[sci.electronics] Information wanted for Nintendo controllers and light sensors

erd@giza.cis.ohio-state.edu (Ethan R Dicks) (03/11/91)

I have been working with adapting Nintendo controllers, such as the PowerGlove
and the UForce, to the Amiga.  I would like to interface some sort of light-
pen like device, like the Nintendo gun or the LaserScope, but I have no idea
how they work.  I do know that ordinary controllers send back an 8-bit status,
under clock control of the controller (UP,DOWN,LEFT,RIGHT,A,B,SELECT,START),
but how does a light gun work?

Also, a what rate does the Nintendo controller clock data in from its
controllers?  I do not mean the polling frequency, but rather, once a poll
has started, how quickly does it shift in the 8 bits?

Finally, does anyone have any detailed information about the configuration
switches on a UForce Infrared controller?  There are 4 switches, but only
5 or so documented combinations.  The people at Broderbund were no help; it
appears that all of the personnel who ever worked on the UForce at Broderbund
were laid off, and no one still their knows much about it except what is in
the manual.

Thanks for the info,
-ethan

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