[ScorpiusWireless]

I was just thinking about the MPD, could it be used as a controller PCB?
Let’s check it out.
First of all we need micro, tick,
Next we need a throttle mechanism,  could we use a hall sensor and $2 magnet? We have data port 1 that accepts a hall sensor. Tick.
Next we need a lane change switch. We just added a switch a few weeks ago. Tick.
Next we need to access the screen menu. Not mandatory but nice to have. We could use the second data port and plug in an OLED screen. Tick.
Next we need a way to select reflash, reconfigure, change brake settings and select throttle map. We could use the same button when the controller is not sending throttle data, ie trigger not being used. Tick.
Lots of ticks there.


MPD is definitely suitable for the task. It really is a Multi Purpose Decoder. Will it happen? Who knows?

[ScorpiusWireless]

Ok I'm actually thinking of a kit you assemble. No soldering, all plug'n'play. Something you can do in under an hour and have some fun along the way.

Throttle control.
I would need a blank PCB at minimum to hold the trigger in position. And that is held by being clamped between the two halves of the controller casing being held together with bolts. To hold the hall sensor in exact position relative to the trigger it would also need to be mounted on the PCB. The trigger has a 4mm neo magnet installed in it. As the trigger moves the hall sensor reports the gauss reading. 

Decided to make this as basic as possible as I already have and am keeping the current Scorpius Controller that has all the top shelf functions. On that basis I decided to remove the screen. This saves modifying the casing plus the cost of the screen itself. This would suit Carrera Digital users the most, as all you need (and all you can have) is a 15 step throttle signal and a Lane Change signal. Thats it.


Now, lane changing. The second data port is used to send the lane change request to the nRF52832 processor. For Scorpius users the controller talks to the car direct. With Carrera it will talk to the Nitrous Dongle we have developed. The switch is mounted directly onto the PCB. Both the hall sensor and LC switch will have JST connectors. The data ports use I2C protocols. 
The LC switch will use 2 of the 4 wires, the hall sensors will use 3 of the 4 wires. Not the best solution but it enables use of the MPD, suits the budget and kit format requirements.


The MPD is attached to the main PCB with double sided tape supplied.

All hardware, PCB, MPD, trigger, neo magnet, bushes, pivot bolt, spring post, spring, maximum and minimum travel posts, battery holder, button cover, wired JST connectors, casing, casing stickers and wrist strap included. It would take around 60 minutes to assemble. 2 x AAA batteries are required. Tools required, small, long-nosed pliers and a small Phillips head screwdriver. No soldering or electronics knowledge required.

At the end of the day, it could be easier to make a specialised board specifically for this requirement. Time will tell.
For those not into assembling anything they still have the current controller to choose.


   

[ScorpiusWireless]

FedEx just dropped this. Good timing.
Looks like someone is gearing up for a production run of deluxe and budget controllers. And quite a few. 
   
   

[ScorpiusWireless]

Here's one with a potentiometer for sensitivity settings and/or brake settings.
I've just moved the switch to our dedicated "switch" we added for moments like these.
This frees up a data port where the pot connects via a 4 wire 28AWG JST cable.

Ideas for keeping this as low as possible pricewise is the pot, LC button could be mounted on the casing and the hall sensor hot glued to the PCB in a dedicated marked spot, eliminating most of the production process. This would mean the board would cost only a few dollars to produce, but means soldering, and no one wants to solder anymore so it will probably be the surface mounted option with all plug and play assembly.