DCS BIOS Code for AH64 Help

-CRO- Dr. Death · February 16, 2024

G'day Lads.

Iv been on and off building a panel for the AH64, I have finally reached the point in the project of writing the code for DCS Bios integration.

I have compiled a code which works perfectly which includes - Button inputs (Digital in), potentiometer inputs (Analog in), LED's (PWM Out).

I want to add the function of having the LED brightness on the physical panel match the LED brightness value sourced from DCS Bios for the same panel displayed in DCS.

I have found the only integer which updates on Bort when I change the brightness of the LED's in DCS is the 'Pilot Signal Light (multi color)'.

The integer values for each individual LED only gives a 1 or 0 output, there is no 0 - 65535 value sourced through DCS Bios.

I have tried for multiple hours to incorporate the

"void onPltSignalLChange"

section of code, with a remap to 0 - 255, then update a global integer with that value. I don't understand how to set the brightness of each LED PWM with that new value.

I managed to code it so the Physical LED's would show the correct brightness value sourced from 'Pilot Signal Light (multi color)', but my issue was that all the LED's would light up to that brightness value, despite some of the LED's should have been off completely. All LED's would light up to that value anytime the onchange command for 'Pilot Signal Light (multi color)' as activated. Then when I would update the box with a command to turn an LED on or off, all the LED's would display the correct on/off state, but would all be at max brightness.

I have reverted all the code back to the point just before I started adding the LED Brightness code.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am not familiar enough with the DCS Bios library.

Cheers

Here is my current code.

//  AH64 Left Hand Console
//  Arduino Mega 2560
  
//WIP - Need to write new code for-
//Servo Output/Friction Lever.
//Add LED Brightness sourced from Pilot Signal Light.
//WIP
  
#define DCSBIOS_IRQ_SERIAL
#include <Arduino.h>
#include "DcsBios.h"
#include <Servo.h>
  
unsigned int ledIntensity = 0;  // Initial intensity (0 to 255, where 0 is off and 255 is full brightness).
// Source From .Lua File The LED Brightness Values For All Signal LED's On Panels And Export To Pins.
  
// =========================================================================
//START OF LIGHTING PANEL
//Digital Inputs
  
//External Lights 3 Position Switch.
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltExtlNavLSw("PLT_EXTL_NAV_L_SW", 22, 23);
  
//Anti Colision Lights
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltExtlAcolLSw("PLT_EXTL_ACOL_L_SW", 24, 25);
  
//Lighting Test Button
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltIntlTestBtn("PLT_INTL_TEST_BTN", 26);
  
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
//Analog Inputs
  
//Formation Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltExtlFromationLKnb("PLT_EXTL_FROMATION_L_KNB", A0);
  
//Signal Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltIntlSignalLKnb("PLT_INTL_SIGNAL_L_KNB", A1);
  
//Flood Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltIntlFloodLKnb("PLT_INTL_FLOOD_L_KNB", A2);
  
//Primary Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltIntlPrimaryLKnb("PLT_INTL_PRIMARY_L_KNB", A3);
  
//Standby Instruments Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltIntlStbyinstLKnb("PLT_INTL_STBYINST_L_KNB", A4);
  
//END OF LIGHTING PANEL
  
// =========================================================================
  
//START OF JETTISON PANEL
//Digital Inputs
  
//Left Tip Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreLw("PLT_JETT_STORE_LW", 27);
  
//Left Out Board Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreLo("PLT_JETT_STORE_LO", 28);
  
//Left In Board Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreLi("PLT_JETT_STORE_LI", 29);
  
//Right In Board Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreRi("PLT_JETT_STORE_RI", 30);
  
//Right Out Board Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreRo("PLT_JETT_STORE_RO", 31);
  
//Right Tip Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreRw("PLT_JETT_STORE_RW", 32);
  
//Jettison Launch Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettBtn("PLT_JETT_BTN", 33);
  
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
//LED Outputs
  
//Left Tip 'ARM'
DcsBios::LED pltJettLTipL(0x872a, 0x0100, 2);
  
//Left Out Board 'ARM'
DcsBios::LED pltJettLOutboardL(0x872a, 0x0200, 3);
  
//Left In Board 'ARM'
DcsBios::LED pltJettLInboardL(0x872a, 0x0400, 4);
  
//Right In Board 'ARM'
DcsBios::LED pltJettRInboardL(0x872a, 0x0800, 5);
  
//Right Out Board 'ARM'
DcsBios::LED pltJettROutboardL(0x872a, 0x2000, 6);
  
//Right Tip 'ARM'
DcsBios::LED pltJettRTipL(0x872a, 0x1000, 7);



//END OF JETTISON PANEL
  
// =========================================================================
  
//START OF POWER PANEL
//Analog Inputs
  
//Left Power Lever
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltEngLPwLvr("PLT_ENG_L_PW_LVR", A5);
  
//Right Power Lever
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltEngRPwLvr("PLT_ENG_R_PW_LVR", A6);
  
//Friction Adjust Lever
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltPwLvrFric("PLT_PW_LVR_FRIC", A7);
  
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
//LED Outputs
  
//APU 'APU'
DcsBios::LED pltApuL(0x872c, 0x0002, 8);
  
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
//Digital Inputs
  
//Engine 1 Start 3 Position Switch
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltEng1Start("PLT_ENG1_START", 34, 35);
  
//Engine 2 Start 3 Position Switch
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltEng2Start("PLT_ENG2_START", 36, 37);
  
//APU Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltApuBtn("PLT_APU_BTN", 38);
  
//APU Cover Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltApuBtnCvr("PLT_APU_BTN_CVR", 39);
  
//Rotor Break 3 Position Switch
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltRotorBrk("PLT_ROTOR_BRK", 40, 41);
  
//Battery Dial 3 Position Dial
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltMasterIgnSw("PLT_MASTER_IGN_SW", 42, 43);
  
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------



//END OF POWER PANEL
  
// =========================================================================
  
//START OF EMERGENCY PANEL
//Digital Inputs
  
//'GUARD' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltEmergGuardBtn("PLT_EMERG_GUARD_BTN", 44);
  
//'XPNDR' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltEmergXpndrBtn("PLT_EMERG_XPNDR_BTN", 45);
  
//'ZERO' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltEmergZeroSw("PLT_EMERG_ZERO_SW", 46);
  
//'EM HY' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltEmergHydBtn("PLT_EMERG_HYD_BTN", 47);
  
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
//LED Outputs
  
//'GUARD' Push LED
DcsBios::LED pltEmergGuardL(0x872a, 0x0010, 10);
  
//'XPNDR' Push LED
DcsBios::LED pltEmergXpndrL(0x872a, 0x0020, 11);
  
//'EM HY' Push LED
DcsBios::LED pltEmergHydL(0x872a, 0x0040, 12);
  
//END OF EMERGENCY PANEL
  
// =========================================================================
  
//START OF NVS PANEL
//Digital Inputs
  
//'Tail Wheel' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltTWheelUnlockBtn("PLT_T_WHEEL_UNLOCK_BTN", 48);
  
//'NVS' 3 Position Switch
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltNvsMode("PLT_NVS_MODE", 49, 50);
  
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
//LED Outputs
  
//'Tail Wheel' LED
DcsBios::LED pltTWheelUnlockL(0x872a, 0x0080, 13);
  
//END OF NVS PANEL
  
// =========================================================================
  
void setup() {
  DcsBios::setup();
}
  
void loop() {
  DcsBios::loop();
}

Edited February 18, 2024 by -CRO- Dr. Death

No1sonuk · February 16, 2024

Have you considered using the parts of the code that feed back the individual dimmer control positions and using that?

Though that won't turn lights off unless the dimmer value is 0.

-CRO- Dr. Death · February 17, 2024

G'day No1sonuk.

I think that is what I was trying when I first implemented a code which did successfully dim the LED's. I used 'AH-64D/PLT_SIGNAL_L' integer which seems to be the only value which changes with the LED's in DCS. My problem was that when I would active the call back to the onchange command of the signal potentiometer it would turn all the LED's on regardless of if they should be on or off.

For example, is there a way of injecting a PMW output value into the 'DcsBios::LED pltApuReadyL(0x872a, 0x0001, PIN); line of code?

Like with a normal C++ code its easy to just dim an LED with a simple code like '

		LEDBrightness = 250;
    analogWrite(5, LEDBrightness);
	

Now I cant use the analog read value from the potentiometer as with the AH64 the brightness of the LED's are not directly dictated by just the 'Signal' knob, as in I can have the 'Signal' knob at 20% and it does display all the LED's at the correct 20%, but if you turn the 'Flood' knob higher than 50% then i will turn all LED's to 100% brightness, despite the position of the "Signal' knob. (which is the correct function).

So the only integer value which I can find which follows the rules of the 'Flood' and 'Signal' functions is the "AH-64D/PLT_SIGNAL_L" (Pilot Signal Light (multi color))'. Which I can read the integer value received through DCS Bios, but I don't understand how to control the brightness of the LED's with that value. I can control the brightness by adding the for example :analogWrite(5, LEDBrightness); (which I would add after the "void onPltSignalLChange(unsigned int newValue) {", then with a remap from 0-255) which will dim the LED's, but it will not then follow the rules of if that LED should be in a on or off state.

On a side note, I have no idea why the code I posted in the first post is so spaced out. Is there a better way of posting the code as that is super hard to read?

Cheers

Edited February 18, 2024 by -CRO- Dr. Death

No1sonuk · February 17, 2024

I don't have the AH-64, so I'm not 100% sure what you need.

However, this might be what you need:

//  Put these with your global variables
int LEDBrightness = 255;
const int LEDpin = 5;  // Or whatever PWM-capable pin number you want

//  This goes with your DCS-BIOS code lines
void onPltSignalLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    LEDBrightness = map(newValue, 0, 65535, 0, 255);
    analgWrite (LEDpin, LEDBrightness);
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltSignalLBuffer(0x8734, 0xffff, 0, onPltSignalLChange);

BTW, to insert code like that, press the <> symbol in the controls between " and the smiley.

-CRO- Dr. Death · February 18, 2024

Ok so with that code it will control the brightness of the LED's, but I need to analogWrite to all the LED's which need to be dimmed, and they will all light up to that brightness despite if they should be in an off state.

I'm trying to implement something like this:

int StateOutR = 0;

int LEDBrightness = 255;

const int LEDOutR = 6;



void onPltSignalLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    LEDBrightness = map(newValue, 0, 65535, 0, 255);

}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltSignalLBuffer(0x8734, 0xffff, 0, onPltSignalLChange); 


//Right Out Board 'ARM'
DcsBios::LED pltJettROutboardL(0x872a, 0x2000, StateOutR);



void setup() {
  DcsBios::setup();
 pinMode(6, OUTPUT);
}

 void loop() { 

   if (StateOutR == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDOutR, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDOutR, 0); 
     }
   
  DcsBios::loop();
}

Obviously the code above is extremely cut down to the relevant lines of code.

So what I'm now trying to do is source the brightness value through 'PltSignalBuffer' and remapping to a variable called 'LEDBrightness'.

Then sourcing if the on/off state of the ' Right Out Board' LED should be on or off and assigning a variable called 'StateOutR' with a 0 or 1 depending. (One thing I'm not sure of is can I replace the (PIN) part of the

DcsBios::LED pltJettROutboardL(0x872a, 0x2000, StateOutR);

with a variable integer (StateOutR) or does it have to export that to a PIN?)

Then in the Void Setup I'm assigning Pin 6 to an Analog output.

Then in Void Loop I'm asking for it to check if 'StateOutR' is a 0 or 1 (If the led should be on or off in DCS).

If 'StateOutR' is 1, then set analog pin 6 to the value LEDBrightness is set to.

If 'StateOutR' is 0, then set analog pin 6 to 0.

I cant see any problem with this but currently the LED wont light up at all. My theory is I cant export the 0 or 1 state to a variable, maybe it must be a PIN.

Edited February 18, 2024 by -CRO- Dr. Death

No1sonuk · February 18, 2024

Ah. OK.
What you need to do is make the light control a separate function that uses the brightness and enable global variables, and is called every time one of them changes.
Don't put the light control in the main loop - it doesn't need to run every loop, only when one of the variables changes.

Try this:

int StateOutR = 0;

int LEDBrightness = 255;

const int LEDOutR = 6;


// This sets the LEDBrightness variable based on the value of PltSignalL (0-65535)
void onPltSignalLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    LEDBrightness = map(newValue, 0, 65535, 0, 255);
    lightControl();   // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltSignalLBuffer(0x8734, 0xffff, 0, onPltSignalLChange); 


//Right Out Board 'ARM'
// This sets the StateOutR variable based on the value of PltJettROutboardL (0-1)
void onPltJettROutboardLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateOutR = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltJettROutboardLBuffer(0x872a, 0x2000, 13, onPltJettROutboardLChange);

void setup() {
  DcsBios::setup();
 pinMode(LEDOutR, OUTPUT);
}

 void loop() { 

  DcsBios::loop();

} 

void lightControl() {                //  This controls the light based on the variable values
   if (StateOutR == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDOutR, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDOutR, 0); 
     }
}

Edited February 18, 2024 by No1sonuk

Vinc_Vega · February 18, 2024

It's exactly the the kind of answer I already had in the pipeline. Using global variables and one function to update all LEDs out of the loop. That way the brightness affects LEDs, even if their status has not changed.

Ensure that you only use PWM capable pins as output, but a Mega should have enough of them.

Regards, Vinc

Edited February 18, 2024 by Vinc_Vega

-CRO- Dr. Death · February 18, 2024

You Sir are an absolute genius. Thank you so much, I have literally spent like 5 hours trying to work this out. I owe you a beer.

Here is my final code with all LED's working correctly if your interested:

//  AH64 Left Hand Power Console
//  Special Thanks to No1sonuk
//  Arduino Mega 2560
//  18/02/2024

/*
WIP - Need to write new code for-
Servo Output/Friction Lever. Servo pin=D9
Add LED Brightness sourced from Pilot Signal Light.
WIP - 
*/

#define DCSBIOS_IRQ_SERIAL
#include <Arduino.h>
#include "DcsBios.h"
#include <Servo.h>

//These int's are the 0 or 1 results called from the current state of the related LED.
int StateTipL = 0;
int StateOutL = 0;
int StateInL = 0;
int StateInR = 0;
int StateOutR = 0;
int StateTipR = 0;
int StateAPU = 0;
int StateGuard = 0;
int StateXPND = 0;
int StateEmHy = 0;
int StateTail = 0;


int LEDBrightness = 255;
//LED Pins Assigned
const int LEDTipL = 2;
const int LEDOutL = 3;
const int LEDInL = 4;
const int LEDInR = 5;
const int LEDOutR = 6;
const int LEDTipR = 7;
const int LEDAPU = 8;
const int LEDGuard = 10;
const int LEDXPND = 11;
const int LEDEmHy = 12;
const int LEDTail = 13;

// Source From .Lua File The LED Brightness Values For All Signal LED's On Panels And Export To Pins.
void onPltSignalLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    LEDBrightness = map(newValue, 0, 65535, 0, 255);
       lightControl();   // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltSignalLBuffer(0x8734, 0xffff, 0, onPltSignalLChange); 

// =========================================================================
//START OF LIGHTING PANEL
//Digital Inputs

//External Lights 3 Position Switch.
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltExtlNavLSw("PLT_EXTL_NAV_L_SW", 22, 23);

//Anti Colision Lights
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltExtlAcolLSw("PLT_EXTL_ACOL_L_SW", 24, 25);

//Lighting Test Button
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltIntlTestBtn("PLT_INTL_TEST_BTN", 26);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

//Analog Inputs

//Formation Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltExtlFromationLKnb("PLT_EXTL_FROMATION_L_KNB", A0);

//Signal Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltIntlSignalLKnb("PLT_INTL_SIGNAL_L_KNB", A1);

//Flood Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltIntlFloodLKnb("PLT_INTL_FLOOD_L_KNB", A2);

//Primary Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltIntlPrimaryLKnb("PLT_INTL_PRIMARY_L_KNB", A3);

//Standby Instruments Lights Knob
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltIntlStbyinstLKnb("PLT_INTL_STBYINST_L_KNB", A4);


//END OF LIGHTING PANEL

// =========================================================================
//START OF JETTISON PANEL
//Digital Inputs

//Left Tip Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreLw("PLT_JETT_STORE_LW", 27);

//Left Out Board Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreLo("PLT_JETT_STORE_LO", 28);

//Left In Board Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreLi("PLT_JETT_STORE_LI", 29);

//Right In Board Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreRi("PLT_JETT_STORE_RI", 30);

//Right Out Board Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreRo("PLT_JETT_STORE_RO", 31);

//Right Tip Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettStoreRw("PLT_JETT_STORE_RW", 32);

//Jettison Launch Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltJettBtn("PLT_JETT_BTN", 33);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

//LED Outputs

//Left Tip 'ARM'
void onPltJettLTipLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateTipL = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltJettLTipLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0100, 8, onPltJettLTipLChange);


//Left Out Board 'ARM'
void onPltJettLOutboardLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateOutL = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed 
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltJettLOutboardLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0200, 9, onPltJettLOutboardLChange);


//Left In Board 'ARM'
void onPltJettLInboardLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateInL = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed 
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltJettLInboardLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0400, 10, onPltJettLInboardLChange);


//Right In Board 'ARM'
void onPltJettRInboardLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateInR = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltJettRInboardLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0800, 11, onPltJettRInboardLChange);


//Right Out Board 'ARM'
// This sets the StateOutR variable based on the value of PltJettROutboardL (0-1)
void onPltJettROutboardLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateOutR = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltJettROutboardLBuffer(0x872a, 0x2000, 13, onPltJettROutboardLChange);


//Right Tip 'ARM'
void onPltJettRTipLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateTipR = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltJettRTipLBuffer(0x872a, 0x1000, 12, onPltJettRTipLChange);


//END OF JETTISON PANEL

// =========================================================================
//START OF POWER PANEL
//Analog Inputs

//Left Power Lever
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltEngLPwLvr("PLT_ENG_L_PW_LVR", A5);

//Right Power Lever
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltEngRPwLvr("PLT_ENG_R_PW_LVR", A6);

//Friction Adjust Lever
DcsBios::Potentiometer pltPwLvrFric("PLT_PW_LVR_FRIC", A7);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

//LED Outputs

//APU 'APU'
void onPltApuReadyLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateAPU = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltApuReadyLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0001, 0, onPltApuReadyLChange);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

//Digital Inputs

//Engine 1 Start 3 Position Switch
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltEng1Start("PLT_ENG1_START", 34, 35);

//Engine 2 Start 3 Position Switch
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltEng2Start("PLT_ENG2_START", 36, 37);

//APU Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltApuBtn("PLT_APU_BTN", 38);

//APU Cover Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltApuBtnCvr("PLT_APU_BTN_CVR", 39);

//Rotor Break 3 Position Switch
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltRotorBrk("PLT_ROTOR_BRK", 40, 41);

//Battery Dial 3 Position Dial
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltMasterIgnSw("PLT_MASTER_IGN_SW", 42, 43);


//END OF POWER PANEL

// =========================================================================
//START OF EMERGENCY PANEL
//Digital Inputs

//'GUARD' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltEmergGuardBtn("PLT_EMERG_GUARD_BTN", 44);

//'XPNDR' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltEmergXpndrBtn("PLT_EMERG_XPNDR_BTN", 45);

//'ZERO' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltEmergZeroSw("PLT_EMERG_ZERO_SW", 46);

//'EM HY' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltEmergHydBtn("PLT_EMERG_HYD_BTN", 47);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

//LED Outputs

//'GUARD' Push LED
void onPltEmergGuardLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateGuard = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltEmergGuardLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0010, 4, onPltEmergGuardLChange);


//'XPNDR' Push LED
void onPltEmergXpndrLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateXPND = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltEmergXpndrLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0020, 5, onPltEmergXpndrLChange);


//'EM HY' Push LED
void onPltEmergHydLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateEmHy = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltEmergHydLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0040, 6, onPltEmergHydLChange);


//END OF EMERGENCY PANEL

// =========================================================================
//START OF NVS PANEL
//Digital Inputs

//'Tail Wheel' Push
DcsBios::Switch2Pos pltTWheelUnlockBtn("PLT_T_WHEEL_UNLOCK_BTN", 48);

//'NVS' 3 Position Switch
DcsBios::Switch3Pos pltNvsMode("PLT_NVS_MODE", 49, 50);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------

//LED Outputs

//'Tail Wheel' LED
void onPltTWheelUnlockLChange(unsigned int newValue) {
    StateTail = newValue;
    lightControl();    // Call the light control because a variable changed
}
DcsBios::IntegerBuffer pltTWheelUnlockLBuffer(0x872a, 0x0080, 7, onPltTWheelUnlockLChange);


//END OF NVS PANEL

// =========================================================================

void setup() {
  DcsBios::setup();
  pinMode(LEDTipL, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDOutL, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDInL, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDInR, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDOutR, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDTipR, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDAPU, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDGuard, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDXPND, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDEmHy, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LEDTail, OUTPUT);
}

 void loop() { 
  DcsBios::loop();
} 
//                             This controls the light based on the variable values
void lightControl() {  

//Left Tip 'Arm'              
   if (StateTipL == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDTipL, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDTipL, 0); 
     }

//Left Out 'Arm'
   if (StateOutL == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDOutL, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDOutL, 0); 
     }

//Left In 'Arm'
   if (StateInL == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDInL, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDInL, 0); 
     }

//Right In 'Arm'
   if (StateInR == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDInR, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDInR, 0); 
     }

//Right Out 'Arm'
   if (StateOutR == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDOutR, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDOutR, 0); 
     }

//Right Tip 'Arm'
   if (StateTipR == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDTipR, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDTipR, 0); 
     }

//'APU'
   if (StateAPU == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDAPU, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDAPU, 0); 
     }

//'Guard'
   if (StateGuard == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDGuard, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDGuard, 0); 
     }

//'XPND'
   if (StateXPND == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDXPND, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDXPND, 0); 
     }

//'Emergency Hydrolics'
   if (StateEmHy == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDEmHy, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDEmHy, 0); 
     }

//'Tail' Wheel
   if (StateTail == 1) {
    analogWrite (LEDTail, LEDBrightness);
   }
    else {
    analogWrite (LEDTail, 0); 
     }
}

Thanks again No1sonuk.

-CRO- Dr. Death · February 18, 2024

Thanks for your input as well Vinc_Vega.

Yeah mate I'm using PMW pins. Mega is a monster board, perfect for this application. I could probably even run future panels back to this board. I'm running out of PWM pins, but have plenty of Analog and Digital pins left

Cheers

Edited February 18, 2024 by -CRO- Dr. Death

Vinc_Vega · February 18, 2024

There may be no noticeable effect for the brightness curve of your LEDs, let's say between 255 and 190 and below 40 or so.

It's not easy to adjust that non-linear mapping. One way to do so is to use the multimap function. Here is a link to the respective library and documentation:

https://github.com/RobTillaart/MultiMap

Regards, Vinc

No1sonuk · February 18, 2024

7 hours ago, -CRO- Dr. Death said:

You Sir are an absolute genius. Thank you so much, I have literally spent like 5 hours trying to work this out. I owe you a beer.

Thanks again No1sonuk.

NP

6 hours ago, Vinc_Vega said:

There may be no noticeable effect for the brightness curve of your LEDs, let's say between 255 and 190 and below 40 or so.

It's not easy to adjust that non-linear mapping. One way to do so is to use the multimap function. Here is a link to the respective library and documentation:

https://github.com/RobTillaart/MultiMap

Regards, Vinc

Ooh. That would help with things like the P51 ASI that has a non-linear scale on the gauge, but a linear value output from DCS.

Vinc_Vega · February 18, 2024

Yes, and with the radar altimeter of the MiG-21

Regards, Vinc

Vinc_Vega · February 19, 2024

17 hours ago, -CRO- Dr. Death said:

...

I'm running out of PWM pins, but have plenty of Analog and Digital pins left

...

Another possibility is using LED driver chips, like the Max7219. They have built-in intensity logic, that may be controlled (dimmed) by your code. Advantages are also that LEDs would be external powered, so you don't have to care the pin current limit, or you may use a LED matrix to maximise the output count for boards like Nano or Uno.

Regards, Vinc

Edited February 19, 2024 by Vinc_Vega

-CRO- Dr. Death · February 19, 2024

1 hour ago, Vinc_Vega said:

Another possibility is using LED driver chips, like the Max7219. They have built-in intensity logic, that may be controlled (dimmed) by your code. Advantages are also that LEDs would be external powered, so you don't have to care the pin current limit, or you may use a LED matrix to maximise the output count for boards like Nano or Uno.

Regards, Vinc

Yeah there are a few things I could do to cut down on the pins used, (button matrix, LED array, even rotary switch as an analog input). but I'm building this thing to be modular system, so redundant pins will be expected.

One question I have about DCS Bios is; in a lot of the tutorial videos on youtube, they pretty much all use the 'connect-serial-port.cmd' program to hook up the panel to DCS. But mine connects fine through DCS Bios which starts up automatically and connects automatically. So what is the point of the 'connect-serial-port.cmd' program?

Vinc_Vega · February 19, 2024

Automatically connection is only possible with the outdated Hub version. The more recent FP version of DcsBios connects by the mentioned program/ script.

Regards, Vinc

No1sonuk · February 19, 2024

I'm surprised Hub works at all with the AH-64.

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