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SUPER Rotary Encoder Board  
(Model #2090) 

  Updated 07/18/2008

   

 Best Viewed at 1024 by 768 Resolution


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Thank you for your purchase of our Model 2090 SUPER Encoder Board.
 
If you have any comments or need additional information on the use of the
SUPER Encoder Board, please write us at:
 
 
Since we introduced the 2090 a few weeks ago, I received many emails asking for a simple; less complicated installation. So, as of
today, below is a less complicated explanation on the Installation and use of our SUPER Rotary Encoder Board.

 
INSTALLATION
 
Installing the SUPER Encoder Board requires very little time. All you need is an unused USB Port. Additional Ports can be added to your computer by using a device called a USB Hub. These Hubs can be purchased for as little as $20.00 in the Internet.
 
Just plug a USB Cable Series "B" into the jack on the 2090, then into the USB Port on your computer. The computer will sense the Adapter and load the required software for its proper operation. The 2090 will be sensed as "DTA Rotary Encoder". That's all there is to the installation.
 
To verify that you computer has accepted the Interface, you can goto the "Game Controller" window. To do this, just click on "START" (located in the lower left hand corner of the computer's monitor); then click on "Control Panel"; then "Game Controller". Your computer should display the following:
 
 
Highlight "DTA Rotary Encoder" then click "Properties"
 
 
TABLE 1
 
The Properties Window indicates that there are are 32 available switch locations, this is a mis-conception. There are only 20 Buttons that can be used with your designs. The First 12 Digital Switches are RESERVED for use with the Rotary Switches.
 
 
Downloading the Utility Driver for the 2090 Super Encoder Board
 
For the proper operation on the Encoder Board, you need to Download the Encoder Utility Program. This program allows you to adjust "Pulse Timing" and "Pluse Width" on each of the 6 Available Rotary Switches on the 2090 board. The program will also allow you to connect a number of Rotary Encoder Boards to the USB Port of same computer while allowing you to keep track on timing pusles on each and every Rotary Switch available on your system.

To the left is a photo of the Encoder Utility Program showing suggested settings for the first six Rotary Switches. 

Please note that the Utility Program shows 16 available Rotary Switches, these aditional settings is for future expansion and is not available on the 2090 Board. Also take note that if you install 6 Rotary Encoders to the board, there NO Digital Switch inputs available. All available pins have been reserved for the Rotary Encoders. But if you require a Push Button installed with your panel design; use a maxinum of 5 Rotary Encoders. This arrangement will allow you to include 2 Push Buttons.

To Download this FREE program; click HERE

The number pair to the right of each setting shows the "Control Panel" RED dot that will be lite when the Rotary Switch is turned. Example: With the Rotary Switch connected to the 2090 Board at Position #1, turning the knob to the LEFT will light-up the #1 RED Button (quick pulse) as seen on the "Control Panel" window. Turn the Rotary Switch to the RIGHT, the #2 RED Button will light with a short pulse. If connected to Position #4, the Turning the Rotary Dial to the LEFT then to the RIGHT will light (again a pulse) the RED #7 and then the RED #8. You get the idea.

On the top he Utility Program window, you will notice "Serial Number". Here you can set the timing and pulse duration for a number of 2090 Boards connected to your computer. This Serial Number will change when additional boards are added. Just select the Board you wish to program via its Serial Number, then set the timing pulse for the sugested 1:4 and Pulse width to 88 ms.

"SIMPLE" Wiring Your Model 2090 Super Encoder Board

The 2090 was designed to provide three vital functions to any Flight Simmers Avionics Panel; they are Rotary Encoder Switches; Analog inputs from slide or rotary potentiometers and Digital inputs for 20 Push Buttons.

To make the interfacing of your Rotary Switches, Slide Controls and Push Buttons as painless as possible, we have included fourteen 3 and two 6 pin Female Connectors. Just solder the wires (as shown below) from your switches to the connectors and place them on the 2090.

What could be easier?
 
 
 

 
Wiring the Rotary Switches
 
 

To connect the Rotary Switches to the 2090, all you need do it to solder 3 wires from the switch to one of the 3 pin female connectors provided with your purchase.

The length of these wires can be up to 15 inches long. Any longer, you run the risk of introducing noise into the board.
 
Using the schematic to the left, you can wire up to 6 Rotary Switches in this manner. The two additional terminals on the Rotary Switch are the contacts connected to a normally open spring return switch. These two contacts can be wired to the Digital Switch Matrix (see below) so when the Rotary Switch is PUSHED, the internal switch is closed for as long as you keep pressure on the shaft. This switch closure can then be programmed using FSUIPC to preform a needed function for your Avionics Panel.
 
Not all Rotary Switches come with a n/o switch but the switches we are making available to you have this unique feature.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 Wiring the LINEAR Potentiometers

 
 



So you want to design a Throttle Quadrant? Well, you came to the right place. You can make your own Throttle by starting with the purchase of a 100K Ohm Potentiometer, Make sure ist is a LINEAR type. Audio taper will not work properly. Luckly, Desktop Aviator has the Linear Potentiometers available HERE.
 
To the left is a 100K Ohm Linear Potentiometer with a short shaft (0.5in). Wiring of this pot is the same as the Rotary Switch seen above. This time, you can wire up to 8 potentiometers for one 2090 Board.






 
Wiring the 1090 Slide Assemblies
 
 
If you purchased the 2090 with the optional Cessna Style Push/Pull Slide Assembly; read on. Just like wiring the 100K Ohm Potentiometers as seen above, wiring the Model 1090 Slide Assemblies is just as easy.
 
To the left is the schematic on soldering the 3 wires from the slide to the 3 terminal connector.
 
Terminal #1 from the Slide is soldered to the Right terminal on the connector; Terminal #2 from the Slide is soldered to the Center terminal of the connector; Terminal #3 from the Slide is soldered to the Left terminal of the connector.
 
Note that the 1090 Slide has TWO #2 terminals. This just means that these 2 terminals are connected internally. Use the #2 terminal that is the closest to the Slide's Mounting Hub.
 
If you plan on designing a Throttle Quadrant for the Cessna 172, you will need 2 of these Slide Assemblies. One for the "Throttle" and the second for "Fuel Mix". For the Skylane, you would need three; One for "Throttle", the second for "Prop Pitch" and the third for "Fuel Mix".
 
If you wish to purchase additional 1090 Slide Assemblies, you can goto:
 

 
If you wish, you can purchase your own 100K Ohm Slide Potentiometer.
 
Just make sure it is a "LINEAR TYPE"; Audio Taper will not operate correctly.



Switch Assignments for the Model 2090
 
For the "Simplified" installation, you can take up to 6 Rotary Encoders; (wired as shown above). Connect them to the 2090 board using the 3 pin male connectors. But if you install 6 Rotary Encoders, you have NO Available inputs for Push Button Switches. So if you need a push button switch in your design, add only 5 Rotary encoders. With 5 Encoders connected, you will have 2 available Push Buttons.
 
Likewise, if you install 4 Encoders; you will have 4 available slots for Push Buttons
Install 3 Encoders; you will have 6 available slots for Push Buttons.
Install 2 Encoders; you will have 8 available slots for Push Buttons.
Install 1 Encoder; you will have 10 available slots for Push Buttons.
 
Each Rotary Encoder requires 2 switch inputs to the computer. One switch pulsing when the Encoder is turned to the LEFT and a second switch when the Encoder is turned to the RIGHT. In the "Simple" wiring arrangement; there are 12 available switches, thus if each Encoder requires two switches and only 12 are available, you are allowed to connect 6 Rotary Encoders to the 2090 board.
 
Using less Encoders, frees up more inputs for use with Push or even Toggle Switches.
 
 

 
What Do I Do With All This Wire?
 
I'm glad you asked. Below is a photo of the 2090 Board that answers that perplexing question.

The "RED" oval shows where the 6 Rotary Switches can to be placed. Note the 3 Male Connectors in each row (left to right). This is where you will place the 3 terminal Female Connector. The one you just soldered the wires to.
 
The "Yellow" oval shows where you connect the available inputs to your Push Button (or Toggle) switches to the 2090 using the 6 Pin Female Connectors. This section is divided into 2 Male Terminal Posts. The left containes the row component and the right side is the column. ROW 1, Row 2, Row 3, ROW 4, ROW 5 and ROW 6 correspond to the vertical components of the switch matrix (see above). COLUMN 1, COLUMN 2, COLUMN 3, COLUMN 4, COLUMN 5 and COLUMN 6 corresponds to the horizontal components of the switch matrix.  Using the two 6 Terminal Female Connectors, solder the wires from your switch to the connectors and then place them into the corresponding "ROW" / "COLUMN" Male connections.
 
The "GREEN" pval shows where you will insert the 3 pin connectors soldered to your Potentiometers. As with the Rotary Switchs, the Potentiometers are inserted horizontally.
 
The "BLUE" circle shows 5 pair of male connectors. At the present time, these terminals are not used. They are for future expansion.
 
Below are two TABLES showing the Designations for the Analog / Rotary Inputs and the Digital Matrix.
 
Lets start with the Analog Input TABLE. When the 2090 is connected to your computer and viewed on the "Control Panel" , you will see the window shown above (See Table 1). From this Table, you can see that the 8 Analog Inputs have names. X/Y, Z Axis, Y Rotation ect.
The X/Y Axis is usually associated with adding a Joystick. Joysticks can be purchased over the Internet for a few dollars and this is where it is connected to the 2090 Board (X Axis - Position #1 & Y Axis - Position #4). But you may ask; Where is Position #1? From the photo seen above; the #1 Positions for the three functions is indicated by the "Orange" horizontal Bar.
 
Say you want to use the "Y Rotation Axis" for one of your Slide Assemblies (any position can be used). Just place the 3 terminal connector (horizontally) into Position #7. Fuel Mix can be connected to Position #8 (Z Rotation Axis) and so on.
 
Rotary Switches are the same as the Analog Inputs. Again, refer to TABLE 1. This time focus your attention on the 32 RED Buttons. These Buttons indicate the available 32 Digital Switches of the MATRIX. The first 12 buttons are used for the Rotary Switches and/or Push Button. Say you place the 3 terminal connector from one of your Rotary Switches and place it Horizontally into Position #1 (Rotary Input Side "RED Circle"). When connected to your computer's USB Port and the computer showing the the Control Panel (As seen in TABLE 1), turn the Rotary Switch to the left and then the right. The RED Buttons #3 and #4 will begin to flash as you turn the switch. Now place a Rotary Switch into Position #4. When turned, left then right, the RED Buttons #11 and #12 will flash. If you see erratic behaviour when turning the Switch make sure you have the Rotary Switch UTILITY Programming running and properly set for the 6 Rotary Switches (see above)
 

Analog Input Designations  (Green)    

Rotary Switch Input Designations (Red)

 
Position #1 (Top) X Axis Position #1 (Top) Red Button #3 - #4
Position #2 Dial Axis Position #2 Red Button #5 - #6
Position #3 Slide Axis Position #3 Red Button #1 - #2
Position #4 Y Axis Position #4 Red Button #11 - #12
Position #5 Z Axis Position #5 Red Button #7 - #8
Position #6 X Rotation Axis Position #6 (Bottom) Red Button #9 - #10
Position #7 Y Rotation Axis

* * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * *

Position #8 (Bottom) Z Rotation Axis

* * * * * * * *

* * * * * * * *

 

Digital Switch Designations (Yellow)

Rotary Encoder

2090 Location

Control Panel

*Available Switch Assignments

NO Encoder

No Connection

No Lights

Column 1,2,3,4,5,6
Row 1,2,3,4,5,6

Encoder #1

Position #3

Red Button #1 - #2

Column 3,4,5,6
Row 1,2,3,4,5,6

Encoder #2

Position #1

Red Button #3 - #4

Column 5,6
Row 1,2,3,4,5,6

Encoder #3

Position #2

Red Buttons #5 - #6

Row 1,2,3,4,5,6

Encoder #4

Position #5

Red Button #7 - #8

Row 3,4,5,6

Encoder #5

Position #6

Red Buttons #9 - #10

Row 5,6

Encoder #6

Position #4

Red Button #11 - #12

NONE

* To make use of the Available Switch Assignments, just short the indicated ROW or Column pin to GROUND. Example: Say you have one Encoder connected to the 2090 board at Position #1, you have 10 Available Switch Assignments. Just short the pin from Column 3 to GROUND through a Push Button Switch. You can also short Column 4,5,6 and Row 1,2,3,4,5,6. Say you have 5 encoders connected to Positions 1,2,3,4,5 on the 2090 board. Now the available switch assignments are only 2; Row 5 and Row 6. Now you have only 2 available switch assignments. And so On!

The Panasonic Rotary Encoders available from Desktop Aviator have an internal Normally Open that can be used for this purpose. Just solder one side of the two available terminals, to GROUND and the other side to the appropriate Column/Row matrix.

NOTE: If you have only one Encoder in Position #1, you need to set the Utility Program to "OFF" for 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12. Likewise; if you are using 2, 3, or 4 Encoders, the setting for ALL UNUSED encoders MUST BE SET TO "OFF". If not, you will be loosing the available "Switch Assignments" associated with that setting.


 Adding Toggle Switches

Seeing that all you need do to activate one of the available Digital inputs it to Ground a Column/Row terminal, the "Pluse Generator" circuit from our Model 2040 can be used. Just solder the 1N4148 Diode to one of the available Digital inputs and the Common Ground. The circuit will generate a ground pulse for about 1/4 second, thus turning "ON" the "Red Button" seen on the "Control Panel".

NOTE: A H11AA1 IC can also be used in place of the H11AA2 without any problems.

 


 
Building a NAV/COM Radio with the 2090
 
Now that we know how to wire-up some Rotary Encoders, lets build a NAV/COM Radio. To build the Radio, you need the following:
 
1 - 2090 SUPER Rotary Encoder Board w/USB Cable
4 - Rotary Encoder Switches
2 - Push Buttons
1 - 2090 UTILITY Program (See Above)
 
Wire four Rotary Encoders as seen above. Take two Spring Return Push Buttons and wire them onto one of the two 6 pin Female Connectors at Row 3 and 4 (Row 5 and 6 is not used).
 
Connect the four Encoder Switches into the 2090 "Rotary Sw Input" (RED Oval). Place at Position #1, #2, #3 and #4. Now place the 6 pin Connector onto the 2090 board at the "Digital Sw Input" ROW location (Yellow Oval). That's all there is to it. Now we must Assign the appropriate functions to the Radio using FSUIPC.
 
Plug in your 2090 into a unused USB Port. The Board will be sensed by your computer and the proper driver software will be loaded. Remember to download, run and set  the 2090 Utility Program as seen above. As this Utility program will now sense that a 2090 board is connected to the computer by its unique Serial Number. Set the Utility Program to read the first 4 Rotary Encoders (1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8) as "1:4" with a Pluse Width of "88msec". Remove the 2090 from your computer, Exit the Utility Program. Reload the Utility Program again and reconnect the 2090 to your computer. To test the board, turn each Rotary Encoder left and right. The associated Red Button will pulse as the Encoder is turned. If the pulse is erratic, you must change the "Pulse Timing" and "Pluse Width" to a more accurate setting. This is achieved by trail and error.
 
For the Panasonic Rotary Encoders being sold by Desktop Aviator; the "Pluse Timing" should read "1:2"; while the "Pluse Width" is  "72msec". Just remember, with each change to the Utility Program you must exit the program and run it again to accept the new settings.
 
The 2090 board is now ready to accept FS Assignments.
 
Run your Flight Simulator. Click on "Settings" then "Assignments". Highlight "DTA Rotary Encoder" and DELETE ALL Joystick Default settings that Flight Simulator has placed here. If you do not delete these un-necessary settings, you may run the risk of assigning 2 functions to the same switch.
 
Once all Default settings are deleted press the "ALT" key to enter FSUIPC (Licensed Version). If you need additional information on downloading, running and programming FSUIPC, you can goto:
 
 
With FSUIPC running, you can now program the Rotary Encoders to function as if it were a NAV/COM Radio. The TABLE below shows the FSUIPC Functions that need to be programmed for the Radio to function correctly.
 
Turn the first Rotary Encoder "Clockwise" and associate this switch to: COM RADIO WHOLE INC. Turn the same Rotary Encoder "Counter-Clockwise" and associate this switch to: COM RADIO WHOLE DEC. Now take the second Rotary Encoder and turn it "Clockwise". Associate this switch to: COM RADIO FRAC INC. Now turn the second Rotary Encoder "Counter-Clockwise". Associate this switch to: COM RADIO FRAC DEC.
 
Now, press one of your Spring Return Push Buttons. Associate this switch to: COM STBY RADIO SWAP.  The second Push Button is pressed and associated with:  NAV1 RADIO SWAP.
 
For the remaining two Rotary Encoders, program them just as I instructed above. This time, associate their functions to the four NAV1 commands.
 

FSUIPC Assignments for NAV/COM Radio 1

COM RADIO WHOLE INC

COM RADIO WHOLE DEC

COM RADIO FRAC INC

COM RADIO FRAC DEC

COM STBY RADIO SWAP

NAV1 RADIO WHOLE INC

NAV1 RADIO WHOLE DEC

NAV1 RADIO FRAC INC

NAV1 RADIO FRAC DEC

NAV1 RADIO SWAP

 
That's it for programming. Get back into yout Flight Sim and click on the ICON that displays the Radio Stack. Turn both Rotary Encoders, first to the left and then to the right. Take notics now the NAV and COM Radio Frequencies change with the turning on the Rotary Encoder Knobs. To SWAP the frequencies from Standby to Active, just press the Push Button.
 
If you encounted some difficuilities with the functions, go back into FSUIPC and double check your settings.
 

 
If you really want the "LOOK" of a Radio Shack; you need an Second NAV/COM Radio (NAV/COM 2). Just wire-up another four Rotary Encoders and another 2 Push Button Switches. This time, assign the Switches to the functions listed below.
 

FSUIPC Assignments for NAV/COM Radio 2

COM STBY RADIO WHOLE INCCREASE

COM STBY RADIO WHOLE DECCREASE

COM STBY RADIO FRAC INCCREASE

COM STBY RADIO FRAC DECCREASE

COM2 RADIO SWAP

NAV2 RADIO WHOLE INC

NAV2 RADIO WHOLE DEC

NAV2 RADIO FRAC INC

NAV2 RADIO FRAC DEC

NAV2 RADIO SWAP

 
NOTE: The 2090 Utility Program MUST BE RUN AGAIN to sense the second 2090 Board used for the NAV/COM 2 Radio. Notice that there are 2 Serial Numbers seen this time. Highlight the Serial Number for the New Board and set the Rotary Encoder Inputs as seen above. The UTILITY Program needs to RUN everytime you add another 2090 Board to your computer system
 
Now that you have 2 NAV/COM Radios, you might want to consider enclosing them into a very handsome cabinet. We have the perfect Cabinet for you. You can purchase one at:
 
 
Additional 2090 Boards and Parts can also be purchased here.
 

 
ADVANCED Encoder Wiring
 
Need Aditional Encoders and Digital Switches?  Below is a schematic that shows how to make use of the "Digital Switch" input (Yellow Oval - see above). Using this arrangement, you can add up to 16 Rotary Encoders. This is a very complicated circuit and it should be asembled only if you have an understanding of electronics and circuit diagrams.
 
This layout will give you the option of installing 16 Rotary Encoders BUT, seeing that each encoder requires 2 digital switches, and there are only 32 switches available; (16 x 2 = 32), there are NO Available Digital inputs for Push Button switches. If you need some switch inputs; lets modify the circuit a bit. Say you want only six Rotary Encoders. Using six Encoders, this leaves 20 available inputs for the addition of Push Button Switches.
 
To make this modification, just wire the first six encoders as seen below (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). Now take a look at SCHEMATIC 2 (seen below).
 
SCHEMATIC 1
 
 
 
Just wire each of the 20 switches into the COLUMN/ROW Matrix. When complete, you can check your wiring using the "Control Panel" window; just click on "DTA Rotary Encoder".
 
When working to your satisfaction, you can then run your Flight Simulator and program each switch with the desired function. FSUIPS can also be used.
 
SCHEMATIC 2
 
 
Additional Information on Wiring the Switch Matrix
 
I've just finished writing a short .PDF Article on wiring the Switch MATRIX on the 2090 Board. You can
download a copy at:
 
 
 
 

 
 
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
More Information to be added
in the Near Future.
 
 

 
 
 HAPPY FLYING!
 
 

Purchasing Information for the Model 2090, can be found at: