Atari Joystick (X-Y) Controller
JOYSTICK (X-Y) CONTROLLER
Inside each joystick is a small PC board that has five calculator-type keypads mounted on it. Two versions of the PC board exist in current joystick models; see Figure-l. Four of the keypads are positioned beneath the stick in a square shaped pattern, and the fifth is located beneath the pushbutton. When the stick is pushed forward, the bottom surface of the stick presses against the forward keypad, causing it to make contact, and complete the circuit that is connected to it. In the same way, pushing the stick back, left and right causes the respective keypad underneath that position to close and complete the circuit.
NOTE: The earliest models of the joystick had five spring-loaded buttons instead of the present configurations. These earlier models cannot be repaired.
FIGURE 1 - JOYSTICK (X-Y) CONTROLLER EXPANDED VIEW
If the stick is pushed forward and to the right at the same time (that is, in a northeastern direction), both the forward and right keypad close simultaneously, which causes the 6532 to see two switch closures happening at once. The result is that the object being controlled on the screen moves diagonally. With the four keypads, 8
different directions can be attained. The pushbutton determines whether the keypad beneath it is either open or closed. See Figure-2 for Joystick Schematics.
FIGURE 2 - JOYSTICK SCHEMATIC / PINOUTS WIRING DIAGRAM
JOYSTICK (X-Y CONTROLLER) CHECK
Known good VCS unit