Technology Incorporated Into the AfterBurner

USB HID based interface for fast performance: USB HID is the standard way for USB keyboards, mice, joysticks, trackballs, and other Human Interface Devices to talk to a computer. For the best performance, the complete status of every key, joystick position, and joystick button are sent each time any changes occur, up to 100 times per second. The USB system, with 1.5Mb/s transfer, has enough bandwith that no information is lost, even under rapid autofire conditions!
Emulates a boot keyboard: The AfterBurner reports itself as a USB HID boot-compliant keyboard. This means that the AfterBurner will be seen as the primary keyboard for most computers. With the special BIOS modes available, a second, full keyboard is not necessary in most installations.
Appears as a keyboard plus 4 joysticks simultaneously: The AfterBurner announces itself to a host as being a keyboard and four joysticks in one device. This allows maximum flexibility for games that require keyboard inputs or for games that expect joysticks
35 inputs in a common ground system: The AfterBurner has 35 digital inputs, which is enough for most 1 or 2 player games, in addition to a dedicated programming/menu input. The AfterBurner has dedicated IC pins for each input. This way, each input may be detected independently of any other keypress.
Expander available giving an additional 48 inputs: The AfterBurner Expander contains dedicated IC's which read an additional 48 inputs and send these directly to the microprocessor of the AfterBurner. The Expander integrates seamlessly to the AfterBurner. Unlike other systems which switch back and forth between two different input systems or interleave inputs, the microprocessor on the AfterBurner combines the inputs and sends unified information to the host.
Any input can be assigned to any joystick or keyboard function: The AfterBurner maps each input independently. For example, player 1 button A can be mapped to joystick 2 button 3 while player 1 button B can be mapped to the keyboard's d key. This allows the ultimate flexibility.
All programming is done with the included LCD display: The AfterBurner includes an LCD display and all programming is done by using Player 1's joystick and buttons. This allows the AfterBurner to be programmed without any software installed on the host computer. No features are lost when the AfterBurner is used with any operating system.
Eight independent autofires: The autofire system on the AfterBurner tracks eight different autofire rates. Each autofire rate can be mapped to two different inputs, for a maximum of sixteen inputs autofiring. This enables different keys to autofire at different rates. This is useful if changing weapons changes the ideal rate for autofire.
Two analog inputs for autofire rate control: For maximum flexibility and ease of use, potentiometers may be used to set autofire rates. Each autofire may be independently set to either analog input or to button presses for rate control.
Eight macros of eight steps each: The AfterBurner can store up to eight sets of keys to press in sequence. The rate at which keys are pressed can vary, and additional delays may be added for critical timing sequences. Macros may be chained together to form a sequence up to 64 presses long.
Macros may be chained: Any macro on the AfterBurner may be linked to any macro of a higher number. The end of macro 1 may start macro 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, while the end of macro 6 may start macro 7 or macro 8. This allows combinations of sequences from 8 to 64 steps.
Joysticks may be virtually rotated 45 degrees: Some games are played with axes rotated 45 degress either clockwise or counterclockwise. Oftentimes, instead of using 8-way joysticks, a 4-way joystick is mechanically rotated inside the game. The AfterBurner includes a system to virtually rotate an 8-way joystick 45 degrees either direction. The diagonals then appear as the ordinal directions. Each joystick input may be rotated independently of all other joysticks.
8-way to 4-way mapping: For optimal feel and performance, a 4-way joystick should be used for games requiring a 4-way joystick, and an 8-way joystick should be used for games requiring an 8-way joystick. If this is not possible, say due to space limitations, this mode may make a game requiring a 4-way joystick more playable. Each joystick may be set to 8 or 4 way independently of other joysticks.
15 factory pre-programmed setups included, plus storage for 32 user modes: The AfterBurner ships with 15 predefined setups which cover a variety of applications. The true versatility of the AfterBurner often requires customization, however, so all aspects of operation, including keymapping, joystick functions, autofiring, and macro sequences, may be programmed and stored. Up to 32 user-defined setups may be stored on the AfterBurner.
Expander adds storage for 64 user modes: The expander adds an additional 64 user modes for a total of 96 user modes.
Two quick-access shift modes: For somewhat frequently used buttons which are not part of a regular mode, a shift mode system exists. This allows temporarily shifting in one of two user-defined modes to access the extra keys, then returning to the main mode.
A Customizable idle message: When no inputs have been sensed in about 30 seconds, the AfterBurner displays a customizable idle message. Personalize your gaming system!
No soldering needed: The AfterBurner uses screw terminals or plugs for all wire connections. No soldering is necessary to connect the AfterBurner to your joysticks or buttons.
FCC tested to Class B limits: The AfterBurner has been tested to comply with FCC Class B limits, which means you can use it in your home. Other boards which are not FCC Class B compliant can only be used at a business.