Work in progress · early development

NotchDeck

One handle. Every notch.

An open-hardware train-simulator master controller — the single power/brake lever (mascon) that Japanese trains are driven with, reimagined as a driverless controller for any platform.

EMG · B8NP5

What it is

NotchDeck One is a one-handle mascon built on a single Nordic nRF52840. It speaks USB and Bluetooth LE at the same time and appears to your computer, phone, or console as an ordinary gamepad — no drivers, no lock-in. Games like Densha de GO! and Train Sim World read the lever's notches directly, and can drive its indicator lamps back.

Highlights

  • Driverless, dual-transport. The same HID report over USB and Bluetooth LE — plug in or pair, either way it's just a joystick.
  • Authentic notch lever. One analog axis carrying the full 15-step range — Emergency, brake B8–B1, Neutral, power P1–P5.
  • Magnetic position sensing. Contactless AS5600 angle read of the handle (with a classic cam-and-switch path documented as an alternative).
  • Host-controllable lamps. Notch indicator, status RGB, and warning lamps that simulators light up over HID.
  • Portable. LiPo powered with USB-C charging and a fuel gauge — untethered running.
  • Easy updates. Drag-and-drop UF2 firmware over USB; BLE OTA and SWD for recovery.

Under the hood

MCU
Nordic nRF52840
Firmware
Zephyr / nRF Connect SDK (C)
Connectivity
USB 2.0 + BLE 5.x (HID)
Hardware
KiCad, open design