Projets:Perso:2012:StickArcade

Overview
This project is about making a working, robust but "cheap" arcade stick. The stick is to be plugged in USB to a computer in order to play Mame arcade emulator or other games.

This project is made of 3 parts:
 * Input multiplexing modules : making it possible for a simple arduino or Atmega chip to hold 30+ almost simultaneous inputs from players
 * USB HID Module : The device will create 2 gamepad HID and a keyboard HID on host computer
 * Stick body : mainly wood/metalworking in order to get a sturdy case (the arcade stick has to be strong and durable)

Input Multiplexing
Since I am using an Arduino diecimila, there is not enough I/o pins to manage 30 input buttons. So multiplexing is needed to make it all fit in.

The multiplexing part is designed to be modular.
 * Each board is based on a 74hc165N PISO shift register.
 * Pull up resistors are made with a 8* 9Kohm resistor array but can be replaced by equivalent (or whatever) simple resistors
 * These chips can be daisy chained giving a good opportunity to think about scalability.
 * A module handles 8 inputs and uses 4 wires of the arduino (+ power and ground).

Status : In Progress

The first module has been soldered and tested

Toggling an input on is made by connecting +5v to an input pin.

Connector Board
The connector board is designed to sit on top of the input module, making it easy for buttons to be connected via Faston connectors.
 * This board is powered by the +5v of the bottom board
 * It presents
 * 8 power connectors (faston)
 * 8 labelled input connectors (faston)

CAUTION : Spacing between header pins may not be consistent with the input module. I need to check this

USB HID
Todo

Ressources
| connecting the 74HC165N