The interaction between Arduino and a PlayStation 2 controller is incredibly interesting for robotics and automation projects. The PS2 wireless controller is a versatile and very inexpensive controller, capable of offering a variety of analog and digital inputs. Although it may seem like a complex task at first, the integration of these two systems is quite affordable thanks to different libraries and tools that have already been developed to facilitate the process.
A wireless PS2 controller is an ergonomic and inexpensive option for controlling robots, 4×4 vehicles, or any type of project where smooth and convenient remote control is required. Using this controller with Arduino is a solution that many hobbyists choose, as it is not only inexpensive, but provides a highly precise control experience thanks to its two analog sticks and a set of 14 buttons.
Advantages of using a PS2 controller with Arduino
One of the main advantages of ps2 controller is that it is wireless, allowing you to equip your projects with mobility without the limitation of cables. In addition, it is very comfortable to use thanks to its ergonomic design optimized for long gaming sessions, making it perfect for controlling robots or other devices for extended periods of time without affecting precision or responsiveness.
Another important aspect is the cost. A clone PS2 controller can be purchased for less than 10€. For this price, you get a controller with a large number of buttons and analog inputs, making it a tremendously attractive option for remote control projects.
To integrate this remote with Arduino, in addition to the remote itself and the receiver, it is common to use a logic level converter that allows to adjust the 3,3V signals of the PS2 controller to the 5V that Arduino works with in most of its versions.
Necessary materials
- Wireless PS2 ControllerA clone of this remote costs between €9 and €10.
- wireless receiver for the remote control, usually included in the package.
- Logic level converterThis is necessary since Arduino operates at 5V and the PS2 controller works with 3,3V signals.
- Arduino. You can use any model, such as the Arduino Uno, Mega or Mini.
- Protoboard and cables to make the connections between the receiver and the Arduino.
Connections and assembly
The wireless receiver that comes with the PS2 controller is the key piece for communication between the two. This component connects to the Arduino through a series of pins, which vary by receiver, but typically include the pins of power (5V and GND), data, clock and other aids such as the attention pin or vibration.
An important recommendation is not to rely on the colour code of the cables, as this can vary depending on the manufacturer. It is best to use a multimeter to check the function of each one of them, which will avoid possible errors in the connection.
Once you have correctly identified the pins, you can use a protoboard to solder or connect the different signals to the Arduino, or if you prefer to mount everything compactly, you can also solder the cables directly to the receiver, always making sure that the connections are correct.
It is very important to use a logic level converter Since, as mentioned, the PS2 controller works at 3,3V, while most Arduino boards operate at 5V, this converter will allow both systems to “talk” to each other without causing damage.
Configuration and library for the PS2 controller
To control the PS2 controller with Arduino, there is a core library called PS2X_lib, created by Bill Porter, which makes the use of this type of controller much easier. This software will allow you to manage all the signals that the controller sends through its wireless receiver.
The installation of this library is very simple and you can find it at GitHub. Once downloaded and installed in your Arduino development environment, you can start working with it.
The next step will be to configure the pins in the Arduino code. You will need to make sure that you define the pins correctly. clock, command, data y attention which correspond to the inputs and outputs of your Arduino. This is vital, as incorrect pin assignment can cause the controller to not respond correctly.
The following code snippet shows how to configure these pins:
#include
PS2X ps2x; // crear la clase para el mando PS2
int error; // variable para errores
#define PS2_CLK 34
#define PS2_CMD 24
#define PS2_ATT 32
#define PS2_DAT 22
// Configuramos los pines para el mando
error = ps2x.config_gamepad(PS2_CLK, PS2_CMD, PS2_ATT, PS2_DAT, true, true);Once the pins are configured, you can start reading the signals that the controller sends through code. The library provides specific methods to check if a button has been pressed, as well as to obtain the values analog of the controller's joysticks.
Button reading
El ps2 controller It has up to 14 buttons, distributed between the front and back of the controller. To read the front and back buttons you can use the following code:
if (ps2x.Button(PSB_PAD_UP)) {
Serial.println("Arriba");
} else if (ps2x.Button(PSB_PAD_DOWN)) {
Serial.println("Abajo");
} else if (ps2x.Button(PSB_PAD_LEFT)) {
Serial.println("Izquierda");
} else if (ps2x.Button(PSB_PAD_RIGHT)) {
Serial.println("Derecha");
}In addition to the directional buttons, you can read the activation of action buttons such as the Circle, X, Square and Triangle, similarly.
Reading Joysticks
The analog joysticks The PS2 controller's joysticks provide continuous values that you can use to move motors or control the direction and speed of a robot, for example. Values range from 0 to 255, with 127 being the central value when the joysticks are at rest.
int LX = ps2x.Analog(PSS_LX);
int LY = ps2x.Analog(PSS_LY);
int RX = ps2x.Analog(PSS_RX);
int RY = ps2x.Analog(PSS_RY);
Serial.print("Stick Values: ");
Serial.print(LX);Serial.print(",");
Serial.print(LY);Serial.print(",");
Serial.print(RX);Serial.print(",");
Serial.println(RY);With these values you can control the speed of the motors depending on how much pressure is applied to the control levers.
Practical examples
Control a 4×4 robot rover with a PS2 controller is a classic example of the applications of this type of controllers. This setup becomes especially easy with a Arduino Mega, as it offers more pins and more memory, allowing you to manage multiple motors and sensors at the same time.
The following code shows a basic example of how to control a rover using the directional buttons on the controller:
void loop() {
ps2x.read_gamepad();
if (ps2x.Button(PSB_PAD_UP)) {
avance();
} else if (ps2x.Button(PSB_PAD_DOWN)) {
retroceso();
} else if (ps2x.Button(PSB_PAD_LEFT)) {
giroIzquierda();
} else if (ps2x.Button(PSB_PAD_RIGHT)) {
giroDerecha();
} else {
paro();
}
}This is a simple example of how the different buttons on the controller can control the movement of the vehicle, but the use of joysticks would allow for smoother and more precise movements, controlling both the direction and speed of the robot.
With proper integration and configuration, this controller becomes a powerful tool for controlling almost any Arduino-based electronic project.
combine a playstation 2 controller With Arduino, it opens up a wide range of possibilities for controlling robot projects, automated systems, or even simpler systems such as robotic arms. The large number of buttons and the precision of the joysticks make this controller an excellent choice for those looking to add remote control to their builds with an ergonomic and familiar interface.