49-Way Joystick Conversion Board

49-Way Joystick Information

The Williams 49-Way Optical Joystick was advanced for the time. As the device relied on optical interrupter switches, there were no contacts to wear out or adjust.

Operation - Pinout

• 3 Optical Interrupter Switches are used for each direction (Up/Down-Y and Left/Right -X) .Total of 6 switches
  • This provides a total of 7 possible positions in each X and Y axis. (3 Up/1 Center/3 Down - 3 Left/1 Center/3 Right) (7 * 7 = 49 Unique positions)
• There are 8 unique outputs
  • Opto Swtich 1 (U/D)
  • Opto Switch 2 (U/D)
  • Opto Switch 3 (U/D)
  • Up/Down Direction
  • Opto Switch 4 (L/R)
  • Opto Switch 5 (L/R)
  • Opto Switch 6 (L/R)
  • Left/Right Direction
• 12 Pin Molex Header Pin-Out
  1. +5 Volts
  2. Opto Switch 1 (U/D)
  3. Opto Switch 2 (U/D)
  4. Opto Switch 3 (U/D)
  5. Up/Down Direction (Up=Low / Down = High)
  6. Opto Switch 4 (L/R)
  7. Opto Switch 5 (L/R)
  8. Opto Switch 6 (L/R)
  9. Left/Right Direction (Right = Low / Left = High)
  10. Key - No Connection
  11. Ground
  12. Ground

• 

  (Sinistar 49-Way)

• 

  (Sinistar - Disassembled)

• 

  (49-Way PCB)

• 

  (Slotted Optical Switch

• 

  (Slotted Optical Switch Diagram)

Programmed Joystick Emulations

• The images and most of the information below is from Sean Riddle's site and the work he did building an EPROM based translator. You can visit his site HERE. (Thanks Sean!)

• 

  Horizontal)
  

• 

  Vertical)
  

• 

  (4-Way)

• 

  Corners U/D
  

• 

  Corners L/R)
  

• 

  Standard)
  

• 

  With Dead Zone)
  

• 

  No Dead Zone)
  

• 

  (49-Way)

Amtel Microprocessor Source Code:

//Program Written By: Brad Raedel
//03162020 - Revision 1 - Just get it working

//Up
int Opto1 = 2;    //Input Pin 2
int Opto2 = 3;    //Input Pin 3
int Opto3 = 4;    //Input Pin 4
int Up = 9;      //Output to Game - Pin 10
int Dn = 10;      //Output to Game - Pin 11
//Down
int Opto4 = 5;    //Input Pin 5
int Opto5 = 6;    //Input Pin 6
int Opto6 = 7;    //Input Pin 7
int Left = 11;    //Output to Game - Pin 12
int Right = 12;   //Output to Game - Pin 13

//Option Switches - These will be used to select mode/options (0 to 15)
int Op1 = A0; //1
int Op2 = A1; //2
int Op3 = A2; //4
int Op4 = A3; //8
int OpVal = 0; //Default to zero

bool Opto1St;   //Opto States
bool Opto2St;
bool Opto3St;
bool Opto4St;
bool Opto5St;
bool Opto6St;
bool UpSt;      //Set HIGH when stick is UP
bool DnSt;      //Set HIGH when Stick is DOWN
bool LtSt;      //Set HIGH when stick is LEFT
bool RtSt;      //Set HIGH when Stick is RIGHT
bool LockedStUD;//Used to Latch the UP or DOWN position
bool LockedStLR;//Used to Latch the LEFT or RIGH postion
int UpVal = 3;    //Store the Up position (0-2)
int DnVal = 3;    //Store the Down postion (0-2)
int UpDnPos = 3;  //Absolute postion of Up/Down 0 = Top, 6 = Bottom, 3 is Center/Neutral
int LtVal = 3;    //Store the Left position (0-2)
int RtVal = 3;    //Store the Right position (0-2)
int LtRtPos = 3;  //Absolute postion of Left/Right 0 = Left, 6 = Right, 3 is Center/Neutral
int AbsPos = 24;
int i = 0;

//Rows Then Columns - Stored Like this { {Row 0 - 0 to 48},{Row 2 - 0 to 48}...etc..
// 8-Way Standard
const bool  Up8WayStd[49]  =  {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,1,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Dn8WayStd[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,1,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1} ;
const bool  Lt8WayStd[49]  =  {1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Rt8WayStd[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1} ;
// 8-Way with NO Dead Zone
const bool  Up8WayNoDZ[49]  = {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Dn8WayNoDZ[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1} ; 
const bool  Lt8WayNoDZ[49]  = {1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Rt8WayNoDZ[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1} ; 
// 8-Way with Dead Zone
const bool  Up8WayDZ[49]  = {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Dn8WayDZ[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1} ;
const bool  Lt8WayDZ[49]  = {1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Rt8WayDZ[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1} ;
//4-Way Standard
const bool  Up4WayStd[49]  =  {0,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ; 
const bool  Dn4WayStd[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,0} ;
const bool  Lt4WayStd[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Rt4WayStd[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
//4-Way Corners L/R
const bool  Up4WayLR[49]  = {0,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Dn4WayLR[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,0} ;
const bool  Lt4WayLR[49]  = {1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Rt4WayLR[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1} ;
//4-Way Corners U/D
const bool  Up4WayUD[49]  = {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Dn4WayUD[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1} ;
const bool  Lt4WayUD[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Rt4WayUD[49]  = {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
// 2-Way Horizontal
const bool  Up2WayH[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Dn2WayH[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Lt2WayH[49]  =  {1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0} ;  
const bool  Rt2WayH[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,1,1,1} ;
// 2-Way Vertical
const bool  Up2WayV[49]  =  {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;  
const bool  Dn2WayV[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1} ;
const bool  Lt2WayV[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;
const bool  Rt2WayV[49]  =  {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0} ;

bool  UpOut[49] = {}; 
bool  DnOut[49] = {};
bool  LtOut[49] = {};
bool  RtOut[49] = {};
void setup() {
//Serial.begin(57600);    //Disable when not debugging
pinMode(Opto1,INPUT);   //Set Direction of physical inputs/outputs
pinMode(Opto2,INPUT);
pinMode(Opto3,INPUT);
pinMode(Opto4,INPUT);
pinMode(Opto5,INPUT);
pinMode(Opto6,INPUT);
pinMode(Up,INPUT);
pinMode(Dn,INPUT);
pinMode(Left,INPUT);
pinMode(Right,INPUT);
pinMode(Op1,INPUT);
pinMode(Op2,INPUT);
pinMode(Op3,INPUT);
pinMode(Op4,INPUT);

//Let's get our DIP Switch settings (Will = 0 to 15)
if (digitalRead(Op1) == HIGH)
{
  OpVal = 1;
}
if (digitalRead(Op2) == HIGH)
{
  OpVal = OpVal + 2;
}
if (digitalRead(Op3) == HIGH)
{
  OpVal = OpVal + 4;
}
if (digitalRead(Op4) == HIGH)
{
  OpVal = OpVal + 8;
}
//Serial.println(OpVal);
  switch (OpVal) {
  case 0:         //DIP Switch 0 - 8-Way - No Dead zone - This routine copies the array - Only on setup, not during loop/runtime    
  // 8WayStd
    i = 0;
    while( i < 49 ){
    UpOut[ i ] = Up8WayStd[ i ];
    DnOut[ i ] = Dn8WayStd[ i ];
    LtOut[ i ] = Lt8WayStd[ i ];
    RtOut[ i ] = Rt8WayStd[ i ];
    ++i;}
  break;
  case 1:     //DIP Switch 1 -    
  // 8WayNoDZ
    i = 0;
    while( i < 49 ){
    UpOut[ i ] = Up8WayNoDZ[ i ];
    DnOut[ i ] = Dn8WayNoDZ[ i ];
    LtOut[ i ] = Lt8WayNoDZ[ i ];
    RtOut[ i ] = Rt8WayNoDZ[ i ];
    ++i;}
  break;
 case 2:     //DIP Switch 2 -    
  // 8WayDZ
    i = 0;
    while( i < 49 ){
    UpOut[ i ] = Up8WayDZ[ i ];
    DnOut[ i ] = Dn8WayDZ[ i ];
    LtOut[ i ] = Lt8WayDZ[ i ];
    RtOut[ i ] = Rt8WayDZ[ i ];
    ++i;}
  break;
  case 3:     //DIP Switch 3 -    
  // 4WayStd
    i = 0;
    while( i < 49 ){
    UpOut[ i ] = Up4WayStd[ i ];
    DnOut[ i ] = Dn4WayStd[ i ];
    LtOut[ i ] = Lt4WayStd[ i ];
    RtOut[ i ] = Rt4WayStd[ i ];
    ++i;}
  break;
  case 4:     //DIP Switch 4 -    
  // 4WayLR
    i = 0;
    while( i < 49 ){
    UpOut[ i ] = Up4WayLR[ i ];
    DnOut[ i ] = Dn4WayLR[ i ];
    LtOut[ i ] = Lt4WayLR[ i ];
    RtOut[ i ] = Rt4WayLR[ i ];
    ++i;}
  break;
    case 5:     //DIP Switch 5 -    
  // 4WayUD
    i = 0;
    while( i < 49 ){
    UpOut[ i ] = Up4WayUD[ i ];
    DnOut[ i ] = Dn4WayUD[ i ];
    LtOut[ i ] = Lt4WayUD[ i ];
    RtOut[ i ] = Rt4WayUD[ i ];
    ++i;}
  break;
    case 6:     //DIP Switch 6 -    
  // 2WayH
    i = 0;
    while( i < 49 ){
    UpOut[ i ] = Up2WayH[ i ];
    DnOut[ i ] = Dn2WayH[ i ];
    LtOut[ i ] = Lt2WayH[ i ];
    RtOut[ i ] = Rt2WayH[ i ];
    ++i;}
  break;
      case 7:     //DIP Switch 7 -    
  // 2WayV
    i = 0;
    while( i < 49 ){
    UpOut[ i ] = Up2WayV[ i ];
    DnOut[ i ] = Dn2WayV[ i ];
    LtOut[ i ] = Lt2WayV[ i ];
    RtOut[ i ] = Rt2WayV[ i ];
    ++i;}
  break;
  
  }
} 

//Main Program that loops
void loop() {
// Up/Down Logic
Opto1St = digitalRead(Opto1); //Read Optical Switch 1
Opto2St = digitalRead(Opto2); //Read Optical Switch 2
Opto3St = digitalRead(Opto3); //Read Optical Switch 2
if (Opto1St == true && Opto2St == true && Opto3St == true)  //Determine if the joystick is in the center
{
  LockedStUD = false;   //Unlatch to allow Up or Down to assume control
  UpSt = false;         //Clear Up State
  DnSt = false;         //Clear Down State
  UpDnPos = 3;          //Set Vertical position to center
}
//Latch Direction (Determines if up or down
 if (Opto1St == false && LockedStUD == false)   //UP if True
      {
        UpSt = true;          //Set UP State to TRUE
        LockedStUD = true;    //We lock the State so DOWN can't Steal it!
      }
if (Opto3St == false && LockedStUD == false)    //DOWN if True
      {
        DnSt = true;        //Set DOWN State to TRUE
        LockedStUD = true;  //We lock the State so UP can't Steal it!
      }
//We will figure out what row we are in (0 to 6 - 3 is center)
if (UpSt == true) //Up doesn't need any change since adding the Optical Switches is 0 to 2
{
  UpVal = Opto1St + Opto2St + Opto3St;
  UpDnPos = UpVal;
}
if (DnSt == true)     //For Down, we determine how many Optical Switches are Low, add them up then use a look-up table to generate the position 4 to 6
{
  DnVal = Opto1St + Opto2St + Opto3St;
  switch (DnVal) {
  case 0:      //All Optos are LOW
      UpDnPos = 6;
  break;
  case 1:     //Two of the Optos are LOW    
      UpDnPos = 5;
  break;
  case 2:    //One of the Optos are LOW (The others are still High)  
      UpDnPos = 4;
  break;
  }
}

// Left/Right Logic
Opto4St = digitalRead(Opto4); //Read Optical Switch 4
Opto5St = digitalRead(Opto5); //Read Optical Switch 5
Opto6St = digitalRead(Opto6); //Read Optical Switch 6
if (Opto4St == true && Opto5St == true && Opto6St == true)  //Determine if the joystick is in the center
{
  LockedStLR = false;   //Unlatch to allow Left or Right to assume control
  LtSt = false;         //Clear Left State
  RtSt = false;         //Clear Right State
  LtRtPos = 3;          //Set Horizontal position to center
}
//Latch Direction (Determines if Left or Right
 if (Opto4St == false && LockedStLR == false)   //Right if True
      {
        RtSt = true;          //Set Right State to TRUE
        LockedStLR = true;    //We lock the State so Left can't Steal it!
      }
if (Opto6St == false && LockedStLR == false)    //Left if True
      {
        LtSt = true;        //Set Left State to TRUE
        LockedStLR = true;  //We lock the State so Right can't Steal it!
      }
//We will figure out what row we are in (0 to 6 - 3 is center)
if (LtSt == true) //Up doesn't need any change since adding the Optical Switches is 0 to 2
{
  LtVal = Opto4St + Opto5St + Opto6St;
  LtRtPos = LtVal;
}
if (RtSt == true)     //For Down, we determine how many Optical Switches are Low, add them up then use a look-up table to generate the position 4 to 6
{
  RtVal = Opto4St + Opto5St + Opto6St;
  switch (RtVal) {
  case 0:      //All Optos are LOW
      LtRtPos = 6;
  break;
  case 1:     //Two of the Optos are LOW    
      LtRtPos = 5;
  break;
  case 2:    //One of the Optos are LOW (The others are still High)  
      LtRtPos = 4;
  break;
  }
}
//Calculate the absolute position
AbsPos = (UpDnPos * 7) + LtRtPos;
   //Serial.println(AbsPos);
  //Output 
  //UP
   if (UpOut[AbsPos] == true){
    pinMode(Up,OUTPUT); 
    digitalWrite(Up,LOW);
   }
   else {
    pinMode(Up,INPUT);
   }
    //Down
   if (DnOut[AbsPos] == true){
    pinMode(Dn,OUTPUT); 
    digitalWrite(Dn,LOW);
   }
   else {
    pinMode(Dn,INPUT);
   }
   //Left
   if (LtOut[AbsPos] == true){
    pinMode(Left,OUTPUT); 
    digitalWrite(Left,LOW);
   }
   else {
    pinMode(Left,INPUT);
   }
   //Right
   if (RtOut[AbsPos] == true){
    pinMode(Right,OUTPUT); 
    digitalWrite(Right,LOW);
   }
   else {
    pinMode(Right,INPUT);
   }
}