Assuming JOYSTICK interface is the plan?
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what does this mean? I will have 12 dials (either pots or encoders).
They were guessing that when you said axes, you were referring to a joystick. When you first mentioned dials, you didn't say what type of input. If you need 12 analog inputs, I think any Teensy will do it. If you need 12 encoder inputs, you probably need T3.5, T3.6, or T4.1. Take a look at the product pages at pjrc.com.
If you need 12 encoder inputs, you probably need T3.5, T3.6, or T4.1. Take a look at the product pages at pjrc.com.
Using the EncoderTool (https://github.com/luni64/EncoderTool) you can easily multiplex rotary encoders and their pushbuttons which reduces the number of needed digital pins significantly. Here some examples, schematics and boards showing how to use different multiplexer chips for encoders: https://github.com/luni64/EncoderTool/tree/master/extras
@ luni from the page you linked
https://github.com/luni64/EncoderToo...cting-Encoders
the CD 4067 looks appealling. two of those can give 16 dials. but since windows can only see 8 analog inputs per device, i do not see how that would work. I have an inkling of how this might be coded-but i'd have to study some examples. If windows sees only 8 analog inputs per device, would i need a switch to use each set of 8 dials? that would be inconvenient-i would have to flip a switch to use each bank of dials. or maybe i misunderstand how these work
@ everyone who answered already
thank you educating me. I used the word 'axes' because that's how analog inputs are represented in windows , as an 'axis'. Also that's how DCS (a flight sim) labels them. Sorry if that means something different.
What FlightSim are you using? If you are using FlightGear or X Plane then you can have as many as you need. I've seen sim cockpits with hundres of buttons, dials, displays on these sims. In fact those sims are sometimes used by NASA and the FAA for real cockpit Simulation. They use USB to communicate Serialy, also over UDP with ethernet. Just search out FlightGear Arduino and you will get 46K links to the FlightGear Wiki and probably some irelivent links too. FlightGear and X Plane use the same methods so everything regarding FlightGear should also work with X Plane. You have alot of work ahead of you but the quantity of buttons, dials, axis's, etc... is just a matter of sending the appropriate data from/to whatever device/micro you make.
Here are some links (Any Microcontroller will work, but they all refer to Arduino, teensy should work just as well):
https://wiki.flightgear.org/Howto:Use_Arduino_with_FlightGear
https://playground.arduino.cc/Main/FlightGear/
As long as your sim can accept a serial or ethernet controller connection and is WELL DOCUMENTED you shouldn't be limited at all.