Plug-n-play USB Gamepad adapter for 6 channel RC Transmitter PPM output

This sketch turns Arduino Leonardo (Pro Micro) or any other ATmega32U4 based *duino clone into a plug-n-play DirectX compatible USB Gamepad adapter for 6 channel RC Transmitter PPM output. The adapter can be used to play FreeRider FPV (http://fpv-freerider.itch.io/fpv-freerider), aerofly RC 7 (http://www.aeroflyrc.com/) or other flight simulators.

Warning

Do not flash non ATmega32U4 MCU's with this sketch. It wont do any harm but will not work.

Features

6 channels PPM input
Compatible with any RC transmitter with PPM output (only first 6 channels used)
Interrupt driven 0.5 uS accuracy
Low jitter
4 axis USB Gamepad (X,Y,Z,Z rotation) + 2 sliders
1000 points resolution
Plug-n-play
DirectX compatible

Connections

RC PPM out <--> Digital Pin 4 of Arduino Leonardo (Pro Micro)
RC GND <--> Arduino GND

This sketch uses Timer1 ICP1 interrupt so connection to Digital pin 4 is mandatory.

Flashing

Open the sketch in Arduino IDE, choose Leonardo board, upload.

Usage

In Windows: open Devices and Printers find Arduino Leonardo. Then right click on it and choose Game controller settings. Calibrate joystick using your RC Transmitter connected.

Tested with FlySky(Turnigy) FS-i6 transmitter, aerofly RC 7 simulator and FreeRider FPV. FlySky FS-i6 flashed with 10 channels firmware. On the trainer port it transmits only 6 channels. Note: consider turning on Trainer mode in the RC configuration menu. It wont stop RC from binding and transmitting, but can prevent your aircraft from flying away accidentally. You can remap AUX1 and AUX2 dials to switches in RC configuration.