ESP32-S3 radio controlled joystick (PPM / SBUS)

Description

This is a smart radio controlled joystick.
Not only it interfaces with a RX PPM or SBUS output but it senses the signal , recognizes the emitted protocol and adapts itself.
Supported protocols are:

PPM (all polarities via ppmSpy).
SBUS Standard (Inverted).
SBUS TTL (Non-inverted).
It uses USB HID 16 bits (for a maximal accuracy on the simulator).

The idea is to use a ESP32-S3 super mini board which comes with a full USB HID support.
The board receives in one GPIO input the SBUS or PPM signal received by the RX and transforms it into HID Joystick orders.

It works with any PPM or SBUS signal.
Some receivers produce the signal with a 3.3V (eg FS-IA6B) , in that case no resistors are needed.
Some receivers use 5V logic, in that case to protect the ESP32-S3 GPIO, just solder a resistor bridge ... if you do not know, just use the 2 resistors schematic as it works too with 3.3V logic.

The source code is provided so you can program your own chip using the arduino IDE.

Details

hardware :
========
solder a servo wire red to +5V, black to GND, white (SBUS signal) to GPIO 13 (right column just under 5V, GND, 3.3V)
(in case your RX has a 5V logic, just add a resistor bridge in serial to the signal pin)

configuration
=============
add "https://espressif.github.io/arduino-esp32/package_esp32_index.json" in preferences/additionnal boards URL
in board manager type ESP32 and select ESP32 expressif
in "tools/board" select "ESP32S3 DEV module"
USB Mode : "Hardware CDC and JTAG"
USB CDC On Boot : "Enabled"
in "tools manage libraries" include "USB", "USBHID", "sbus from Bolder flight", "ESP32_PPM" and "ADAFruit Neopixel"

compile and upload this code
press the reset button or switch OFF/ON the board

user manual
===========
the LED shows the status of communication:
- flashing blue/purple/yellow : searching protocol : no signal is received, either the RX is not connected or the radio is OFF
- solid cyan : the PPM signal is received and valid
- solid purple : SBUS signal is received and valid
- solid red : the TX signal is lost, failsafe is active

to test the joystick on W10 or W11, just type "joy.cpl" in the search area. The device ESP32_DEV should appear,
press properties, the "test" tab is activated, move some axis
then go to parameters and calibrate the joystick (important as the SBUS range is set to +/-150%)

Files

ESP32S3_Joystick_PPMSBUS.ino

this is the source code

ino - 10.04 kB - 12/19/2025 at 15:53

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ESP32-S3 radio controlled joystick (PPM / SBUS)

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Files

ESP32S3_Joystick_PPMSBUS.ino

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