Terminology & Definitions

NorAir Frame basic notions and jargon

OBCS (On-Board Computer System)

The On-Board Computer System (OBCS) is a computer system that manages communications and interfaces between a serial device and a joystick device with a user computer. It comprises the C-PORT and the J-PORT.

C-PORT (Communications Port)

The C-Port, short for Communications Port, is a component of the OBCS. It is a high-speed serial port that connects the OBCS to a computer via a USB port.

J-PORT (Joystick Port)

The J-Port serves as an interface to an internally managed joystick as part of the OBCS, supporting 200 joystick buttons and nine axes. It has its own processor for fast performance and includes a highly efficient button management engine that allows, among other functions, the control of button behavior, manipulation or retrieval of their logical states. As an OBCS component, the J-Port is accessed through the OBCS. Therefore, even if no peripheral is attached to the OBCS, one can interact with the J-Port independently. When the terms "J-Port" or "Joystick" are used, they may be perceived as the same entity since they are part of the same hardware. Similarly to peripherals, the J-Port is accessible through the same messaging system to perform actions, configurations or report useful data. It is a quick and versatile system with an easy interface. Additionally, the J-Port has an enumeration process used for J-Port dedicated peripherals like the Servo Controlled Throttle. This procedure is similar, if not identical, to that of the OBCS.

RNS (Radio & Navigation System)

The Radio & Navigation System (RNS) is a peripheral that comprises a stack of instruments connected to the OBCS. It includes a COMM, NAV, ADF and a transponder. Additionally, their encoder push-buttons can be mapped and accessed as joystick buttons. A hardware display management system is implemented, allowing users to adjust its brightness.

MBx24 (Modules Bay)

The Modules Bay (MBx24) is a bay designed for input and/or output modules. This peripheral supports up to 24 modules, such as switches and annunciators. It features 32 output connectors, 32 input connectors for attaching modules and 32 VICe connectors. It also accommodates up to eight encoders and sixteen 7-segment display digits.

WALL – Broadcasting Messages

Whenever it is necessary to communicate with all peripherals simultaneously, a WALL message is used. This broadcast messaging system allows the delivery of the same message to all peripherals. For instructions such as resets or backlit color settings, this is very useful and avoids the need to instruct each peripheral individually.

Serial Numbers - Decomposition and Meaning

The first two digits of a serial number represent the type of hardware to handle. For example, if a serial number is "3123456789," the first two digits, "31", designate it as a RNS peripheral (Radio & Navigation System). This provides a simple and quick way to access a peripheral without requiring additional communication or other methods to determine the hardware model.

Enumeration of Peripherals

Peripheral enumeration is the registration process of a peripheral's serial number in the OBCS. When enumerating a peripheral, the user supplies an "ID" for communication purposes, allowing the peripheral to be accessed by this ID in a clean and simple way.

Peripherals ID

The "ID" is the "callsign" of a peripheral. After properly enumerating a peripheral in the OBCS, the peripheral will ONLY be recognized by its ID number. This ID number is set to a default but can be changed to a more convenient one. Although two identical peripherals could be present, each one will be reached by its individual ID.

For instance, if an RNS with serial number "3123456789" and another RNS with serial number "3122233344" are present, the first can have the callsign or ID 31, and the second can have ID 32. This shortens communication time and length and simplifies hardware handling. Valid IDs are between 21 and 98.

All others are reserved and WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY OBCS HARDWARE and may generate errors and/or issues during enumeration.

ID	Description
10	J-Port (Reserved)
15	Throttle
31	RNS
35	Autopilot
50	MBx24
99	C-Port & OBCS (Reserved)

Table 1 - The default IDs

Connectors

Connectors are the physical components where hardware, such as switches or LED modules, can be connected. Additionally, connectors may be virtualized as they may not physically exist. In either case, they are considered the same type and possess identical functionalities. Both have a local number associated with a specific peripheral, and their behavior can be configured. To avoid confusion, it is important to remember that they are not joystick buttons. Each connector must be assigned a joystick button number to be recognizable by the J-PORT engine.

VICe Connections

VICe, or Virtual Inverted Connector Enhancement, is a highly useful virtual tool provided by some peripherals. It allows users to associate a physical connector with a virtual one that assumes the inverse logic state of the first. If the physical connector is ON, the virtual one will be OFF, and vice versa. This feature conserves physical connectors when simulation software requires a joystick button to activate a feature and another to deactivate it. A VICe connection is automatically enabled when it is associated with a joystick button.

Example of a VICe connection:

MBx24 Physical Connector Number	Assigned Joystick Button Number	Logic State	MBx24 VICe Connector Number	Assigned Joystick Button Number	Logic State
20	70	OFF	20	101	ON
5	55	ON	5	117	OFF
14	64	ON	14	95	OFF

A physical connector and its VICe connector share the same connector number but are assigned different joystick button numbers..