Summary of Arduino Based Handheld Bluetooth Game Controller
This article details the creation of a fully hackable, handheld Bluetooth game controller. The project utilizes an Atmega 328 microcontroller with an Arduino bootloader and an RN42-HID Bluetooth module for serial communication. Key design features include headers on both components to allow reprogramming into various modes, such as a gamepad, HID keyboard/mouse, or virtual COM port, ensuring versatility for different gaming needs.
Parts used in the Arduino Based Handheld Bluetooth Game Controller:
- Atmega 328 microprocessor
- Arduino bootloader
- RN42-HID bluetooth module
- Headers for the bluetooth module
- Headers for the Atmega 328 chip
I’ve been on mission lately to design a handheld bluetooth game controller. I’ve made a prototype in the past but, it never was really usable as a gaming device. Although the concept worked well the form factor was not quite there.
Well after a few months of tinkering and several designs I finally have one!
The design is based around the Atmega 328 running the Arduino bootloader. There is a RN42-HID bluetooth module that allows serial communication between it and the microprocessor.
I wanted the device to be fully hackable so I designed it with headers for both the bluetooth module and the Atmega 328 chip. I can reprogram the bluetooth module to run HID keyboard or mouse (or combined), it can iterate as a gamepad, or it can reconfigured to run serial protocol and iterate as a virtual com port.
For more detail: Arduino Based Handheld Bluetooth Game Controller
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What is the core microprocessor used in this controller?
The device is based around the Atmega 328 running the Arduino bootloader. -
How does the controller communicate wirelessly?
It uses an RN42-HID bluetooth module that allows serial communication between the module and the microprocessor. -
Can the controller be reprogrammed for different functions?
Yes, the designer included headers for both the bluetooth module and the Atmega 328 to make it fully hackable. -
What input modes can the bluetooth module run as?
The module can be reprogrammed to run as a HID keyboard, mouse, combined unit, or a gamepad. -
Does the device support serial protocol functionality?
Yes, it can be reconfigured to run serial protocol and iterate as a virtual com port. -
Why were headers included in the design?
Headers were designed for both the bluetooth module and the Atmega 328 chip to ensure the device is fully hackable. -
Was this the first successful prototype of this design?
No, the author made a previous prototype that worked conceptually but had an unusable form factor until this new design.
