Overview

The Joystick DIY Kit allows one to control numerous projects with the Quantum platform, like a remote controlled car or a robotic arm.

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Picture	Name	Quantity	Price(As of 7/10/20)	Link
	Radial LED (5mm)	1	$.05/LED (when purchased in a 100 pack)	Included in Starter Kit Or you can purchase it here
	Tactile Push Button	1	$.32/Button	Included in Starter Kit Or you can purchase it here
	Sliding Switch	1	~$.26/Switch	Can be purchased here
	2x5 Pin Header	1	~$.67/Header	Can be purchase here
	100Ω Resistor	1	$.02/Resistor	Can be purchased here
	10kΩ Resistor	3	$.02/Resistor	Included in Starter Kit Or you can purchase it here
	240Ω Resistor	1	$.02/Resistor	Can be purchased here
	390Ω Resistor	1	$.02/Resistor	Can be purchased here
	100nf Capacitor	1	~$.03/Capacitor	Can be purchased here
	10uf Polarized Capacitor	1	~$.03/Capacitor	Can be purchased here
	1uf Polarized Capacitor	1	~$.03/Capacitor	Can be purchased here
	1N4000 Diode	2	~$.24/Diode	Can be purchased here
	LM317MB	1	~$.64/Regulator	Can be purchased here
	Thumb Joystick	2	~$1.85/Joystick	Can be purchase here
	2.1mm Barrel Jack	1	$.60	Can be purchased here
	2.1mm Barrel Jack to 9V adapter	1	~$1.2/Adapter	Can be purchased here
	Joystick DIY Kit Board	1	$2-4 (5 Pack)	-
	Q-Client Builder Base	1		Q-Client

Tools Used

Picture	Name	Quantity	Link
	Small slotted-head screwdriver	1	Included in the Starter Kit or you can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List
	Soldering Iron	1	You can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List
	Solder	1	You can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List
	Diagonal Cutters	1	You can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List
	Work Holder	1	You can pick from one on our Recommended Tools List

Story

The Idea

The motivation behind creating the Joystick DIY Kit is to offer a project that is simple to build and highly versatile to use. With this Joystick Kit you are able to easily control a wide variety of motorized projects.

Video

Build Process

Step 1: PCB Assembly and Soldering

Download the Joystick Kit Bill of Materials:

Gather your Joystick Kit PCB and all required components listed in the BOM.

It is especially important to follow the BOM exactingly as it tells you where to place the components on the PCB. The fifth column on the BOM is the “parts” column. This column designates which position on the PCB you are to pace the component. For example, if under the parts column you have a resistor labeled r1 you would then find the position marked r1 on the PCB and place the resistor there.

Using some form of work holder is advised. You can find a list of suitable work holders on our Recommended Tools List.

Step 2: Wiring your Joystick to the Builder Base

On the back of your Joystick PCB you will have a 2x5 header. This is where you will plug in your cables to the client.

From the two diagrams below you can see how we wired the 2x5 header to the Builder Base.

First we will start by connecting the GND and 3.3V terminals to the GND and 3.3V ports respectively on the Builder Base.

Then we connect the remaining header terminals to the builder base as follows:

SW1 → GP0

Y1 → GP1

X1 → GP2

SW2 → GP3

Y2 → GP4

X2 → GP5

SW3 → GP6

Step 3: Build the Firmware

Navigate to the Firmware Builder and create a new Firmware file. We named ours Joystick.

Next, click the “+ Add Hardware” button and find the Joystick device via the search bar, select it, name it, and then click “Add Hardware”. We named ours Left.

Now, add another device by clicking the “Add Hardware” button again, and add another Joystick. We named this one “Right”.

Lastly, we will add one more device. Repeat the steps above to add another device, but this time search for a “Button”.

You should now have three devices in your firmware file.

Now you can follow this video to configure each device in the firmware file.

You have now finished configuring your firmware. Save your firmware by clicking the “Save” button at the bottom of the screen.

Now you can upload your firmware to the Build Base.

Step 4: Build the Application

Navigate to the Applications page and click the “+ Create New Button”, name your application, and click create.

You will now be directed to the App Builder Canvas.

Using the search bar in the left hand tool-bar search for the Joystick code object and drag it onto the canvas.

We will now name the Joystick code objects by clicking on them and editing their name in the right hand “properties” panel.

In order to save the names you must click the “Save Properties” button at the bottom of the properties tab.

Next, search for the “Debug” code object using the search bar and drag six of them onto the canvas.

Now, for each Joystick connect the three output ports to each of their own Debug objects via the “In” port on the debug objects.

At this point we suggest that you name each of the Debug objects and Label them. To name and label an object click on the object and name it via the properties tab on the right hand side of the canvas.

Now search for the “Button” and “Text” objects and drag both onto the canvas.

Connect the “State” port from the button to the “In” port on the text object, and name and label your objects as you did with the other objects in the previous section.

Now, save your App by clicking the “Save App” button in the upper right hand side of the canvas.

Your app is now complete!

Step 5: Map Your Application

You should now be back on the Apps page.

Find your “Joystick” app and hit the play button.

A list containing all of the devices in your application will expand.

Next click on the “Button” device and the client dropdown menu will appear on the right.

Select the Button driver from the dropdown menu and hit “Done”.

Repeat the same steps for the “Right” and “Left” Joystick devices.

Notice how the status symbols have changed to green checkmarks.

Step 6: Run the Application!

Next, hit “Save + Run”

Congratulations! Your Joystick project is now complete! You can now use this as input control for RC cars and other motorized projects!

Code

Gallery

Resources