GNU/Linux installation guide

MODULE (tx)

This is module (driver) for Linux kernel, you have to compile it and load .. This process needs to install specific distribution packages like kernel sources and other. Gentoo and Ubuntu should work out of the box (tested), OpenSuSE needs fallowing packages (kernel-source, kernel-syms, module-init-tools)

NOTE: Character # means you should be looged as ROOT or use sudo command in the current terminal

Compilation and installation: # make
# make install
# depmod -a Module loading: # modprobe tx Check for status: dmesg | grep tx

This module can make a joystick device from everything you want, e.g. keyboard, mouse, .. Remember to load this module each time you booted your OS (you can use for example /etc/modules in debian/ubuntu-like distros).

SOFTWARE (ppm2tx)

This is user-space program for PPM conversion from sound card input. It uses PortAudio library - btw thanks to CRRCsim developers. There is already precompiled PortAudio library for 32bit and 64bit linux so you don't need to install it from version 0.3.0.

It sends converted values into module over /dev/tx device. When module and /dev/tx is created, go to "software" directory and compile it:/

Compilation with textual interface (better for slower machines): # make OR compilation with graphical interface (need GTK 2 library with dev package): # WITH_GUI=1 make Installation: # make install Start up: $ ppm2tx 2 1

Where number 2 (first parameter) correspond with my input sound device's ID, for example:

    DeviceID (2) name: HDA NVidia: ALC1200 Analog (hw:0,2)

Try ID from 0 to X - see list when ppm2tx is started without any parameter:$ ppm2tx

Second parameter enables 120° mixing (usefull for most helicopter's transmitters)

  • 0 - disabled
  • 1 - enabled
  • 2 - enabled (Spektrum compatibile)

NOTE: You should enable this feature on transmitter-sets for helicopters, for planes it should be disabled. For Spektrum TX (DX6i, DX7, ..), you should use value 2.

Third parameter (server address) is NEW and optional and is used for the network connection between ppm2tx and server. Server should be part of this package called ppjoysrv. It is connected to PPJoy's Virtual Joystick in Windows machine so you can control for example plane in Virtual machine with your transmitter !

Server (ppjoysrv) running TCP/IPv4 port 2600.

Problems

If you are bothering with no input on stick movement, try to setup correct input source (line in/mic in) which depends on sound card's connector you using.. Start alsamixer, press F4 and setup your input source: $ alsamixer