Wireless setup
The wireless setup is a new way to connect pedals that's simple to configure, requires the fewest cables and can also be the easiest way to connect your pedal(s). All control boards are wireless capable, although gilphilbert's PCBA is the easiest option as it features pedal assignment switches. Wireless connectivity leverages a USB-connected Wireless Controller that provides connectivity to the pedals and provides a Joystick device for Windows, with each pedal represented by different axes.
The parts you will need are simply the pedal(s) and a wireless controller. The wireless controller (or "Bridge") is a small device that plugs into your PC and provides a way for your PC to access the pedals over a wireless connection. The currently supported devices for the wireless controller are
- ESP32-S3-Dev-Kit
- WaveShare ESP32-S3 N8R8 module
- Custom USB dongle with ESP32S3 on board (currently in development)
Wireless is enabled on the Control Board once the pedal has been assigned a function (throttle, brake or clutch)
gilphilbert's control board has built-in hardware switches that set pedal assignment. The switch settings for each mode are printed on the back of the PCB but are also included below for reference. Set the switches to the pedal type you want the pedal to be.
Tip
Hardware assignment does not need to be changed or reapplied after a firmware update
The V3, V4 and SpeedCrafter control boards must have their pedal assignment over the USB connection, and requires a pedal config to be sent to the pedal to enable wireless:
- Connect the pedal via USB and connect from the DIY FFB Pedal Plugin
- In the SimHub plugin, assign the pedal a function (throttle, brake, or clutch)
- Click "Send config to to pedal"
- Click "Reboot pedal" or manually cycle power to the pedal
- Disconnect the USB cable and change the pedal setting in the plugin to "Wireless connection"
Important
When using Software Pedal Assignment, is necessary to reapply the assignment over USB after every firmware update
- Plugin the Wireless Controller (whichever board you selected). For boards with two USB-C ports, make sure to plug both ports into your PC.
- Open the the SimHub DIY FFB Dashboard and enable Advanced Mode in System Tab
- Switch to System tab
- Connect to the COM port of the Wireless Controllaer (should display as a CH3434 Enhanced Serial Device)
- You can have the plugin automatically connect to the Wireless Controller when SimHub starts by enabling the "Auto Connect to Bridge" option
- Make sure you enable "Wireless Sync to Pedal" for each pedal that you have connected. Enabling this option will tell the plugin to connect to the pedal through the Wireless Controller and not directly to the pedal over serial.
The Wireless Controller creates a joystick controller with the following axes:
| Axis | Function |
|---|---|
| Rx | Brake |
| Ry | Clutch |
| Rz | Throttle |
| X | Rudder |
| Y | Rudder left brake |
| Z | Rudder right brake |
The joystick should appear automatically in various simulators, you just need to assign the axes to functions.
The wireless technology used for this feature is ESPNow, a capability of the ESP32 family of processors used in the control boards. You may see errors in the logs if the Wireless Controller isn't working, these are detailed below.
| Error Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 11 | Servo Tunning parameter is updated, restart servo |
| 12 | Servo lost connection |
| 101 | ESPNow config payload type error |
| 102 | ESPNow config version error |
| 103 | ESPNow config CRC error |
| 111 | ESPNow action payload type error |
| 112 | ESPNow action version error |
| 113 | ESPNow action CRC error |
| Color | Connected status |
|---|---|
| White | no Pedal connected |
| Red | Clutch connected |
| Orange | Brake connected |
| Cyan | Clutch and Brake connected |
| Yellow | Throttle connected |
| Blue | Clutch and Throttle connected |
| Green | Brake and Throttle connected |
| Purple | Clutch, Brake and Throttle connected |
| Flashing Red | Bridge in pairing mode |
| Color | Connected status |
|---|---|
| White | no Pedal connected |
| Red | Pedal connected |