Download rc-rs232.zip, Zip file containing images and txt files.

This interface was never designed to be presented as a construction project for RCM&E and so it does not have the usual level of detail or drawing etc.

Here is the info for RC-RS232.ZIP the zip file which contains the following files.

RC-RS232.asm Source code for programming the PIC microcontroller

RC-RS232.eps Encapsulated Postscript file of the circuit diagram

RC-RS232.txt Brief text description of the data format

If anyone does not have any way of getting a PIC microcontroller programmed then drop me an email and I will send details of how to get one from me at a cost of 7.50 UKP including postage and packing to anywhere in the world. But all of the source code is in the file so you don't need to buy one if you can use the source code.

This is a brief description of the operation of the RC-RS232 interface unit, the unit is design to take the buddy box output of PPM mode transmitters from Futaba, JR, Hitec and sanwa and convert this output to an ASCII data string of the format listed below. It will only work with systems which operate over the range 1 - 2mS.

The serial output is at 9600 baud, 8 data bits, No parity and 1 stop bit. The first character will be in the range 241 to 248 decimal, this is made up from 240 + the number of pulses measured. The second character contains the status of 4 push buttons that can be connected to the interface unit. The third to last (max 16) characters contain the values of the control channel pulses. Decimal 100 = 1mS, 200 = 2mS.

To read this data on a PC you will need to read in the serial data and look for a character of greater than 240 decimal, this will be the sync or first charcter in the transmitted data string, next subtract 240 from the decimal value of this character to find the number of remaining data characters. What you then do with the data is up to you.

I would be very interested in any software and uses that anybody finds for this unit as I designed it for use by one of the leading RC simulators on the market but the writter of that sim went his own way in the end after I sent him a prototype, and he now uses a parallel printer port interface. So I was stuck with this unit and no use for it. So feel free to find as many uses for it as you can. I am busy at the moment with development of other projects for the magazine I write for so I will not be able to offer too much help on this project.

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