AH 64D Apache MPD (for DCS)

Glad you're checking out this project. Hope you like it!

This model is a detailed replica of an MPD (Multi-Purpose Display) panel from the AH-64 Apache and was specifically developed for use in DCS. A particular focus was on the simplest possible implementation: by using an I2C system and the provided code, the panel can be used almost Plug & Play after a one-time setup – no programming knowledge is required.

Assembly and wiring require some patience and careful work, but are also well manageable for beginners:

The holder in the picture is currently still in the refinement phase, but will follow soon.

A 0.2mm nozzle is needed to print the "special buttons" with inscriptions (if desired). Alternatively, a version without inscription can also be printed, and the inscription printed on paper and then glued on (see documentation (available upon request) ).

What is needed

• 31 simple buttons  (quite cheap 100 pieces about 5 Euros, Link Here)

• 2 Adafruit MCP23017(s) (Link HERE)

• 1 Arduino Pro Micro (Link HERE)

•  2 Potentiometers (B10k) (Link Amazon Here Link Aliexpress Here)

• 8 M3 screws (max. width 6mm, min. length 16mm, max length 21mm)
• many thin wires

Assembly

1.

Print Print Plate 2 and insert the buttons and potentiometers. Then wire everything as shown in Picture 1 (Here, nothing needs to be wired to Arduino or MCPs yet; it's just about having one end already wired). Black means GND and Blue means it will be wired to Arduino or MCPs (see Picture 2 Pins field) (Positions in the Blue Field don't matter). ATTENTION: for the potentiometers, the middle pin is the signal pin and is not connected to an MCP, but to Pin A0/A1 of the Arduino. Furthermore, the GND on a potentiometer is connected to the left output (picture above), i.e., the one with the holder whatever, and VCC to the right output (red marked Picture 1). In Picture 2, fields of MCPs 1/2 are labeled with GND and/or VCC; GND/VCC also needs to be routed here (VCC and VIN are the same).

2.

Print Plate 3. You can now place the previous part on the part from the 3rd print plate to better estimate the distance to the MCPs / Arduino (it must not be too long, otherwise it will be very very veeeery difficult to squeeze it into the frame later, but also not too short). Then you can wire it. (as seen in Picture 2)

Next, I would first do a test to see if everything works. To do this, simply copy the code (see documentation) from the .txt file and upload it to the Arduino using a program of your choice. ATTENTION, 2 libraries are needed, namely

Joystick                                                         @^2.1.1       from   mheironimus

Adafruit MCP23017 Arduino Library      @^2.3.2        from   adafruit

I could not find the Joystick Library in Arduino IDE, which is why I used VS Code.

(If you don't know how to do it, there are thousands of videos about it on YouTube, so I won't explain it further here.)

e.g.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ2lsSuXvVU       for installation and code

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pSVzV4PdiA       for adding libraries

once the code is on the Arduino, unplug the cable from the Arduino and plug it back in; it didn't work for me without doing that. Then open the search bar and search for "Set up USB game controllers". An "Arduino Micro" device should now appear there. If not, it could be because the cable you are using is a charge-only cable and cannot transmit data, or something in the code / wiring is faulty. If every button and potentiometer works correctly, you can proceed to the next step.

4.

Now you can print the buttons (different plate depending on whether you use a 0.2 nozzle or not), the frame (Plate 1) and the parts on Print Plate 4 and insert them into the correct positions in the frame. Next, we want to assemble all parts, but first I would advise you to place the parts from Print Plate 2/3 on top of each other and glue them together. I used some Scotch tape for this. What is also very important is to attach the Arduino to the part of Plate 3; for this, I again used Scotch tape. And then you can assemble it and screw it together with the 8 screws from the front.

„MPD online. Systems ready.“

Here are a few more pictures of my wiring

Plans

Currently, I am working on a holder for the MPD, which should allow it to be easily attached to a table edge. I am also working on other panels for the Apache