New free MFD/ICP app to control Falcon BMS from touch devices
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You don’t really need to run the rtt export server for this app to work, but rather the falcon-bms-control server exe.
Also setting batch size to 4 and fps to 60 does not really make sense since your system would need to push 240fps for that to equal to 60fps updates. I’d recommend setting batch size to the default of 2 and the app to 30fps.
Callbacks under linux: probably the ones differentiating between left and right modifiers (shift, alt, ctrl). It could well be that linux treats those differently.
I’m not running the rtt export server - am using the falcon BMS control server. But those changes in the main config file made a significant difference to the usability of the app; without it, I’m afraid the MFD page was unusable, as I mentioned above; having HSD on display at all left the whole thing unresponsive for many seconds at a time.
So I am confused as to why that would make any difference at all, given what you say (and you should know!) above. I didn’t make a note of all the combos I’d tried, so it might be that I skipped over 60fps in the app with batch size of 2. I’ll try it. 30fps/2 was, as I said, functionally not much different from printing out my HSD when on the runway and sticking it on top of the tablet.
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Okay, maybe what I wrote before did not actually clear things up:
- The app will render its UI at 60fps (always, unless the device is too slow)
- The RTT textures will be rendered whenever they arrive at the client (so independent of those 60 fps)
- The server will check if BMS has a new, changed texture ready at whatever interval you set in the app.
I am not sure what wifi you have and what device, but I can say that with 5ghz wifi, very close to the access point and only one hop of wifi (so the PC actually has a wired connection), it can run run at 60 fps update intervals on a relatively old iPad.
However: I myself run the refresh rate in BMS at g_nRTTBatchExportSize = 2, and then in the app I run 30 fps and a compression quality of 75. There simply is no perceivable difference between 75 and 80 and I’d rather save the bandwidth.
So to debug your issue:
- Set the refresh rate in the app to 30fps (which will cause the server to check BMS shared memory at 30fps)
- Set the compression quality to something lower like 55-60.
Does it run okay now? If yes, your wifi cannot sustain the data rate needed for the higher quality (can go as high as ~15mps, depending on what actually is on the screens).
There really isn’t much of a difference in compression artifacts between 60 and 80m, but a marked difference in data rate needed to run it. If you feel like there is too much artifacts to stomach, set the compression quality a bit higher, like maybe 70. There is a diminishing return of actual visible quality the higher you go and this is also the reason why the app does not even allow setting a higher value than 80. -
Thanks, kungfoo. I will give that a try in a mo; just having to do a full rebuild of Windows!
I have to say, that when it is working for me, this is a brilliant app (and server); kudos.
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Thanks, kungfoo. I will give that a try in a mo; just having to do a full rebuild of Windows!
I have to say, that when it is working for me, this is a brilliant app (and server); kudos.
Compression it is. Dropped it to 30fps, 50 compression, 2 on the batch, and it could just about keep up with TGP + WPN (Mav) at the same time, which seems like a pretty good test, particularly as the tablet is a very underpowered Fire 7. Thanks for your help!
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<hangs head=“” in=“” shame=“”>On my iPad Pro, it’s near native “in BMS” performance, even with TGP+WPN open. Amazing. Great work!</hangs>
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Good to hear it works for you. Of course the ipad pro is a very powerful tablet, but if you have one, why not use it.
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Good to hear it works for you. Of course the ipad pro is a very powerful tablet, but if you have one, why not use it.
I hadn’t considered that it would depend on the tablet performance. The reason to use the Fire 7 is because I want to mount it in a button box I’m making. Definitely don’t want to mount my 12.9” iPad in there!
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Yeah, then mount the Fire 7, drop compression quality and enjoy some smooth 30fps updates. Also: switch to 5ghz wifi if you can and are close to the access point. You can achieve higher transfer rates but will be more suceptible to blockage through walls (like reinforced concrete and stuff).
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I have tried for hours but I can’t seem to get this program to work 100%. I can get it to do nearly everything except accepting input from the tablet. It shows in the response that the keystroke is not valid? So the BMS Server is communicating but just not accepting all inputs. I can use the EWS and it works fine but nothing for the MFD’s. I have checked, double checked and triple checked and the keystroke matches.
Example is I press MFD button #1. Server says keystroke SimCBEOSB_1L is not valid. I am using the BMS - Full keyfile and the keys match. SimCBEOSB_1L is assigned to 0x2 6 which is correct. Is there something I’m missing here?
Sorry, this was posted in the wrong thread. It should’ve been in the FalconMFD Software thread.
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Hey kungfoo…
Finally got around to trying this on my ipad. It all worked great right off the bat!
Thank you for your hard work. Some may think this a simple thing to throw together… but I know better. Great work mate! :bowd: -
@Sabetooth: So I take it this works for you? The server app will log a warning every time it cannot find a non-DX binding for a callback that is used, so it’s pretty obvious what is going on. However, my keyfile is also as follows (and works):
SimCBEOSB_1L 126 0 0x2 6 0 0 1 “LMFD: OSB-1 Button - Push”
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Yeah, then mount the Fire 7, drop compression quality and enjoy some smooth 30fps updates. Also: switch to 5ghz wifi if you can and are close to the access point. You can achieve higher transfer rates but will be more suceptible to blockage through walls (like reinforced concrete and stuff).
Repeated attempts with the fire and not a change in behaviour. Gave up. Binned it. Dug out my smashed up iPad Pro (it had an accident involving a strong wind, a concrete floor and a piano!) and it works perfectly. Wonderful app.
I’ve now made a switch panel and iPad mount. I can now fly (after ramp start) completely without using keyboard or mouse.
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That’s a great picture, I always get inspired to improve my setup by seeing what others are doing. Thanks for sharing
-jb
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That’s a great picture, I always get inspired to improve my setup by seeing what others are doing. Thanks for sharing
-jb
Pleasure - the stick needs to go - it is very budget, but it’ll do for now. The switch panel thing cost about 40 UK pounds - got the switches from amazon, and the control board is http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=205 - and took about two hours to make and wire up (my wood working skills are zero, as evidence by the wonky strip holding up the ipad!). Combined with the AVCS radio VoiceAttack profiles, I can do everything after ramp start without touching keyboard or mouse.
The metal toggle switches are for laser arm, speed brake and gear. the black 3 ways are for master arm, parking brake, the 2 auto pilot switches, and a spare. the push buttons are currently Master Caution, AA, AG, then the right hand column is basically spare (the bottom one is to centre trackIR), currently mapped to views until I live with it a bit longer and work out what’s missing.
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Pleasure - the stick needs to go - it is very budget, but it’ll do for now. The switch panel thing cost about 40 UK pounds - got the switches from amazon, and the control board is http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=94&products_id=205 - and took about two hours to make and wire up (my wood working skills are zero, as evidence by the wonky strip holding up the ipad!). Combined with the AVCS radio VoiceAttack profiles, I can do everything after ramp start without touching keyboard or mouse.
That is the real goal, right, to get rid of mouse+keyboard. I am working on the mouse part for now with touchscreens. And don’t sell yourself short, it looks fine and more importantly you know just how to maintain and extend it because you built it from scratch. Well done, I say. Can I ask about the buttons and switches/rotaries, would you have a link to where on Amazon to find those ?
Cheers,
jb -
That is the real goal, right, to get rid of mouse+keyboard. I am working on the mouse part for now with touchscreens. And don’t sell yourself short, it looks fine and more importantly you know just how to maintain and extend it because you built it from scratch. Well done, I say. Can I ask about the buttons and switches/rotaries, would you have a link to where on Amazon to find those ?
Cheers,
jbHaven’t added any rotaries (yet), but here’s the switches (UK Amazon) - OFNMY 5 Pcs Waterproof Toggle… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FKXFNL1?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
mxuteuk 8pcs Snap-in Boat Rocker… https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SBMZ7SF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
5 x Green Off-(On) Momentary Square Push Button Switch 12mm SPST https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CZL7VFQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_NRAX2FP85CNHAXZGVNG4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
These are connected to a Bodnar board with pre-attached headers, so it’s just a case of solder or spade connector wires to each switch, then push the wire into the board connector. Plug-in usb cable and it all magically works.
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That’s a really cool setup, tbh and I’m glad your smashed up iPad is getting a second life. That USB switch board looks like a pretty dope starting point for any button box type thing, thank you for that link.
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That’s a really cool setup, tbh and I’m glad your smashed up iPad is getting a second life. That USB switch board looks like a pretty dope starting point for any button box type thing, thank you for that link.
Well, it wouldn’t be any good without your excellent app!
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Callbacks under linux: probably the ones differentiating between left and right modifiers (shift, alt, ctrl). It could well be that linux treats those differently.
Finally coming back to trying to make this work on Linux. How can I change what is sent? The non-working buttons seem to send Shift-Alt-None, which is obviously not something I can map in the UI.
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Halloo
Can you resize the images to center it in the Android display? I can feel my OCD kicking in!Domestos