I were to build a center pedestal with I/O cards that can communicate with P3Dv4 via FSUIPC, everything should work? And I assume that the same would be for TQ, FWD and AFT OVHD as well. Just pulling straws here." 
Stephen

"Yes you are able to assign FSUIPC offsets to input/output functions in the Server.
The assignments are held in \Server\FSUIPC_IO.ini (Also editable via the FSUIPC I/O Interface tab on the Server)

For example in the IO file you would assign any spare offsets to functions :
[FSUIPC_INPUTS]
FUEL_PUMP_LEFT_FWD_SWITCH=5300
TCAS_MODE_SWITCH=5301

The FSUIPC inputs must be enabled via the checkbox on the Server Control Panel Tab.

The Server will then monitor the values in the assigned offsets.
So if the value in x5300 = 1 the Fuel pump will switch ON

The Radios and XPNDR freqs can be interfaced with P3D in the usual way. Nothing special is required there.
Just a few additional functions - like the TCAS Mode etc.

Outputs are assigned in a similar way :
[FSUIPC_OUTPUTS]
OH_FUEL_PUMP_LEFT_FWD=5925
OH_FUEL_PUMP_LEFT_AFT=5926b0

The Server would populate the assigned offset with a 1 or 0 for the annunciator and "your" software would monitor the value and set the light accordingly.
Note : you can assign full offsets or particular bits in the offset to a function."
_________________
Mark Hastings
Software Developer
Sim-Avionics

 

Pete: Mark makes the statement "The Server would populate the assigned offset with a 1 or 0 for the annunciator and "your" software would monitor the value and set the light accordingly.
Note : you can assign full offsets or particular bits in the offset to a function." What software would he be referring to?

Regards,

Step[hen

 

[Pete Dowson]

8 hours ago, 737NGX said:

But if I decide to use, as an example, products from Sim World, Sismo-Soluciones, Open Cockpits, etc., for the hardware peripherals, I need to know that I can get them integrated with no problems.

If your question is "can FSUIPC handle these makes of devices", then my answer is: I don't know. You would need to ask those makers if THEY support FSUIPC offsets for their switches etc, and conversely can read them for their indicators.

I suspect they would all have drivers which interface more to SimConnect, readng the Flight Sim values more directly. But I have no way of knowing. You need to ask them.

In Mark's reply "your software" means either software YOU write yourself to suit YOUR hardware, or the software written for the purpose by the hardware maker. In other words, "it is all possible, and this is how". 

Pete