New control grips bring game functionality to military applications
Manning and controlling modern military electronic systems may be no ‘Game Boy™’
but the new, rugged, dual-handle control unit from Ultra Electronics MSI
certainly makes it easier as it is designed to suit a generation that cut its
teeth on joysticks and game controls.
Using a control layout similar to those used in video game controllers, the
patented FMCU™ series offers an easy transition from video games to military
applications providing military personnel with the ability to move freely in
the field without being restricted by a mounted controller.
A new generation! �
This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 10:12 am and is filed under Joysticks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
This is interesting, but I need a joystick for operating a wheelchair, I see most of the Ultra MSI range are used in defence applications, I need a good quality stick at a good price and need ROHS compliant product.
Any ideas?
Hi irishshark
Have you looked at the 462 Series? These are fingertip or thumb controlled using the minumum of force. They have 6 various grips to choose from. And they are around the £100 mark (price breaks available) and RoHS Compliant. These are always available from stock.
More details and datasheets available at the following link.
http://www.ultra-msi.com/documents/ultra_msi_model_462.pdf
Mike Strevens
Design Support Engineer
Thanks Mike.
But I am looking for a larger joystick with a non-contacting displacement control.
Can MSI help?
Many thanks for your reply
Sounds to me that you could be looking for a 501C Joystick. This is sealed to NEMA4/IP66 and IP55 above panel so can be used in all weather conditions.
It is a non-contacting fingertip precision control. Priced at approx £150 this uses Hall Effect Technology and is RoHs compliant.
http://www.ultra-msi.com/documents/ultra_msi_model_501c.pdf
More info can be found on the above link.
Again this is a product that Aerco have in stock
Best Regards
This is the one, thanks Mike.
Sorry to be a pain but can you explain “Hall Effect” it sounds interesting.
No problem irishshark
Briefly, Hall effect refers to the potential difference (Hall voltage) on the opposite sides of an electrical conductor through which an electric current is flowing, created by a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the current. Edwin Hall discovered this effect in 1879.
The ratio of the voltage created to the product of the current and the magnetic field (I*B) divided by the element thickness, is known as the Hall coefficient. It is a characteristic of the material from which the conductor is made, as its value depends on the type, number and properties of the charge carriers that constitute the current.
The Hall effect comes about due to the nature of the current flow in a conductor. Current consists of the movement of many small charge-carrying “particles” (typically, but not necessarily, electrons). Moving charges experience a force, called the Lorentz Force, when a magnetic field is present that is not parallel to their motion. When such a magnetic field is absent, the charges follow an approximately straight, ‘line of sight’ path. However, when a perpendicular magnetic field is applied, their path is curved so that moving charges accumulate on one face of the material. This leaves equal and opposite charges exposed on the other face, where there is a scarcity of mobile charges. The result is an asymmetric distribution of charge density across the Hall element that is perpendicular to both the ‘line of sight’ path and the applied magnetic field. The separation of charge establishes an electric field that opposes the migration of further charge, so a steady electrical potential builds up for as long as the current is flowing.
As a result, the Hall effect is very useful as a means to measure both the carrier density and the magnetic field.
One very important feature of the Hall effect is that it differentiates between positive charges moving in one direction and negative charges moving in the opposite. The Hall effect offered the first real proof that electric currents in metals are carried by moving electrons, not by protons. The Hall effect also showed that in some substances (especially semiconductors), it is more appropriate to think of the current as positive “holes” moving rather than negative electrons.
I hope that ‘rough outline’ helps.
This could also be helpful
Advantages over other methods
Hall effect devices when appropriately packaged are immune to dust, dirt, mud, and water. These characteristics make Hall effect devices better for position sensing than alternative means such as optical and electromechanical sensing.
Hall effect current sensor with internal integrated circuit amplifier. 8 mm opening. Zero current output voltage is midway between the supply voltages that maintain a 4 to 8 volt differential. Non-zero current response is proportional to the voltage supplied and is linear to 60 amperes for this particular (25 A) device.When electrons flow through a conductor, a magnetic field is produced. Thus, it is possible to create a non-contacting current sensor. The device has three terminals. A sensor voltage is applied across two terminals and the third provides a voltage proportional to the current being sensed. This has several advantages; no additional resistance (a shunt, required for the most common current sensing method) need be inserted in the primary circuit. Also, the voltage present on the line to be sensed is not transmitted to the sensor, which enhances the safety of measuring equipment.
Thanks Mike
I am glad I asked!
Best regards
I.S.