Converting Amiga Keyboard to PC PS2 or USB

Zetr0 · 17 June 2007, 01:56

Hello there my forum chums

I have a current project thats going very well, and if i may seek a moment of your time i would appreciate a comfirmation (and information) on a couple of thingies.

I need to convert an Amiga Keyboard to use either PS2 or USB (preferably the former)

Now here is the crux.

I have a CDTV keyboard (this has the regular clock / +5 / gnd and data)

Q1:
would this just plumb stright across and be used as an AT keyboard or do i need to modify it in anyway?

I also have an A1200 keyboard (standard ribion no logic)

Q2:
What would I need to convert an a1200 keyboard for it to work on the PS2 as an AT keyboard or worse case scenario USB ?

before you ask using any other keyboard is not an option with my project it has to be either of these two.

I appreciate your help in advance

Jope · 17 June 2007, 02:11

Q1: Use a PIC or similar microcontroller, read the Amiga keyboard with two of the GPIO pins and talk AT keyboard protocol or USB data from two other pins.

The PS2/AT keyboard protocol is documented on the net and the Amiga keyboard protocol is documented in the Hardware manual (part of the RKM set).

Q2: you would need a keyboard controller that translates the key matrix into keycodes and sends them using a suitable protocol. One such controller exists on the A1200 motherboard, but you could also use the A500 keyboard controller PCB. The A500 controller must be from a keyboard with a single flexi cable coming from the keyboard matrix to the controller board.

Then you would again need some kind of microcontroller to change the amiga keyboard protocol into AT/PS2 or USB.

Mind you that AT/PS2 is a few orders of magnitude easier to talk than USB, and you can get PS2 -> USB protocol converters cheaply. I have a few, because I love my old keytronic keyboards, but modern PCs no longer have PS2 sockets. :-)

Edit: Oh, Q2 can also be easily solved by getting a MicroniK A1200 keyboard case. Those happen to output AT/PS2 keycodes and protocol, not Amiga protocol for some reason..

keropi · 17 June 2007, 02:36

one word , KEYRAH .

http://amiga.think42.com/news/news109_e.htm

Zetr0 · 17 June 2007, 03:16

@jope

thank you jopelicious, i shall review and revise more in that order..

@Keropi
hmmm the more i look at it... the more i am concerned about space. it looks a little big...

but thanks for the heads up guys.

keropi · 17 June 2007, 03:25

hmmm

amigakit.com KEYRAH amiga version

I think it will fit...

Jope · 17 June 2007, 13:50

How could I forget the keyrah..

/me slaps himself.

Zetr0 · 17 June 2007, 13:58

@jope
you were doing that to your beer belly earlier while waiting for pizza.... i wonder if you are begining to enjoy it to much.... (the slapping not the pizza)

there is help available .... from what ironclaw has told me.

anyways cheers for your help on this jope-a-licious, i have managed to secure a micronik keyboard converter kit ( converts a1200 membrane to AT

)

Jope · 17 June 2007, 14:14

Slapping and pizza go hand in hand. Good to hear you found something suitable. :-)

Shoonay · 18 June 2007, 01:42

Hey Zetr0, ever thought about something like this?

Just solder a 5 meter long cable and you're all set.

Methanoid · 18 June 2007, 09:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by keropi

hmmm

amigakit.com KEYRAH amiga version

I think it will fit...

I want one for an A500 .... could make some fun projects

Zetr0 · 18 June 2007, 09:08

@Shoonay

WOW!!! Great Gods its a MONSTER!!!!! mommy!!!!!

the only use i can see of this is if the a1200 mobo was being retro-fitted into an a500 chassis.... thats no mean feat of soldering either!

Jope · 18 June 2007, 09:19

If an A1200 mobo were retro-fitted into an A500 chassis, I'd use the A500 keyboard and just connect the clk and dat lines directly to the CIA chip! Only eight wires to solder instead of 40.. ;-)

Besides, the A1200 keyboard controller sucks a$$ - rollovers don't work like on all the other Amigas, thus you get keys in the wrong order if you type quickly.

Zetr0 · 18 June 2007, 12:55

@jope

I totaly agree the a1200 kb controller brings about a whole new dimension of a$$ suckage!

I used to have an a600 before and during, I was heavly into octamed and tracking and i would awalys write my cord structures on the 600, simpley because if you used more than two keys on the 1200 the 3rd or more would be ignored

damn awkward!

ElectroBlaster · 18 June 2007, 15:53

That Keyrah looks interesting

edit: has anyone bought this keyrah? I would like too see how it works in an a1200

Zetr0 · 18 June 2007, 17:37

but it converts it to usb.... do you mean how it would look in an a1200... intruth i am curious as to how it would mount in an a1200...

hmmm

it would seem if you wanted to align those ports the ribbion cable from the keyboard membrane wouldn`t fit (not long enough).

17 June 2007, 01:56	#1
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	Converting Amiga Keyboard to PC PS2 or USB Hello there my forum chums I have a current project thats going very well, and if i may seek a moment of your time i would appreciate a comfirmation (and information) on a couple of thingies. I need to convert an Amiga Keyboard to use either PS2 or USB (preferably the former) Now here is the crux. I have a CDTV keyboard (this has the regular clock / +5 / gnd and data) Q1: would this just plumb stright across and be used as an AT keyboard or do i need to modify it in anyway? I also have an A1200 keyboard (standard ribion no logic) Q2: What would I need to convert an a1200 keyboard for it to work on the PS2 as an AT keyboard or worse case scenario USB ? before you ask using any other keyboard is not an option with my project it has to be either of these two. I appreciate your help in advance

18 June 2007, 15:53	#14
ElectroBlaster Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Exeter, Devon, UK Age: 49 Posts: 1,711	That Keyrah looks interesting edit: has anyone bought this keyrah? I would like too see how it works in an a1200 Last edited by ElectroBlaster; 18 June 2007 at 16:17.

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17 June 2007, 02:11	#2
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,880	Q1: Use a PIC or similar microcontroller, read the Amiga keyboard with two of the GPIO pins and talk AT keyboard protocol or USB data from two other pins. The PS2/AT keyboard protocol is documented on the net and the Amiga keyboard protocol is documented in the Hardware manual (part of the RKM set). Q2: you would need a keyboard controller that translates the key matrix into keycodes and sends them using a suitable protocol. One such controller exists on the A1200 motherboard, but you could also use the A500 keyboard controller PCB. The A500 controller must be from a keyboard with a single flexi cable coming from the keyboard matrix to the controller board. Then you would again need some kind of microcontroller to change the amiga keyboard protocol into AT/PS2 or USB. Mind you that AT/PS2 is a few orders of magnitude easier to talk than USB, and you can get PS2 -> USB protocol converters cheaply. I have a few, because I love my old keytronic keyboards, but modern PCs no longer have PS2 sockets. :-) Edit: Oh, Q2 can also be easily solved by getting a MicroniK A1200 keyboard case. Those happen to output AT/PS2 keycodes and protocol, not Amiga protocol for some reason..

17 June 2007, 02:36	#3
keropi . Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ioannina/Greece Posts: 5,040	one word , KEYRAH . http://amiga.think42.com/news/news109_e.htm

17 June 2007, 03:16	#4
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@jope thank you jopelicious, i shall review and revise more in that order.. @Keropi hmmm the more i look at it... the more i am concerned about space. it looks a little big... but thanks for the heads up guys.

17 June 2007, 03:25	#5
keropi . Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ioannina/Greece Posts: 5,040	hmmm amigakit.com KEYRAH amiga version I think it will fit...

17 June 2007, 13:50	#6
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,880	How could I forget the keyrah.. /me slaps himself.

17 June 2007, 13:58	#7
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@jope you were doing that to your beer belly earlier while waiting for pizza.... i wonder if you are begining to enjoy it to much.... (the slapping not the pizza) there is help available .... from what ironclaw has told me. anyways cheers for your help on this jope-a-licious, i have managed to secure a micronik keyboard converter kit ( converts a1200 membrane to AT )

17 June 2007, 14:14	#8
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,880	Slapping and pizza go hand in hand. Good to hear you found something suitable. :-)

18 June 2007, 01:42	#9
Shoonay Global Caturator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Porando Age: 43 Posts: 6,107	Hey Zetr0, ever thought about something like this? Just solder a 5 meter long cable and you're all set.

18 June 2007, 09:08	#11
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@Shoonay WOW!!! Great Gods its a MONSTER!!!!! mommy!!!!! the only use i can see of this is if the a1200 mobo was being retro-fitted into an a500 chassis.... thats no mean feat of soldering either!

18 June 2007, 09:19	#12
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,880	If an A1200 mobo were retro-fitted into an A500 chassis, I'd use the A500 keyboard and just connect the clk and dat lines directly to the CIA chip! Only eight wires to solder instead of 40.. ;-) Besides, the A1200 keyboard controller sucks a$$ - rollovers don't work like on all the other Amigas, thus you get keys in the wrong order if you type quickly.

18 June 2007, 12:55	#13
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	@jope I totaly agree the a1200 kb controller brings about a whole new dimension of a$$ suckage! I used to have an a600 before and during, I was heavly into octamed and tracking and i would awalys write my cord structures on the 600, simpley because if you used more than two keys on the 1200 the 3rd or more would be ignored damn awkward!

18 June 2007, 17:37	#15
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 49 Posts: 9,768	but it converts it to usb.... do you mean how it would look in an a1200... intruth i am curious as to how it would mount in an a1200... hmmm it would seem if you wanted to align those ports the ribbion cable from the keyboard membrane wouldn`t fit (not long enough).

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