The Opti-PAC (Optical
Interface for Pc to Arcade Controls) is an interface for easily connecting
optical-type arcade control devices including trackballs and spinners to a PC
for use with emulators such as MAME.
The Opti-PAC. Click for a Hi res pic.
Features:
USB Mode: One USB cable handles up to two trackballs and 4
spinners/rotary joysticks.
Serial mode: Two independent serial port inputs to accomodate two
trackballs and 4 spinners/rotary joysticks.
No external power needed when used in USB mode.
In serial mode takes power from I-PAC using supplied cable, or any 5V
source.
The active control (trackball or rotary) is automatically selected
using a "first moved" method.
Supports buffered controls (Happ type) or unbuffered (Suzo, Wico),
high or low polarity.
Configurable via software, jumpers, or external switch for the
following modes.
USB Interface:
Works in one or two player modes (one USB mouse device) in
Windows. Auto-switching between trackball and spinner
Also works in two player mode (two USB mouse devices) using
recent MAME versions which support independent mouse devices (ie 2
trackballs).
Will work alongside PS/2 or USB mouse if required.
SERIAL interface:
DUAL SERIAL MODE: 2 Player, 2 trackball or 2/4 spinners.
Independent control for each player.
AUTO-SWITCH MODE: Auto-switching between trackball and spinner
into one serial port.
SOFT-SWITCH MODE: Software switching via mouse driver to select
trackball or spinner as required.
HARDWARE SWITCH MODE: External switching between trackball or
spinner into one or two serial ports.
Will work alongside PS/2 or USB mouse if required.
The
I-PAC and Opti-PAC. Click for a Hi res pic.
Technical Info:
A one-axis
optical control such as a spinner has one LED which shines across a spoked
wheel onto two sensors. The two sensor outputs are compared with each
other to generate movement direction.
Therefore the interface
requires two parts: A voltage supply for the LED. Inputs for the two
sensors. The OPTI-PAC has outputs for the LED and the 2 inputs for the two
sensors. It takes all voltage needed from the USB port when used in USB
mode.
A dual-axis device such as a trackball has all the above
multiplied by two. Two LEDs, two pairs of sensors. So the board has two
independent circuits for the X and Y directions. These two circuits can either
be used on the same dual-axis device or separate single-axis spinners.
Testing: Opti-Pac, I-PAC, Cypress microcontroller development board 2
Suzo and 1 Happ Trackball Click for a Hi res pic.
