Posted on by Petri Vainio

Xplane and SIMVIM: Firmware upload to Arduino Mega

This guide will show you how to install SIMVIM firmware to Arduino Mega to be used on a home cockpit. For more information about hardware and SIMVIM Xplane -plugin visit: www.simvim.com

Components needed:

  • Arduino Mega
  • USB cable

Software needed:

  • Xplane 11.30
  • SIMVIM 0.9.33
  • This guide was done with Windows but it should work also in Ubuntu

Note if using Ubuntu! purge “modemmanager” program if not needed. It reserves Arduino Mega USB port when connected to a PC and SimVim firmware upload does not succeed. You might also need to eject USB before upload can be achieved.

Wiring:

Arduino Mega with USB cable to PC. (Do not connect it now!)

How to install SimVimCokcpit plugin:

Download SimVimCockpit plugin from https://www.patreon.com/simvim.

Extract it and copy SimVim folder to Xplane plugins folder
(…/X-Plane 11/Resources/plugins).

Check that plugins starts with X-plane. Start a plane in Xplane and look for SimVimCockpit from Xplanes Plugins drop down menu.

SimVimCokcpit plugin working in Xplane.

How to upload SimVimCokcpit Firmware to Arduino Mega:

In Xplane and plane running: Go to Plugins… SimVimCockpit… Firmaware upload…

From Firmware Upload window: Click “Next” button.
Plug in Arduino Mega with USB cable to PC and click “Detect port ->” button.
Now we are making a Master board so select correct settings and click “Upload” button. Wait for an empty black window to open. It is seen for a while when SimVimCockpit uploads hardware to Arduino.
When window closes, firmware upload should be ready and SimVimCockpit informs it “Upload attempt completed”
Go to Plugins… SimVimCokpit and click “Hardware Reconnect”. It reconnects Arduino.
Go to Plugins… SimVimCockpit… Status… You should now see your Arduino as connected device.