Thanks! I have spent an awful lot of time on these projects over the last 4 or so years so I've had a bit of practice. Looking forward to moving on to some different types of projects once this is complete as I have heaps of stuff I want to do!
the experiments with touchpads are definitely interesting and valuable knowledge for anyone doing a similar project, or maybe even something very different.
Yeah I thought so too! There's very few DIY trackpad projects on UA-cam (and the internet in general) and even fewer making use of these azoteq modules. Its a shame, because it seems to be a great trackpad and has honestly been very easy to work with!
I saw your first vid on the zen deck and have been catching up and god this is cool! I love electrical engineering and I love how you make it easy to follow along
I am looking for the smallest touchpad with a joystick(USB), because I my hands do not have a good muscle moving. This project is very meaningful for me. Awesome. looking forward to the next video.
Sorry it's taken a while! Between trying to get the NucDeck finished, renovations and I got sick for a week in the middle of it all too. But I'm back on track now and aiming to smash through this design/build as fast as possible!
@@cncdan A: love that you are always trying, same here B: this is a super cool project, i am super interested in making my own portable and this will be super helpful C: dropping a sub this is actually useful and interesting for me, good job! the work is paying off
I have a cool project going on here. And I wish you the best as you continue to iterate and evolve the system. I had one question as a super novice along the hypothetical realm. Could it be theoretically possible to map this pad sensor's input to a HID controller Dpad direction instead of mouse input? Could it potentially be done?
Yeah, that's something you absolutely could do. The trackpad can report an overall X and Y co-ordinate which you could map sectors to buttons. I'm still working out the finer details of how the controls will all connect so I don't know if the trackpad will be integrated into the controller or if it will be its own seperate device yet. If it does get integrated I'll definitely look into some options like this!
This was one of my first thoughts as well. I had a look at some photos of a disassembled one and it looks like the track pad is all part of the keyboard PCB. No wonder they can make them so cheap!
Neat! I'm glad you tried insetting the trackpad, as that gives you a bit of flexibility. Trackpads are so handy on PC handhelds, letting you handle stuff not designed for handheld use, like in-game menus and Windows functions, just a bit better. I've even on occasion used a Trackpad instead of one of the joysticks for a tiny bit more precision in character control on my Steam Deck. Will the controller have mappings to let you use some of it's buttons as mouse buttons? I usually map one or two of the back flaps of the Steam Deck as mouse buttons in certain games.
Yeah that's definitely something that I should be able to do! I'd love to make a software controller configuration tool this time around. Can't make any promises but it would be handy to be able to remap the buttons by just opening a bit of software on the PC
Go for it! The TPS43 is very easy to work with and azoteq make a couple of larger models too. I'm considering buying one and making it into a nice standalone desktop trackpad with a machined aluminium housing. Would be handy for pen input in Photoshop etc!
Yeah I had a look at what Cirque has to offer, but it looks like all of their trackpads are round. I didn't think that would make a very good trackpad to use as a mouse pointer so I opted for the Azoteq ones instead!
dude so cool! I was thinking about adding trackpads in a future iternation of my(not as cool as yours) project. Seems people really want it for some reason lol
Not a dumb question, I considered both of these options already. Based on what I can gather from the documentation they provide on designing a track pad, the outer ground ring is fairly important to the function so if you trim it, it may not work. As for removing the IC, it may work but there is a fair bit of configuration required which I can't do without the programmer regardless. Being able to use an off the shelf product that anyone can just buy is my ideal outcome anyway so since I've been able to squeeze the TPS43 in I think I'll stick with it for now!
I would love if you linked the code you used in github! Both the code you have at the end of this video, and the code if you put more gesture controls in it
The reason I didn't is because I suspect Azoteq may not be fond of me reposting their entire sample code with only a handful of changes. I will be using this sensor in the project so once I have my own code written for it I will be sure to get it up on GitHub!
You could probably squeeze a USB 5G modem in there somewhere too if you wanted. As for the stylus, the display is capacitive so it should work with any stylus designed for a capacitive touch screen.
is there any way to "overclock" this to get higher than 100hz report rates? I'd be willing to spend up to 70 dollars on a part that would get 250hz+ for a single touch in this form factor
You absolutely could, but you'd need a custom solution for it. Basically you'd need a small microcontroller between the trackpad and the controller PCB. It would need to interpret the trackpad inputs and convert them to an analog voltage to feed back into the joystick pins of the controller. You could also watch for single touch events and map that to the center click of the joystick!
Yeah I'm not a fan of the waste either! Where I live it's quite humid, so often times by the time I'm getting to the end of a roll of filament it's really not printing very well. I usually use these roll ends for prints like this as well as running minimum wall thicknesses and infills. If I wasn't changing the shape of the controller I would just print buttons, a joystick and a trackpad and move them around to get the position right. I know this doesn't completely solve the waste issue but I do the best I can!
@@slavb0i646 yeah that's definitely the plan. I actually picked up a newer printer today that will be better suit a dry box setup so hopefully it won't be as much of an issue anymore!
@@cncdan nice one, cant wait for the new video. have you considered adding a dock functionality like other handhelds do? would be sick to be able to have like a hub at that dock with HDMI and USB's for other stuff. perhaps even more cooling. or even just modules like in the framework laptops but for a handheld? These are a bit crazy but maybe doable?
You probably could put a trackpad on the rear, but I own a vita and I really wasn't a fan of that feature. It just felt awkward to use. It would also take away some of the area I have allocated for batteries, and I think I'm going to need all the battery I can cram into this thing!
Well, there you go! I did watch a few videos on what the steamdeck trackpads do and how it makes use of them, but I've never had the opportunity to play with one to see what they are actually like!
Yeah I thought about a trackpoint. To me it's not that different from joystick mouse control, but I'm sure the design could easily be modified to fit a trackpoint if that's something people want as an option!
@cncdan there are now mini pcs coming out now with oculink built in btw - ones with 8gen ryzens for ~$500 - aoostar gem10. Not sure what the budgets for your builds are.
btw I am working on a similar project an I am using a Hp Envy x 360 board but I cant seam to find a good screan that is cheap, my budjet is only 200$ and i think It is fine but the only problem is the screans are really expensive. Also the board prices are going high too!
I'm using the waveshare 8DP-CAPLCD on this one. It's 1280x800 and has built in brightness control, capacitive touch and an amplified output for speakers. I've been quite impressed by the quality so far and they provide detailed 3D models on their wiki. It's about $80usd from memory
Without the tightly integrated software that the steamdeck has, a second trackpad is basically useless. I'm not worrying about it right now as I still need to allow room for start/select/home buttons at a minimum and If I have another trackpad that large on the other side there's no way they will fit!
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Dude i love the ingenuity and skill it took to make something that is almost or even as polished as some of the big boys like the steam deck and ally.
Thanks! I have spent an awful lot of time on these projects over the last 4 or so years so I've had a bit of practice. Looking forward to moving on to some different types of projects once this is complete as I have heaps of stuff I want to do!
the experiments with touchpads are definitely interesting and valuable knowledge for anyone doing a similar project, or maybe even something very different.
Yeah I thought so too! There's very few DIY trackpad projects on UA-cam (and the internet in general) and even fewer making use of these azoteq modules. Its a shame, because it seems to be a great trackpad and has honestly been very easy to work with!
I saw your first vid on the zen deck and have been catching up and god this is cool! I love electrical engineering and I love how you make it easy to follow along
Glad you're enjoying it!
@@cncdan really am mate. I thought why has no one done this and searched and you had
Nice! I was looking for trackpad too for my project and didn't find good solution. So I finally decided to control mouse with joystick. Awesome job!
Yeah I had mouse control with the joysticks on the last one. At least that's one less thing I should have to implement this time around!
I really, REALLY want this to work with a SteamOS-like Linux distro like Bazzite or Nobara Steam Deck Edition
I am planning to do a whole episode on a few of the different Linux distros once I have it complete enough to power up again!
you're insane man, this so great
Thanks! Can't wait to start making parts for this thing!
wow, touchpad is really cool thing for this devices, love to see him in your project)
I'm looking forward to discovering some of the uses for the trackpad in games. Everyone seems so keen on the steamdeck ones so it must be useful!
@@cncdanit absolutely is
Can't wait to experience it for myself!
I am looking for the smallest touchpad with a joystick(USB), because I my hands do not have a good muscle moving. This project is very meaningful for me. Awesome.
looking forward to the next video.
Glad you're enjoying it! I haven't got the trackpad software fully finished yet but when I do, it should be easy enough to build your own!
Yes man, finally another release, I am building something so similar 😀
Sorry it's taken a while! Between trying to get the NucDeck finished, renovations and I got sick for a week in the middle of it all too. But I'm back on track now and aiming to smash through this design/build as fast as possible!
ZenDeck sounds like something ASUS would make.. :D
Really nice video series so far, im absolutely in love!
Yeah I guess it does a bit! Glad you're enjoying the series so far!
sweet build mate :)
Thanks, it's definitely coming along!
I would buy a premade trackpad from you for sure. I've got other portable PC projects that this would work great for.
Thanks for letting me know. I'll keep that in mind!
this is sick, keep it up!
Thanks, that's the plan!
went in not too interested, but just enough to watch, was not disappointed i loved this will watch more episodes
Glad it was entertaining enough to keep you watching! I'm certain some of my older videos won't be, but I'm always trying to improve!
@@cncdan A: love that you are always trying, same here
B: this is a super cool project, i am super interested in making my own portable and this will be super helpful
C: dropping a sub this is actually useful and interesting for me, good job! the work is paying off
I have a cool project going on here. And I wish you the best as you continue to iterate and evolve the system. I had one question as a super novice along the hypothetical realm. Could it be theoretically possible to map this pad sensor's input to a HID controller Dpad direction instead of mouse input? Could it potentially be done?
Yeah, that's something you absolutely could do. The trackpad can report an overall X and Y co-ordinate which you could map sectors to buttons. I'm still working out the finer details of how the controls will all connect so I don't know if the trackpad will be integrated into the controller or if it will be its own seperate device yet. If it does get integrated I'll definitely look into some options like this!
SO EXCITED!
As am I! Can't wait to get this thing up an running!
You should check out these really cheap mini usb keyboard/touchpad combos. They have a very small trackpad and it works pretty well.
This was one of my first thoughts as well. I had a look at some photos of a disassembled one and it looks like the track pad is all part of the keyboard PCB. No wonder they can make them so cheap!
Neat! I'm glad you tried insetting the trackpad, as that gives you a bit of flexibility. Trackpads are so handy on PC handhelds, letting you handle stuff not designed for handheld use, like in-game menus and Windows functions, just a bit better. I've even on occasion used a Trackpad instead of one of the joysticks for a tiny bit more precision in character control on my Steam Deck. Will the controller have mappings to let you use some of it's buttons as mouse buttons? I usually map one or two of the back flaps of the Steam Deck as mouse buttons in certain games.
Yeah that's definitely something that I should be able to do! I'd love to make a software controller configuration tool this time around. Can't make any promises but it would be handy to be able to remap the buttons by just opening a bit of software on the PC
very cool, I just learned something today :) I might implement something smillar to my RPi handheld
Go for it! The TPS43 is very easy to work with and azoteq make a couple of larger models too. I'm considering buying one and making it into a nice standalone desktop trackpad with a machined aluminium housing. Would be handy for pen input in Photoshop etc!
It looks amazing bro, Keep up the good work!
Btw ur so underrated more people need to notice this channel
Thanks! Hopefully the views pick up again soon, I'm trying my best to improve with every video!
Awesome stuff. Not sure if this is relevant, but Cirque also makes some small trackpads that are sometimes used by the mechanical keyboard community.
Yeah I had a look at what Cirque has to offer, but it looks like all of their trackpads are round. I didn't think that would make a very good trackpad to use as a mouse pointer so I opted for the Azoteq ones instead!
dude so cool! I was thinking about adding trackpads in a future iternation of my(not as cool as yours) project. Seems people really want it for some reason lol
Yeah I must admit I don't know if I understand the appeal yet. Keen to get this thing fired up so I can experience it for myself! 😁
This might be a dumb question but...have you tried cutting the TPS 43?
Or using the MCU from the TPS 43 on your own PCB without flashing it?
Not a dumb question, I considered both of these options already. Based on what I can gather from the documentation they provide on designing a track pad, the outer ground ring is fairly important to the function so if you trim it, it may not work. As for removing the IC, it may work but there is a fair bit of configuration required which I can't do without the programmer regardless. Being able to use an off the shelf product that anyone can just buy is my ideal outcome anyway so since I've been able to squeeze the TPS43 in I think I'll stick with it for now!
@@cncdan Thank you!
I would love if you linked the code you used in github! Both the code you have at the end of this video, and the code if you put more gesture controls in it
The reason I didn't is because I suspect Azoteq may not be fond of me reposting their entire sample code with only a handful of changes. I will be using this sensor in the project so once I have my own code written for it I will be sure to get it up on GitHub!
Didn't want to go with PC nipples huh? 😂
I love your work, you literally do the stuff I dreamed of doing when I was a kid 😊
Yeah, despite how funny it would've been I think I'd prefer a trackpad on a device like this! Glad you're enjoying it!
whoa! this is awesome!
Thanks!
I haven't yet seen a deck of any kind come with a stylus yet or with 5g mobile as well. Possible in integrating it?
You could probably squeeze a USB 5G modem in there somewhere too if you wanted. As for the stylus, the display is capacitive so it should work with any stylus designed for a capacitive touch screen.
is there any way to "overclock" this to get higher than 100hz report rates? I'd be willing to spend up to 70 dollars on a part that would get 250hz+ for a single touch in this form factor
Probably a good question for Azoteq! If you do find out, make sure you write back so I can investigate!
im thinking about modding my xbox one controller right joystick into a touchpad, do you have any suggestions on doing that?
You absolutely could, but you'd need a custom solution for it. Basically you'd need a small microcontroller between the trackpad and the controller PCB. It would need to interpret the trackpad inputs and convert them to an analog voltage to feed back into the joystick pins of the controller. You could also watch for single touch events and map that to the center click of the joystick!
can you share the arduino code? would be very helpful to me,thanks
Amazing
Thanks!
A keyboard like the one on the PS5 would also be good
You mean the little removable ones? I can't think of a way to add that permanently without making it significantly larger!
Doesnt it seem a little wastefull reprinting the handles, could you not just reprint a specific part to then allocate for the design?
Yeah I'm not a fan of the waste either! Where I live it's quite humid, so often times by the time I'm getting to the end of a roll of filament it's really not printing very well. I usually use these roll ends for prints like this as well as running minimum wall thicknesses and infills. If I wasn't changing the shape of the controller I would just print buttons, a joystick and a trackpad and move them around to get the position right. I know this doesn't completely solve the waste issue but I do the best I can!
@@cncdan gotta love humidity! Maybe try using a closed in 3d printer/making a little box for it to print in, so it gets less general humidity?
@@slavb0i646 yeah that's definitely the plan. I actually picked up a newer printer today that will be better suit a dry box setup so hopefully it won't be as much of an issue anymore!
@@cncdan nice one, cant wait for the new video. have you considered adding a dock functionality like other handhelds do? would be sick to be able to have like a hub at that dock with HDMI and USB's for other stuff. perhaps even more cooling. or even just modules like in the framework laptops but for a handheld? These are a bit crazy but maybe doable?
Would a Vita-style back touchpad work?
You probably could put a trackpad on the rear, but I own a vita and I really wasn't a fan of that feature. It just felt awkward to use. It would also take away some of the area I have allocated for batteries, and I think I'm going to need all the battery I can cram into this thing!
@@cncdan Then how about a laptop-style "nipple"?
Yaknow, the Steamdeck trackpads actually don't support gestures, so this actually has a feature the steamdeck *doesnt* have!
Well, there you go! I did watch a few videos on what the steamdeck trackpads do and how it makes use of them, but I've never had the opportunity to play with one to see what they are actually like!
Perhaps, make it modular. Surely a trackpoint is easier.
Yeah I thought about a trackpoint. To me it's not that different from joystick mouse control, but I'm sure the design could easily be modified to fit a trackpoint if that's something people want as an option!
we have same heat plate. you can change its language to english
Thankyou, that was pretty much the first time I've used it. I'll take a look online and see if I can get it switched over to english
Who needs a track pad... just get Oculink integrated in some way!
No spare M.2 slots sadly! I know it's not as good but I should be able to make it work with a thunderbolt dock
@cncdan there are now mini pcs coming out now with oculink built in btw - ones with 8gen ryzens for ~$500 - aoostar gem10. Not sure what the budgets for your builds are.
I've already got a PC sorted for this one, so there's no budget left for that unfortunately! The option is there to upgrade it in the future though!
I find it interesting that basically nobody except apple and some two amazon sellers arr offering external trackpads...
So do I! I went into this expecting to easily be able to pick up a little USB trackpad from Aliexpress or something but obviously I was mistaken!
Nice
Thankyou!
Cara muito legal
Noice
SECOND!
btw I am working on a similar project an I am using a Hp Envy x 360 board but I cant seam to find a good screan that is cheap, my budjet is only 200$ and i think It is fine but the only problem is the screans are really expensive. Also the board prices are going high too!
I'm using the waveshare 8DP-CAPLCD on this one. It's 1280x800 and has built in brightness control, capacitive touch and an amplified output for speakers. I've been quite impressed by the quality so far and they provide detailed 3D models on their wiki. It's about $80usd from memory
@@cncdan That sounds really good, I will give it a look. Thanks for the advice!
@@AndrianBaka no worries! Hope it helps!
Third
First!
You sure are!
now make it have 2 trackpads
Without the tightly integrated software that the steamdeck has, a second trackpad is basically useless. I'm not worrying about it right now as I still need to allow room for start/select/home buttons at a minimum and If I have another trackpad that large on the other side there's no way they will fit!