BU0836X 12-bit joystick interface

USB joystick interface with simple push in wire connectors for buttons, potentiometers, sensors, rotary encoders and switches. High resolution inputs are protected from interference and static discharge damage.

Build your own unique gaming device - button box, pedals, joystick, flight control panel, throttle quadrant or robot controller.

Also suitable for converting outdated gaming device or real-life controls into USB device suitable for use with almost any simulator or game without installing any drivers on Windows, Linux or Mac.

Specifications

Connecting to a computer

Standard USB type B connector allows easy connection to a Windows or Linux PC or a Mac. No drivers are required. Plug it in and use straight away.

Ready for use product. Does not need any programing.

Natively supported by Windows 11/10/8/7/Vista/XP/2000, 32 and 64-bit, Linux, and macOS. Works on Android devices via USB connection. No drivers: just plug it in and it's ready to go.

Unique serial number helps Windows remember settings. Have you ever unplugged a joystick and had Windows lose its calibration settings? Windows keeps BU0836X settings even if you plug it into a different USB port or swap two BU0836X cables.
You can use several BU0836X interfaces at the same time.

Analog inputs filtering. Digital processing removes noise from position reports while preserving extremely fast response.

Powered by USB (+5V / 100mA). No external power supply is needed.

Full-speed 12Mbit USB connection.

Compatible with any game that can detect and use generic joysticks. Works with flight simulators, racing simulators, driving games.

Designed and made in the UK.

	Operating Instructions

Push-in terminals for all connections - No soldering or screw driving. Push in wires to connect. Press tab and pull out to disconnect.

32 independent digital inputs for buttons and switches - No matrix, no diodes and no daisy-chaining. Each input has its own two terminals for GND and button input(GND can also be shared between inputs if necessary)

Support for up to 16 rotary encoders - A pair of digital inputs can be connected to a rotary encoder. All main types supported (1, 2 and 4 pulses per detent. Check the datasheet of your encoder to find out which type you have). Once connected, download our encoder software in the product downloads tab and set the pair of inputs to the encoder mode you require. Always use odd number for the first input, i.e. 1-2, 3-4 etc.

8 analog inputs with true 12-bit resolution and independent wiring

You must only connect potentiometers with the USB cable unplugged from the device.

4096 steps of resolution.
To support true 12-bit performance each analog inputs has independent set of +5v and GND terminals, oversampling and sophisticated signal filtering.

8-direction POV hat switch. - Connect a hat switch like ours - (click here) to these inputs or make your own by connecting any four buttons of your choice. Diagonal directions are made by pressing two directions together ie, UP and LEFT = NW

Can I be turned into keyboard or other device? - Mapping button presses or potentiometers to other functions such as mouse/keyboard or hat switch controls can be done emulated using third party software such as Joy2Key. Look in the downloads tab for alternative software solutions.

Check data sheet of component you wish to connect for the correct pin out - The PCB is labelled clearly to show where each pin from your component should connect.

Once you have connected everything you need - Connect to a PC or Mac using a standard USB A to B cable and the device will be recognised as a generic game device named - BU0836X. You can then either calibrate or assign your controls using your chosen game or software as you would with any other game controller. That's it!

Construction tips

What to do with unused inputs?
Unconnected buttons will appear as not pressed - just ignore them
Unused analog inputs are automatically disabled. They will appear as soon pots are connected and BU0836X is powered up. In other words, if they are not connected - you will not see them.

Which pots are the best?
Any value from 1kOhm to 100kOhm will work fine. If you don't know where to start, get 10kOhm ones
Use linear pots (taper B.) Avoid non-linear, log pots with tapers A, D or Y used in audio level controls
Any pot would work but the best ones are industrial quality Spectrol (Vishay) and Bourns. They have life expectancy of few million shaft revolutions.
Good wiring helps. For ultimately clean signal use shielded wires and ground the pot's case if it's metal
Try to use as much of pot travel range as possible.

Standard Firmware for V2 boards ( shipped after August 2016 )

Standard Firmware for V1 boards ( shipped before August 2016 )

Renaming Firmware - BU0836X_1 to BU0836X_15, plus BU0836X Stick and BU0836X Pedals.

Encoder Configuration Software

LED on Button Press Wiring Diagram

Wiring two potentiometers to one output. ( For rudder pedals etc )

PCB Template in .dxf format

DIView.exe - For Accurate Calibration

Recommended Third Party Software

Keyboard and Mouse Emulation / Scripting Software

SVMapper

Joy2Key

AutoHotKey

GlovePie

Also search for:

FSUIPC if you use Microsoft Flight Simulator