Digital Pot, DAC or ??? - to replace 2 axis inductive joystick

W9GFO

I am still trying to get my wheel chair controller to work. Decoding the serial stream didn't work out so now I am looking to replace the pots. However, the two axis pot really isn't a pot, it is a non contact inductive joystick. Look here for the patent if you're interested.

The joystick has the following wires;

Black = ground
Red = 11.78 volts (supply)
Green = 5.88 volts
Blue = 4.72v/5.76v/7.05v (left, center, right on the x axis)
Yellow = 4.62v/5.85v/7.03v (back, center, fwd on the y axis)

From what I have read about similar joysticks, the green wire is probably to indicate that the joystick is functioning properly.

What would be the best way to replicate these signals?

Thanks,

Rich H

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The Servo Boss, a 12 channel servo tester kit from Gadget Gangster.

Post Edited (W9GFO) : 9/21/2009 6:16:43 AM GMT

Agent420

I'm not familiar with your project, but I might lean towards an external dac chip...· they're not that expensive and it seems that either way you're going to require some external parts to control voltages higher than the Prop vcc (can't do direct pwm, and it could be the related joystick interfacing may be sensitive to pwm frequencies).

We have some industrial equipment here that uses similar joysticks, their non-mechanical nature makes them more reliable for heavy use.· Some linear position sensors also work in the same manner.

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