Joystick Analog

Description

The JoystickAnalog is a template class, that you can use in your own Java-project. The template class is created for an analog joystick, for example the KY-023, which consists of two potentiometers, one for the X-axis and one for the Y-axis. But any joystick with two potentiometers will meet the requirements.

The basic functions of the template class are:

  • return of a normalized value, optionally between 0 and 1 or between -1 and 1, of the X-axis and the Y-axis
  • creation of simple events at a value change of the X-axis or the Y-axis, simple event handlers for button pressed, button depressed, while button is pressed
  • calibration of the center position of the joystick (center position 0.5 at a normalized value between 0 and 1, center position 0 at a normalized value between -1 and 1)

Layout

Joystick Layout

Joystick Analog Breadboard

Joystick Analog Breadboard

Joystick Analog

Joystick Analog

ADS1115-Front

ADS1115-Front

ADS1115-Back

ADS1115-Back

Code

A simple example on how to use the JoystickAnalog-Class from the Hardware-Catalog:

System.out.println("Joystick test started ...");

Ads1115 ads1115 = new Ads1115(pi4j, 0x01, Ads1115.GAIN.GAIN_4_096V, Ads1115.ADDRESS.GND, 4);

//joystick with normalized axis from 0 to 1
JoystickAnalog joystick = new JoystickAnalog(pi4j, ads1115, 0, 1, 3.3, true, PIN.D26);

//joystick with normalized axis from -1 to 1
//JoystickAnalog joystick = new JoystickAnalog(pi4j, ads1115, 0, 1, 3.3, false, PIN.D26);

//register event handlers
joystick.xOnMove((value) -> System.out.println("Current value of joystick x axis is: " + String.format("%.3f", value)));
joystick.yOnMove((value) -> System.out.println("Current value of joystick y axis is: " + String.format("%.3f", value)));

joystick.pushOnDown(() -> System.out.println("Pressing the Button"));
joystick.pushOnUp(() -> System.out.println("Stopped pressing."));
joystick.pushWhilePressed(() -> System.out.println("Button is still pressed."), 1000);

joystick.calibrateJoystick();

//start continuous reading with single shot in this mode you can connect up to 4 devices to the analog module
joystick.start(0.05, 10);

//wait while handling events before exiting
System.out.println("Move the joystick to see it in action!");

delay(30_000);

//stop continuous reading
joystick.stop();

delay(1000
);

//deregister all event handlers
joystick.deregisterAll();

System.out.println("Joystick test done");

Further application

The class is implemented in the sample project Theremin.

Further project ideas

  • create your own PlayStation controller
  • use the joystick to control the position of servo motors steplessly