Gamepad Controller
 

My team wants to use a Logitech Gamepad as a way of controlling some of our robot's functions, but I am having trouble writing a program to do so. My main problem is I can't find any resource online where I can find out the variable name of the buttons on the controller. I was able to get some operations working by declaring p3_y and p3_x, but I really need to find out the other buttons' names. If anyone knows of any source where I can find this, your help would be greatly appreciated.

Last Week Sleep Deprived FIRST freak,
Mike

You can do it the "fun" way...

Take the sucker apart and see what's inside. Use a multimeter to find what goes where. A gamepad probabaly only uses switches...

Yes, that is the best way. However, it probably will take more time to figure it out then it is worth.

Me and my friend were talking about using the GameCube controller and hooking it up so I can use it. It is ergonomicaly correct and has pressure sensitive buttions (L & R Buttons) It also has two controll sticks.

You might consider writing to Gravis and asking them for a pinout. I did this for some other CH joysticks and got a pretty fast response. Otherwise a multimeter will be the way to go.

As nice of an idea as this sounds, it's not allowed. The AHL says only 15-pin joysticks/gamepads/etc. And the ruling on no USB to 15 pin adaptors would also apply to a GC to 15 pin adaptor, as it would involve custom electronics on the OI side to convert the signal, which is the same reason they're disallowing converteres from USB.

I dont have a good understanding of the OI rules, but couldnt you take apart a gamecube controller and run wires directly to the parts inside? Bypass whatever components convert it into the input the gamecube accepts.

I think so, if you really want to destroy a Game Cube controller. I think there are no restrictions on where you get your buttons and switches from, other then it has to plug into that 15-pin standard joystick port.

I would take out all of the electronics in there except for the buttons, get an old 15-pin cable and cut off one end connector, and replace the original Game Cube connector with it so you can wire it up nicely.

Happy desoldering :D

You should realize that even if a joystick has a 15 pin gameport connector, it may not be workeable, even with re-wiring.

I know the new microsoft gamebads use a serial data stream, and I'd bet that a lot of others do too. I've never seen a game cube controller, but if it is anything like a n64 controller, it wouldn't work either.

Good luck, and hope it works out!

I was contemplating trying to get an old MS Sidewinder Precision Pro to work with the OI, but when I couldn't find any information about the joystick technically, and then when I found out that its input is done in software/drivers, I deserted the idea entirely...

I'd still like to get some sort of modified input for the control system, perhaps going to a store and getting a cheap-o joystick or two is the answer...

Don't go too 'cheap-o' on joysticks (if you can find a choice). I bought some, and found that the resistance did not start at the same value, did not stop at the same value (as the CH). and the composistion of the resistance was so bad that it would change as the OI read the value. The spring-return-to-neutral, didn't, at least, not consistently.

The CH sticks are really quite good !

Even with controllers that do use digital outputs, they (probably) still have to get inputs from buttons or variable resistors, just like the flightsticks. You could just wire directly into those. But, the analog sources may not have the same resistance as the flightsticks, so I dont know if it will work. It would be fun to play with a console controller. I think I will invest in one in the off season.

www.innovationfirst.com
FIRST Robotics
Control System User Manual
Pages 14 through 17 tell which pins are digital or anolog inputs, and the names of the variables in the program that are responsible for storing the data.

The FIRST mailing list fielded a question regarding convertors /and or controller modification. The answer was no convertors are not allowed, and no modifying the controller itself(including building your own connector using the switches). This ruined some plans of mine for the coolest(although completely impractical) controller ever. I may still build it just for fun though. (a hint:think no hands)