CockpitHardwareHUB_v2 is a tool designed for cockpit builders to connect hardware to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. Unlike other tools that require specific configurations or are limited to certain microcontroller brands, CockpitHardwareHUB_v2 offers flexibility and broad compatibility.
- Compatibility with any microcontroller providing a serial interface via USB.
- Configurations are "pushed" from each device, eliminating extra maintenance.
- Devices are hot swappable
The tool listens for Win32_SerialPort devices and identifies hardware using the PNPDevice string format USB\VID_vvvv&PID_pppp\nnnnnnn. The string components include USB indication, VendorID, ProductID, and a unique serial number for each device. The tool allows to filter on specific VID, PID and/or Serial Number.
Devices undergo a registration process involving command-response sequences, such as:
RESET: Puts device in Registration Mode.IDENT: Device responds with DeviceName and ProcessorType.REGISTER: Device sends its Property strings.
Properties received are added to the Property Pool, becoming Variables registered with MSFS using SimConnect and/or the WASM module. Properties are identified by a Property Id which is the sequence in which they are sent starting from 1. Variables get their own Variable Id which is managed by CockpitHardwarHUB_v2.
Device properties follow a specific format, including:
- ValueType: Type of the property's value.
- RW: Read or Write indication.
- VarType: Type of variable (Simulation, Local, Events, etc.)
- VarName: Name of the variable.
- Index (optional): Additional variable information.
- Unit: (Only for 'A' type variables)
Once Properties are successfully registered and linked with a Variable, data can be exchanged between MSFS and the devices. For efficiency, the 3-digit Property ID is used rather than the full Property string. Each command has the format NNN[=[data]], in which NNN is the Property ID and data the optional data (if the variable requires it), prepended by the =-sign.
CockpitHardwareHUB_v2 applies restrictions based on ValueType, RW and VarType.
The tool assists in developing hardware with features like:
execute_calculator_code: Helps in experimenting with commands.- Virtual Device: Simulates a real USB device for property testing.
- Overview of all registered Variables, and in case of 'R'ead variables real-time update of the values.
The GitHub repository contains 2 folders that allow to immediately use the application:
- Executables - Copy this to a folder on your computer
- WASM module - The folder 'wasimcommander-module' needs to be copied in the Community folder of MSFS 2020
CockpitHardwareHUB_v2 is developed by Hans Billiet. The project leverages contributions from Maxim Paperno who is the creator of WASimCommander, and Paul van Dinther for the module SerialPortManager.cs.
CockpitHardwarHUB_v2 uses the WASimCommander WASM module and a slightly adapted version of WASimCommander.WASimClient.dll (v1.2.0.1). Both are included in this repository. SerialPortManager.cs has been adapted to allow it to find a broader range of devices.
- Copyright: Hans Billiet; All Rights Reserved.
- Licensed under GNU General Public License (GPL) v3 or later.
- WASimCommander project is used under the terms of the GPLv3 license
- No warranty for the program's utility, suitability, or merchantability.