MyGamepad

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Introduction

MyGamepad is a do it yourself (DIY) input device designed for gaming and especially optimized for FPS games. It is a combination of different input devices, such as keyboard and controller and supports:

1. 25 keys. 

   • Finger 1 with 6 keys.

   • Finger 2 with 5 keys.

   • Finger 3 with 5 keys.

   • Finger 4 with 6 keys.

   • Thumb with 3 keys. 

2. 5 Way-DPAD stick with center button.

3. Analog stick with 12-bit A/D precision and center button.

4. A display to show the key and stick assignments, switch profiles and do calibration.  

Each key and stick direction can be assigned a function of the different kind of input devices. The assignments can be modified through a web-interface and is stored in the internal memory of the device. It can hold up the 20 profiles, furthermore it’s also possible to transfer configurations through the web-interface to PC or Mac.

It's very versatile and has plenty of options to adjust the hardware configuration to support individual hand sizes and preferred handling positions. The device is designed to be used with the left hand in combination with a mouse operated with the right hand.

MyGamepad will be connected through a free USB 2.0 port to the computer or console. It does not require any driver or other software being installed on PC, Mac or console. However, on some devices and games the functionally might be limited, e.g. on console the controller functions (e.g. analog movement or typical X/Y Buttons) cannot be utilized, because the device will be recognized as keyboard only. However, the analog stick input could be used in games with keyboard support to emulate WASD key mappings. 

The web-interface for configuration requires a web browser such as Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Edge or mobile device browser.

More information on: https://www.mygamepad.de

If you like, you can also join us on Discord. 

Includes

• All 3D print model files

• Gerber files for online PCB production

• Software files for micro controllers

• Detailed and comprehensive print, assembly and user manual

Required hardware

I tried to use commonly available and standard components at reasonable cost where possible without compromising on the overall quality and performance

All components are online available and can be ordered through eBay, Amazon, AliExpress or other online shops. A detailed bill of materiel including a sourcing hints is included in the assembly manual. A rough estimation for all components will be around 100-150€. Depending on your region, shopping preferences, bundling and availability the overall cost might vary. Please keep in might that some components might not be available to purchase as single items.

If you want to go for a budget version you can save approximately 20€ by not using the proposed JST PH 2.0 connectors and cables and solder the wires directly on to the main PCB instead, but I would not recommend this. The wires you could take from an old LAN patch cable. 

Remark: In case you do not need controller features and want to used the anlog stick only for WASD keyboard mapping you do not need the Teensy 4.0 MC and also the USB hub is not required. You can use a singe USB-C to USB-A cable instead. This will reduce the material cost by approx. 35€. It can also be added later. 

• 1 x Arduino Nano ESP32

• 1 x Teensy 4.0 (optional for controller features)

• 1 x bestep® 4 Port Mini USB Hub (optional for controller features)

• 1 x WaveShare 2.4 inch LCD Display 240x320

• 1 x Main PBC (based on included Gerber-file)

• 1 x Thumb stick PCB (based on included Gerber-file)

• 1 x USB-A Cable

• 1 x USB-C Male Connector

• 1 x Micro-USB Male Connector

• 2 x MCP23017

• 2 x Resister 10KΩ

• 26 x Cherry Key Low Profile

• 1 x PS4 Analog-Stick (resistor or Hall effect version)

• 1 x PS4 Thumb-Stick Cap

• 1 x Five way/multi direction switch

• 3 x 4 Pin JST PH2.0

• 1 x 5 Pin JST PH2.0

• 2 x 6 Pin JST PH2.0

• 2 x 7 Pin JST PH2.0

• 1 x 8 Pin JST PH2.0

• 1 x 10 Pin JST PH2.0

• 3 x 4 Pin JST PH2.0 with Cable AWG28 10 cm

• 1 x 5 Pin JST PH2.0 with Cable AWG28 20 cm

• 2 x 6 Pin JST PH2.0 with Cable AWG28 30 cm

• 2 x 7 Pin JST PH2.0 with Cable AWG28 30 cm

• 1 x 8 Pin JST PH2.0 with Cable AWG28 30 cm

• 1 x 10 Pin JST PH2.0 with Cable AWG28 30 cm

• 1 x Blank single core wire 60 cm

• 1 x Cable fabric hose 4-5 mm x 100 cm

• 1 x Heat-shrink tube 3 mm x 30 cm

• 1 x Heat-shrink tube 4 mm x 20 cm

• 1 x Heat-shrink tube 10 mm x 10 cm

• 10 x Rubberfeed 12,7 x 3,5 mm (e.g. 3M Bumpons SJ 5012)

• 24 x Threaded insert M2*3*3.5

• 38 x Square Thin Nut M3 (DIN 562 or similar)

• 10 x Screw M1.4 x 4 mm

• 27 x Countersunk head screw M2 x 12 mm

• 13 x Screw M2 x 8 mm

• 20 x Screw M2 x 6 mm

• 4 x Countersunk head screw M3 x 4 mm

• 2 x Screw M3 x 8 mm

• 15 x Screw M3 x 10 mm

• 17 x Screw M3 x 12 mm

Open detail view 

Great news: taja-elektonik has created in their web-shop a special MyGamepad category where you can easily order some of the parts. They are experts in connectors so the focus is on the JST PH pin header and connectors with AWG 28 cables as well as the USB cable. Unfortunately the shop supports currently only German language, but Google translate might help. International shipping is possible.

Required tools

• Soldering iron

• Soldering tip for threaded inserts M2 and M2.5

• Screwdriver (depending on used screws)

• Allen Key 1.3 mm & 2.0 mm (depending on used screws)

• Torx T8/10 key (depending on used screws)

• Wire cutting pliers

• Piliers

• Cutter

• Tool to strip wires

• Tweezers

• Heat gun (optional)

Printing

I recommend printing the parts in PETG. However, the best look and feel can be archived with Prusament PETG Carbon Fiber and Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber. The Model used on photos is printed in Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber. 

Printing all part requires approx. 450 g of filament. Total print time on a Prusa XL with having all parts on one plate is approx. 30h. But I would recommend to print in smaller groups.  Minimum size of print-bed is approx. 15 x 15 cm. 

Assembly

The level of difficulty for the build is medium with a focus on soldering. Therefore the total build and  assembly-time is around 5-8h depending on your soldering skill. A Step by step guide is provided.

Software & programming

The firmware for the microcontrollers will be provided as binary for free. Uploading the firmware to program the micro controller requires a Mac or PC with Arduino IDE/Teensyduino software installed. Wikis on how to install those development tools are available on the respective websites and YouTube.

Firmware and Assembly Guide 

Update change log

Open Change log 

Final remark

Of course you can also do your own PCBs and/or firmware or even use a different micro controller, just utilizing the 3D models. The model is designed for Cherry low profile keys. The analog stick housing is optimised for PS4 analog stick with resistor or hall effect version.