Simucube Wireless Wheel 2

Wireless Wheel 2 Module
Configurable inputs
Digital	96
Analog	4
Antenna
Type	External (not included)
Connector	U.FL
Frequency (Center/Band)	2.4 GHz
Gain (max)	2.14 dBi
Electrical specifications
Rechargeable version:
Charger input voltage/current	5.0V / 450mA
Supported battery chemistry	Li-Ion or Li-Po
Battery voltage	2.5V – 4.2V
Non-rechargeable version:
Input voltage	2.0V – 3.8V

The Simucube Wireless Wheel 2 Module is an upgraded version of the Simucube Wireless wheel module. The new module offers more digital inputs and 4 analog axes, and includes also the battery management functions. It has a built-in charger and a voltage regulator.

Update January 31st, 2023: Removed mentions about the rechargeable and non-rechargeable versions of the module. Non-rechargeable version was not produced until this date, and has been discontinued (End-of-life) completely on this date.

Digital inputs

Wireless Wheel 2 Module has 98 digital input pins, of which 96 are fully configurable by wheel manufacturers. Two of the pins are reserved for shifter paddles that must be included in every steering wheel. Paddles are mandatory because they are used to connect and disconnect the wheel from Simucube. Each configurable input pin can be used multiple times with different device types. The input pins can also be used as enable pins. These enable pins can be used to enable and disable other devices. This allows for advanced functionalities, e.g., using a physical encoder as 12 virtual encoders using a rotary switch or disabling unintentional center presses in a 5 or 7-way switch.

Digital input device types:
• Button (regular button): The game controller output signal is high if pressed.
• Encoder: Each detent is shown as a pulse (25ms). The game controller has an output signal for each turning direction.
• Rotary switch: Maximum of 12 positions. Changing the switch position will send a pulse (100ms) to the corresponding output.
If the desired functionality is that the output is constantly on, the rotary switch can also be configured as regular buttons. This can also be done in addition to the default functionality if there are enough unused HID pins.
• Simucube Button: Holding down this button more than 1 second will start or stop Simucube Button mode. When at this mode, user can change Simucube force feedback paramerers using buttons and encoders from wheel.

Simucube Button

Holding down the Simucube Button over one second will switch Simucube 2 to Simucube Button mode, where force feedback parameters can be changed using the Wireless Wheel. Sc Button mode is designed around a 7-way switch (“Funky Switch”) with an encoder and a five-way joystick. Other buttons can also be used, but it is recommended to keep layout similar between different wheels. When entering SC button mode, the overall strength parameter is selected by default. The adjusted parameter is selected by configurable buttons. Holding parameter selection down for more than 2 seconds will reset the parameter to the previous value (Last value set from True Drive).

The function of inputs when in Sc Button mode:
• Encoder: Changes currently selected parameter
• Up: Overall strength
• Left: Damping
• Right: Simucube Force Reconstruction filter
• Down: TBD

Analog inputs

SLEEP pin with transistors can be used to turn external devices on and off

The wireless module offers an AVCC output pin for analog devices. To reduce power consumption, the AVCC pin is pulsed so that the pin is only turned on when the ADC module is sampling inputs. Output pulses are approximately 2ms long, and the frequency is 100Hz; this means that AVCC is on 20% of the time. Pulses work great with potentiometers, but Hall-effect sensors might not work with pulsed AVCC if Hall-sensor power-on time is too long. As a result, any excess capacitance must be avoided in the AVCC pin.

The backup option is to provide VCC for Hall-sensors is to power it from the 3v VDD pin and use MOSFETs connected to the SLEEP pin so Hall-sensor can be powered off while Wireless Wheel 2 isn’t connected. SLEEP pin is high when Wireless Wheel 2 is connected to Simucube. See the example in the picture. In example picture VDD is 3v output from Wireless Wheel module 2 and V+ is VDD for Hall-sensors.

Battery connections

Wireless Wheel 2 Module has multiple VIN, GND, BATT, and SW_IN pins for redundancy. It is recommended to tie them together to ensure a reliable connection with the M.2 connector in mechanical shock or shaking.

BATT and SW_IN must be connected with external switch or shorted. Otherwise the BLE2 module DO NOT GET ANY POWER!

Rechargeable version

Rechargeable example

The rechargeable version has a built-in charger circuit and a DC-DC converter to regulate battery voltage to 3.0V. The charger is connected to VIN and should be provided with 5.0V +- 5% with a minimum of 450mA for charging (e.g. using a USB cable). BATT pins are charger output, and the battery should be connected between these and GND. SW_IN is unregulated voltage input for the Module and will provide voltage to the in-built DC-DC converter. The power switch must be connected between SW_IN pins and the positive battery terminal. Installing a power switch between SW_IN and BATT enables charging when the wheel is turned off.

The integrated battery charger is suitable to be used only with Li-Po or Li-Ion rechargeable batteries that are suitable for being recharged with 490 mA current.
No other battery types are supported!
Using any other battery type can result in damages for example to, but not limited to, the battery, Wireless Wheel 2 module, and/or wheel in which the Wireless Wheel 2 module is installed to!

Granite Devices is not responsible for any damages caused by using the Wireless Wheel 2 module in any way not specified in this document!

Non-rechargeable version (EOL, not available)

Non-rechargeable example

The non-rechargeable version does not have a charger or DC-DC converter and is intended for non-rechargeable batteries. Due to a non-existing DC-DC converter, all module voltages will be the same as battery voltage. Even though it is possible to connect batteries straight to SW_IN pins to power this version, it is recommended to connect battery positive lead to VIN, which is internally connected to BATT pins in a non-rechargeable version and includes reverse polarity protection. If a power switch is needed, it can be installed on battery leads or between BATT and SW_IN pins. BATT pins should be connected to SW_IN pins to establish power for the module if the power switch is not connected between mentioned pins.

Pinout

Connector naming and pin numbering

Wireless Wheel 2 Module uses M.2 connectors to fit all the I/O pins in a compact, low-profile packet. All LED pins include a 220 Ohm current limiter resistor.

Left M.2 connector

Bottom side			Top side
Function	Signal	Pin		Signal	Function
GND	GND	66	67	AVCC	3.0 V OUTPUT to analog circuitry Max. 100 mA including VDD current.
GND	GND	64	65	AN0	ADC CH0 INPUT 0 .. 3.0 V voltage range
GND	GND	62	63	AN1	ADC CH1 INPUT 0 .. 3.0 V voltage range
GND	GND	60	61	AN2	ADC CH2 INPUT 0 .. 3.0 V voltage range
Input	BTN64	58	59	AN3	ADC CH3 INPUT 0 .. 3.0 V voltage range
Input	BTN63	56	57	BTN1	Input
Input	BTN62	54	55	BTN2	Input
Input	BTN61	52	53	BTN3	Input
Input	BTN60	50	51	BTN4	Input
Input	BTN89	48	49	BTN5	Input
Input	BTN58	46	47	BTN6	Input
Input	BTN57	44	45	BTN7	Input
Input	BTN56	42	43	BTN8	Input
Input	BTN55	40	41	BTN9	Input
Input	BTN54	38	39	BTN10	Input
Input	BTN53	36	37	BTN11	Input
Input	BTN52	34	35	BTN12	Input
Input	BTN51	32	33	BTN13	Input
Input	BTN50	30	31	BTN14	Input
Input	BTN49	28	29	BTN15	Input
GND	GND	26	27	BTN16	Input
Input	BTN80	24	25	GND	GND
Input	BTN78	22	23	BTN79	Input
Input	BTN76	20	21	BTN77	Input
Input	BTN74	18	19	BTN75	Input
Input	BTN72	16	17	BTN73	Input
Input	BTN70	14	15	BTN71	Input
Input	BTN68	12	13	BTN69	Input
Input	BTN66	10	11	BTN67	Input
Input	BTN17	8	9	BTN65	Input
Input	BTN19	6	7	BTN18	Input
Input	BTN32	4	5	LED1	3.0 V status LED OUTPUT through 220 Ohm series resistor
Input	BTN30	2	3	BTN20	Input
-	-	-	1	BTN31	Input

Right M.2 connector

Bottom side			Top side
Function	Signal	Pin		Signal	Function
Input	BTN28	66	67	BTN29	Input
Input	BTN26	64	65	BTN27	Input
Input	BTN22	62	63	BTN25	Input
Input	BTN24	60	61	BTN21	Input
Do not connect	-	58	59	BTN23	Input
Do not connect	-	56	57	-	Do not connect
Input	BTN96	54	55	-	Do not connect
Input	BTN95	52	53	-	Do not connect
Input	BTN94	50	51	-	Do not connect
Input	BTN93	48	49	-	Do not connect
Input	BTN92	46	47	SLEEP	BP2 module sleep status Active LOW (BP2 sleeps)
Input	BTN91	44	45	TX	LEUART TX signal OUTPUT
Input	BTN90	42	43	RX	LEUART RX signal INPUT
Input	BTN89	40	41	LED2	2nd indicator LED OUTPUT 3.0 V through 220 Ohm resistor
Input	BTN88	38	39	PADDLE1	Paddle input 1 (left)
Input	BTN87	36	37	PADDLE2	Paddle input 2 (right)
Input	BTN86	34	35	GND	GND
Input	BTN85	32	33	VDD	+3.0 V OUTPUT Max. 100 mA including AVCC current.
Input	BTN84	30	31	BTN33	Input
Input	BTN83	28	29	BTN34	Input
Input	BTN82	26	27	BTN35	Input
Input	BTN81	24	25	BTN36	Input
GND	GND	22	23	BTN37	Input
GND	GND	20	21	BTN38	Input
LED indicator for battery charging Connect LED Anode to BATT	LED_CHG	18	19	BTN39	Input
SWITCH_IN operating voltage input	SW_IN	16	17	BTN40	Input
	SW_IN	14	15	BTN41	Input
LiPO/Ion/battery positive terminal	BATT	12	13	BTN42	Input
	BATT	10	11	BTN43	Input
GND	GND	8	9	BTN44	Input
	GND	6	7	BTN45	Input
Voltage INPUT terminal 5.0 V ± 5 %	VIN	4	5	BTN46	Input
	VIN	2	3	BTN47	Input
-	-	-	1	BTN48	Input

Resources

Footprint and 3D-model is using the following components:

Name	Manufacturer	MPN
M.2 connector	TE Connectivity	1-2199119-5
Spacer	Wurth	9774015151R
M2.5x3 screws

Technical drawing and tolerances for Wireless Wheel 2 Module footprint
Wireless Wheel 2 Module footprint and tolerances (.pdf)

Eagle library

The Eagle footprint is designed to be used with TE 1-2199119-x M.2 connector. If any other M.2 connector is used, the footprint must be corrected, as the location pins under the M.2 connector are not identical between different manufacturers and models!
Eagle library of Wireless Wheel 2 Module

3D-model

Wireless Wheel 2 Module 3D model file (.step)

Availability

Simucube Wireless Wheel 2 modules are sold to commercial sim racing steering wheel manufacturers. Contact sales@granitedevices.com for any enquiries.

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