How does an analog stick work?

[khaag]

I need to know how exactly an analog stick works. Also, I need to know if it would be possible to hook it up to a d-pad.
I'd like to use a PSP analog stick on say a NES controller. Do you think it would be possible?

[Dr. KillGood]

Probably, go for it!

[khaag]

Probably, go for it!

I want to, but I need to know how it works first.

[bicostp]

I need to know how exactly an analog stick works.

they use potentiometers (variable resistors) to vary the current going to the encoder chip. The controller detects how far the stick has been moved by how much current it's receiving.

Also, I need to know if it would be possible to hook it up to a d-pad.

Yes, but it probably won't work unless you push the stick all the way in one direction. (D-pad = Digital pad, no analog at all.) If you wanted an analog-style action, you would probably have to rig something up with a timer IC to pulse the button on and off to approximate analog on apurely on/off system. (We have a couple Mad Katz steering wheels for the PSX which do that.)

I'd like to use a PSP d-pad on say a NES controller. Do you think it would be possible?

D-pad? No problem. It's all digital.

[khaag]

Oops, that was a typo... I meant to say hook a PSP analog stick up to a NES d-pad.

[vskid]

Over at acidmods, they use analog to digital converters so that a second analog will be seen as pressing the x, o, etc buttons. You'll need something like that. Otherwise, it'll probably only register the high values, so only two of the directions.

[Skyone]

(D-pad = Digital pad, no analog at all.)

D-pad = Direction pad

Simply search for an analog to digital converter, digikey?

[bacteria]

When someone suggested I used PSP joysticks for my project I researched into their connections; decided however from the comments posted that the PSP joystick was a bad option; people don't like using them.

I did however stumble on a website which had exactly the answer to your question, with a step-by-step guide of how to achieve it:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/10/how- ... r-sony-psp