Reading a FlySky FS-i6x joystick

The RC signal is read from specific pins on a microcontroller, and the code then outputs the duty cycle value of the signal. We’ll learn how to read our B Switch, or the Top Left switch of the controller. This is a simple 2 way switch that returns either off or on.

You’ll see that much of the code is the same as the joystick learning, the only difference is that we are reading a 2 way switch instead of a 0-100 analog joystick.

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Download the py file

'''Basic RC Analog input Control
Outputs one toggle switches. SWB (Channel 5) 
SWB is a 2 way toggle switch. On/Off

'''

import time
import board
from rc import RCReceiver

rc = RCReceiver(ch1=board.D10, ch2=board.D11, ch3=None, ch4=None, ch5=board.D12, ch6=board.D13)

# Main code
while True:
    # Read channels
    channel_5 = rc.read_channel(5)
    if channel_5 is not None: # must not be None to do something with the output
        print("Channel 5:", channel_5)
    
    rc.ensure_cycle()  # Maintains sync with our 20ms cycle every loop iteration

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Code Breakdown

Most of the code is the same as in the joystick tutorial. If you’ve forgotten how to initilize the rc instance, the import statements, or what variables we are initiallizing, go back there now.

Main Code Loop

This is the main part of our script where we continuously read and print the values from the RC receiver.

# Main code
while True:
    # Read channels
    channel_5 = rc.read_channel(5)
    if channel_5 is not None: # must not be None to do something with the output
        print("Channel 5:", channel_5)
    
    rc.ensure_cycle()  # Maintains sync with our 20ms cycle every loop iteration

• Reading Channels:
  • channel_5 = rc.read_channel(5): Reads the value from channel 5, our Switch B
    • This will return either a 0 if the switch is off (down) or a 1 if the switch is on (up)

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