Steel Battalion Controller Converter

[Ryzee119 181]

Hi all,

I'm wanting to emulate the Steel Battalion Controller and to allow use of a keyboard or joystick or some other configuration which I haven't worked out yet.

Just wondering if anyone owns a Steel Battalion Controller, a >24Mhz Logic analyser, a sense of adventure and is willing to help me out!?

The information online which I have found so far is pretty limited, There's a small section at the bottom of Please login or register to see this link.  but it is missing the rest of the interface descriptor and also doesn't have any information about the XID descriptor and capability descriptors allowing the Xbox to actually detect anything with my basic testing. (Maybe it doesn't even have them? I'm not sure yet)

What I am looking for in the first instance is:

1. A complete USB descriptor dump of the Steel Battalion Controller when plugged into a PC using something like Please login or register to see this link.

2..A Logic analyser trace of the USB data bus with the controller plugged into the OG Xbox console, probably within the Steel Battalion game or during the first 10-20 seconds of the game loading up. I'm a bit more familiar with the Saleae logic analyser software but I can probably work out whatever. But ideally it needs to be able to decode USB packets and control transfers. You can get Saleae clones for under $10 Please login or register to see this link.

3. I will take care of the rest unless I find something unusual and need further info.

I've never actually used or owned one of these controllers so any input to what a good controller configuration on a keyboard/joystick might be would help but getting it detected on the OG Xbox console is the first milestone!

Obviously can't guarantee anything, but the intent is that it would be compatible with Please login or register to see this link.

Cheers!

[neighbor 84]

Oh shi... Ryzee wish you luck, a keyboard and a mouse would be a nice combo I guess, never actually played Steel Battalion

screenshot taken from .Please login or register to see this link.

 

Edited February 6 by neighbor

[neighbor 84]

screenshot

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Edited February 6 by neighbor

[PV544 13]

I have a steel battalion controller and am willing to help.  I do have the cable to hook the SB controller to the PC.  I do not have a Logic analyser..

[Ryzee119 181]

 

6 hours ago, PV544 said:

I have a steel battalion controller and am willing to help.  I do have the cable to hook the SB controller to the PC.  I do not have a Logic analyser..

Anything is a start! 🤣 thank you

8 hours ago, neighbor said:

screenshot taken from Please login or register to see this link. .Please login or register to see this link.

Oh nice. The manual will atleast give me an idea of what all the buttons do! Definitely will give it a skim

[PV544 13]

Do you want to to buy the Logic analyser that you have a link for?

[PV544 13]

How would you emulate the two sticks with a keyboard and a mouse?

[Ryzee119 181]

23 minutes ago, PV544 said:

Do you want to to buy the Logic analyser that you have a link for?

If you are able to just plug it into your PC and get the USB descriptor that would be a good start

[neighbor 84]

yeah buddy, get that piece. Not everyday you'll meet an enthusiast like Ryzee, and there will be a lot more people wishing to play online Steel Battalion with you 
edit: soundtrack of the thread
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Edited February 6 by neighbor

[Ryzee119 181]

With the logic analyzer you'd need a way to tap into the data bus aswell. Just something to keep in mind.

May involve opening the xbox up and getting behind the controller port to access some exposed conductors or hacking into an extension lead.

 

[PV544 13]

I can defenetly do that.  I will order the analyzer.  I will be on vacation until the 20th of February.  I can start after that.  How do you pm me directly?

[PV544 13]

The controller tester app does not recognize any key presses from the SB controller.

[Ryzee119 181]

6 minutes ago, PV544 said:

The controller tester app does not recognize any key presses from the SB controller.

Yep I expected as much. Thanks for the feedback though. Good to know for sure.

I believe the reason is that the type and subtype in the xid descriptor are different than a standard controller. These are used to distinguish between an s controller, Duke controller and steering wheel etc. These can be obtained from the USB analyzer

I wonder if a steering wheel detects inputs in the controller test program 🤔

[PV544 13]

I have a steering wheel.  I have never checked it on the controller tester.  I will, once I get back from vacation.

[Kekule 43]

I have a controller being shipped to me soon, and assuming it works I have all the equipment to get you what you need.

[Ryzee119 181]

6 hours ago, PV544 said:

I have a steering wheel.  I have never checked it on the controller tester.  I will, once I get back from vacation.

That's awesome. Thank you, it all will help. Enjoy your vacation 😁

 

3 hours ago, Kekule said:

I have a controller being shipped to me soon, and assuming it works I have all the equipment to get you what you need.

Perfect! Thank you. Hopefully it works and look forward to seeing some test results! 

[neighbor 84]

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[neighbor 84]

two answers from Xlink Kai Family, and link to Please login or register to see this link.

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[Ryzee119 181]

Thanks. Yea I looked at Cxbx reloaded source code and as I mentioned the xboxdev wiki is incomplete but a very good start.

This is straight out of the cxbx reloaded source code. Admittedly I haven't actually installed the emulator and tried it. So maybe I should give it a shot!

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Edited February 8 by Ryzee119

[neighbor 84]

just an idea passing by:
- xbox 360 controller for both sticks and other controls required during action (D-pad for pedals with toggle function, click UP to increase acceleration, click down to decrease / gear switch)
- USB keyboard for other buttons which had no room to be assigned on the controller.

Edited February 8 by neighbor

[Ryzee119 181]

lol. There is actually a bit more info on the steel battalion in Cxbx source code, it just has a spelling error so I missed it in my searches 

Edit: I have the game detecting inputs!

Edited February 8 by Ryzee119

[Ryzee119 181]

In game with a Wireless Xbox 360 Controller. Totally unplayable at the moment but just a proof of concept. Just a matter of mapping buttons and adding a keyboard in.

Still need to check alot of stuff but definitely making progress!

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[neighbor 84]

omg, sweet!!1

edit

another idea passing by:
- maybe there is a way to implement Xbox 360 Chatpad to this, I mean - it won't require another USB port.

 

Edited February 8 by neighbor

[PV544 13]

I like that idea.

[Ryzee119 181]

Me too I think I need to go pick up  a chat pad and work out how that works