Don’t ignore single-axis joysticks | Arduino Weblog

While you hear the phrase “joystick,” you in all probability consider the usual dual-axis joysticks that we see on online game controllers. Because the identify implies, these transfer and supply indicators for 2 axes (X and Y). However there isn’t any purpose {that a} joystick wants two axes and, in reality, that is probably not fascinating. To show the practicality of single-axis joysticks, Austin Allen constructed this easy controller appropriate for a number of totally different functions.

Allen’s gadget controls three various things with its three single-axis joysticks: an RGB LED, a servo motor, and a stepper motor. Every of these is an instance of a single-axis at work. That axis maps to paint (crimson and inexperienced) and brightness for the LED, horn place for the servo, and rotation course/pace for the stepper motor. There are, in fact, a number of different viable use instances for single-axis joysticks.

To showcase this, Allen’s unit gives indicators to an Arduino Nano board, which then controls the LED and motors. It controls the LED and servo motor immediately, however goes by way of a TMC2208 driver to deal with the stepper motor. The indicators from the joysticks are straightforward to learn, as a result of they’re simply potentiometers. Every joystick accepts constructive and destructive energy, then outputs a voltage between these two primarily based on its place. With a regular analogRead() operate, the Arduino can test the voltage and decide the joystick place.

You might not have any use for this particular controller, nevertheless it does do a superb job of illustrating potential functions for single-axis joysticks and it’s best to take into account them for future tasks.