Motion Drive 3.0 - User Guide

What is FSUIPC?

FSUIPC is a piece of software that has been developed and enhanced over the years by Peter Dowson and others. Its role is to collect and store a wide range of information from flight simulator packages in real time. Other applications, including Motion Drive can then access that information. It is also possible to send information to flight simulator packages via FSUIPC. So it can be said to be a two-way interface and a data store.

Glossary Terms

FSUIPC

Digital to Analogue Converter

Motion Cues

Background

What Does Motion Drive 3.0 Do?

In order to make a motion base work wth your flight simulation package, you need software and hardware which is able to extract information from the simulation in real time and convert it rapidly into drive instructions for the motion base. That is what Motion Drive 3.0 does.

Using the interface package FSUIPC from Peter Dowson, Motion Drive connects with the simulation as it is running and extracts information on the spacial position of the simulated aircraft. Motion bases are designed to provide motion cues which add realism to the simulated experience of flying. Those cues are the accelerations that the body feels when inside a moving vehicle. Motion Drive converts the postional information into accelerations suitable for use as motion cues.

At the same time, Motion Drive is gathering information from the sensors on the platform which tell it where the platform is relative to centre position and the platform's limits of movement.

Now comes the clever bit. Motion Drive uses both sets of information (from the simulation and from the platform) to generate a set of drive signals for the platform which ensure that the motion cues are realistic and correct, whilst keeping the platform within its envelope of movement. It also ensures that excessive accelerations (such as when you crash your plane) are eliminated and that the platform is brought back towards centre position in an unnoticeable way.

Having sent out one set of signals to your motion platform, it starts again with the next set and so on - up to 50 times per second.

What is the Motion Drive 3.0 Package?

The package you have purchased comprises two main elements:-

1. Motion Drive 3.0 software. This is the software that drives your motion platform
2. Two USB modules. These are how Motion Drive, running on your PC, connects with your motion platform.

What else do I need?

You will need a copy of the FSUIPC software, which acts as the interface between the simulation and Motion Drive. This can be downloaded from Peter Dowson's website (www.schiratti.com/dowson.html). Versions 2.94 or later of FSUIPC will work. Some earlier versions may also work, but we have not been able to ascertain the earliest version that will work.

The software and hardware provided send out an 8-bit digital signal from the USB modules. So, you will need hardware that can convert that signal into one that your chosen drive system can use. In most cases that will mean adding a Digital to Analogue Converter for each platform drive, hardware that can convert the digital signals from your PC into Analogue signals that motors and other drive methods can use. You will also need a method of connecting your platform sensors so that they can be inputs to your PC via the USB modules.

And, of course you need to have built a motion platform!

Motion Drive 3.0 User Guide version 1.0