Light & Engineering Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 81-87, 2015 Svetotekhnika No. 6, 2015, pp. 17-20 EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON THE PERFORMANCE OF OPTICAL MINISTICKS WITH A COMMON RECEIVER Sergey A. Golubin1,2, Alexei N. Lomanov1, Vladimir S. Nikitin1, and Valery M. Komarov1 1P.A. <...> Experimental research was carried out in order to determine the performance characteristics of the designed ministicks. <...> Keywords: digital ministick, elastic deformation, control system, photodiode, semiconductor laser, microcontroller Various input devices are used to manipulate objects in aviation and robotics, portable electronic devices, 3D modelling and videogames: keyboards, mice, joysticks, trackballs, touch panels and touch screens. <...> Most of the existing ministicks are based on a resistive principle: defl ection of a ministick’s handle changes the resistance of sensing elements. <...> Ministicks: a) based on potentiometers, b) based on resistive strips, c) EasyPoint EP40–101, d) MD-14 based on polymer elastic deformation element 81 Light & Engineering Vol. 23, No. 4 vice has the following advantages: simple design, mass production potential, high durability due to an absence of rubbing parts, low cost (< $1), low noise, fi re and explosion safety, injury free operation, light weight, multi functionality (possible reprogramming). <...> Schematic diagram of an optical ministick: 1 – circuit plate; 2 – body; 3 – handle; 4 – elastic deformation element, 5 – light-refl ecting surface, 6 – photoelectric converter (photodiode, photoresistor); 7 – light source (light-emitting diode, laser) sing elements. <...> Tenzosensor LLC developed the MD-14 resistive ministick based on polymer elastic deformation element with resisitve coating. <...> The ministick has a highly linear performance and lasts for as many as 1 million defl ections in each direction, but its high price prohibits the mass application of the device. <...> Compared to existing ministicks, this deFig. 2 shows the schematic diagram of an optical ministick consisting of a body (2) positioned on a plate (1) and an elastic deformation element (4) integral with a handle (3). <...> The elastic deformation element (4) in the form of a part made of elastic polymer <...>