Hi
@GLS ! Will the IDP/GCS revamp allows finally to have different GCSs in different status, having the voting system modeled, and the possibility to link each IDP to different GCSs or to none as in FG Shuttle?
Hmm, GCS = GPC?
Anyway, the current work is focused on the data flow from the GPCs to the IDPs. This will drive the GPC, IDP and MDU (and HUD) implementations forward. How much forward is still open... I obviously want things to improve, but I have to "contain" the work, otherwise it will just continue, and continue....
I'm currently working the software in the GPC, to generate the signals which then get sent to the displays, as well as being used by GNC. Lots of new modules and variables, which move the "cheating" further back: instead of having a display call the Orbiter API directly for, e.g., the current velocity, that is now done a couple of modules before, and from there to the display everything is as it should be. This will make it easier to eventually introduce the N of GNC, as the "clients" will already have the correct interface.
In parallel, I'm doing some limited work in the IDP and MEDS displays, but I'm kind of lost due to the unknowns in the IDP<-->MDU communication. I know the IDPs did the edge key and menu processing for the MDUs, but the format of the display data, and how much of it was in the MDU is unknown, so this part is currently in the back burner.
The current GPC layout will remain, as there are still many inputs and outputs to correct (this is part of that) before "detaching" the GPCs from Orbiter, and eventually having all 5. I moved away from them with the work in the dedicated displays, but the CRT displays will be a bit different-looking, as by using the buses to send the data to the IDP, a full refresh should no longer possible (only x amount of data can be sent on each cycle), so it will update "this" part, then "that" part, etc., but in the interest of time, might cheat this a bit.
For the IDP<-->MDU links, it will probably advance enough to have autonomous MDUs if the IDP is powered off. This is because what is displayed on each MDU depends on where it is located (e.g., if the CDR changes the ADI mode on the left, the right ADI should remain as the PLT left it), so a more advanced relationship is needed. But again, lots of unknowns in that part of the world, so let's see what happens.