Most flight simulators require two or more computers for adequate performance and fidelity. More than two computers are usually not necessary and would result increased complexity and maintenance. This flight simulator uses two computers and an Ethernet router for a dedicated computer network.
Main Computer – “FltSim”
The main computer, named “FltSim”, is primarily responsible for the base simulation software, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. This software is responsible for the aerodynamic performance calculations that determine aircraft motion, then creation of the graphics for the world scenery from the aircraft’s current position. This is an extremely processor intensive set of calculations, especially when using multiple external displays.
Because of interdependencies, a substantial amount of the CPU processing is not amendable to multi-threading. Therefore, the primary CPU core is usually saturated and becomes the limiting factor in frame rate. Although graphic card performance is the primary determinant of frame rate in many PC games, with flight simulation, the CPU performance is more important. Therefore, selection of a computer with powerful CPU single-core performance is the most important factor. CPU cooling is required to maximize frame rate.
It is also important for the main computer to have two separate SSD hard drives. One for the operating system and a second drive for the flight simulator software. The SSD for the flight simulator software would ideally be a M.2 PCIe SSD which allows for the fastest data read/write rates. This allows for world scenery data to be quickly loaded as the aircraft moves from one scenery area to another.
The main computer for this simulator was recently upgraded to a Dell Alienware Aurora R16 with the following customized specifications: Intel 14th Gen i9 14900KF (24-Core, 68 MB Cache, 2.4 GHz to 6.0 GHz), 1000W power supply, 32 GB of DDR5 5600 MHz RAM, two 1 TB M.2 PCIe SSD drives, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 with 16 GB GDDR6X VRAM, and CPU liquid cooling.
The “FltSim” computer is connected to three large external LCD displays and a small LCD utility display via the HDMI and Display Port outputs from the NVIDIA graphics card. One USB port is connected to a USB powered speaker system for external aircraft sounds. A second USB port is used for connection to a 36 watt powered 7-port USB hub, which is connected to the flight control yokes, rudder pedals, steering tiller, MCP/EFIS panel, and rudder trim panel. The computer is connected to the dedicated Ethernet router with an Ethernet cable.
The powered USB hub should always be powered on prior to starting the computer. USB devices should be initially added to the USB hub, once device at a time.
Microsoft Windows 11 is used for the operating system. Prior to installing simulator software, the computer was configured as follows: removal of desktop shortcuts and unwanted taskbar items, configure power saving & sleep settings so that the display never blanks & the computer never sleeps, unlink Microsoft OneDrive and prevent launch at start-up, set the computer’s network name to “FlightSim”, and set a fixed manual IP address for the computer.
Display settings are configured by identifying each display and dragging the display icons to match the physical display’s layout with the small utility monitor at the far left position and configured to be the primary display. Even though the LCD TV displays are 4K, resolution is set to 1920 x 1080 with a 60Hz refresh rate. The taskbar is configured to appear only on the primary utility display.
Finally, the simulator software is loaded: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, ProSim737 System, ProSim737 Updater, Navigraph FMS Data Manager, Navigraph SimLink, and RudderFix.
Secondary Computer – “Avionics”
The secondary computer, named “Avionics”, is primarily responsible for running a suite of aircraft simulator applications that emulate the various aircraft systems and create graphics for the flight deck displays. This computer also is used for interfacing with most of the flight deck hardware that use USB for connectivity.
This processing load on this computer is a fraction of the performance required for the main computer, therefore a modest computer is usually adequate. Dual graphics cards, along with motherboard PCI slots, are necessary for connection to the six flight deck displays, as well as a small LCD utility display.
This secondary computer was custom built with the following specifications: Intel i5 8400 (6 cores, 4.0 GHz), 650W power supply, 16 GB 2400 MHz DDR4 RAM, one 500 GB M.2 PCIe SSD, one 1 TB SATA III SSD, and dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphic cards with 3 GB VRAM each.
The “Avionics” computer is connected to six physical LCD light deck displays and a small LCD utility display. They are connected via the HDMI, Display Port, and DVI outputs from the two NVIDIA graphic cards. One physical LCD display drives both the captain’s PFD & ND display. A second physical LCD display drives the first officers PFD & ND display. A third physical LCD display drives the upper engine instrument display & the standby flight instruments. The remaining displays are the captain’s CDU, the first officer’s CDU, and the lower engine instruments.
One USB port is used for connection to a 90 watt powered 16-port USB hub, which is connected to most of the flight deck hardware (main instrument panel, captain CDU, first officer CDU, main overhead, aft overhead, various pedestal panels). The analog audio output is connected to a powered speaker system for internal flight deck sounds. The computer is connected to the dedicated Ethernet router with an Ethernet cable.
The powered USB hub should always be powered on prior to starting the computer. USB devices should be initially added to the USB hub, once device at a time.
Microsoft Windows 11 is used for the operating system. Prior to installing simulator software, the computer was configured as follows: removal of desktop shortcuts and unwanted taskbar items, configure power saving & sleep settings so that the display never blanks & the computer never sleeps, unlink Microsoft OneDrive and prevent launch at start-up, set the computer’s network name to “Avionics”, and set a fixed manual IP address for this computer that is different from the one used for the main “FltSim” computer.
Display setting are configured by identifying each display and dragging the display icons to match the physical display’s layout in the flightdeck, one row at a time, with the utility monitor at the far left position and configured to be the primary display. All displays are placed in a single virtual row in Windows display settings, aligned along the top edge. From left to right: primary utility display, captain PFD/ND, standby flight instruments & upper engine display, first officer PFD/ND, captain CDU, lower engine display, first officer CDU. The taskbar is configured to appear only on the primary utility display. Display resolutions are left to match the native resolution of each LCD display.
Finally, the ProSim737 simulator software modules are loaded. These are four display modules for each of the physical LCD displays in the flight deck, two CDU modules, an audio module, a hardware connector module, an instructor operating station, and ProSim737 updater.
Ethernet Network
Broadband internet access is necessary for MSFS 2020 because the software will download and cache world scenery detail as the position of the aircraft changes in flight. Additionally real-time actual weather and aircraft traffic can be continuously downloaded so that the simulator displays reflect actual real world conditions. Internet access is also periodically needed to validate ProSim737 license keys.
ProSim737 has an architecture of multiple application modules, across multiple computers, each having specific functions. Each module is dependent upon sharing data with the main module, ProSim737 System, via the local Ethernet network.
There has been a trend to using Ethernet connectivity instead of USB for flight deck simulation hardware components. This simulator uses Ethernet interfacing for: Flight Deck Solutions B737NG motorized throttle quadrant, COM radios, NAV radios, and transponder.
This simulator uses a LinkSys EA6350 router in a LAN to WAN cascading network configuration. This isolates network traffic to only the two simulator computers. The WAN port on the router is connected to the home Ethernet network to obtain internet access. The router is then connected by Ethernet cables to both flight simulator computers. Ethernet cables are also used for interfacing with flight deck hardware components.
Static or fixed IP address are assigned to the “FltSim” and “Avionics” computers. This is required for the ProSim737 software. The DHCP address range of the router is examined to choose unique static IP address for each computer that is outside of the DHCP range.
The router is configured to enable Wi-Fi access. This allows an iPad to be used for displaying Navigraph charts, maps, and procedures.
