Is a 3600-PRO / 9600-PRO replacement needed? (as a product that is)

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TedThompson's picture
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Is a 3600-PRO / 9600-PRO replacement needed? (as a product that is)

So I've largely completed my PS2-//e interface and since the 3600PRO uses odd voltages for the keyboard scan I decided to replace it.

 

I did this by removing the 3600PRO and connecting my microcontroller to the IC socket as well as making a few other connections to the keyboard connector.  The code works fine, and I am able to type and reset and use the "Apple keys" with no issue, but this got me thinking.

 

I was warned of counterfeits on the market, and that coupled with it no longer being made, makes me wonder if a plugin replacement is something the community needs?  I assume the PS2 adapter isn't so interesting, but I could easily add the row and column scanning to my code and make a substitute for this encoder.

 

The question is, is there any need for it - or is it an answer to a question no one asked?

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PS/2 keyboards are starting

PS/2 keyboards are starting to get scarce, hence there not being a huge demand for that any more.  USB keyboard support would make it a desirable product I'd think.  There are already a couple of USB keyboard solutions for the //e, but most of those I've seen plug into the keyboard connector and require the nromal 3600-PRO circuit to be working.  I'd think there would be room for a solution that plugged in there.

 

TedThompson's picture
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Gamers will keep them alive I

Gamers will keep them alive I think. I personally prefer them because on my PC I can set BIOS to recognize ctrl-esc as a power on signal .Which means I no longer need to keep the tower in an accessible location.  Can't remember the last time I needed to put a CD/DVD rom in and of course floppies are no more (I don't think windows 10 even supports them anymore)

 

Anywho...  USB could be a thing. I wanted ps2 because of my preference for them but it's an idea. 

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Do mobos even have PS/2

Do mobos even have PS/2 connectors anymore?  I haven't had one that did in at least like 10 years.  Admittedly I'm not a big gamer.  I mostly use Logitech wireless USB kyb/mouse combo these days.

 

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So called gaming mobos almost

So called gaming mobos almost always have them - mostly for n key rollover even tho few ps2 keyboards actually implement the diode isolation required for true n key rollover.  I suppose its mostly marketing but they natter on about n key roll over and latency and so on. Many gaming keyboards either auto switch or can be manually set to usb or ps/2 even tho they only have a usb connector, manufacturers supply a pin to pin adapter to get it connected . 

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Keyboard Replacement by PS/2 or USB

I'm also playing with the replacement of original keyboard by PS/2  I also introduce a connector to plug a bluetooth module...

my idea is to create a small box  (arduino size) to which I would connect a USB keyboard and send USB scancode converted to PS/2 through bluetooth serial

Actually I have prototype of board for 7 or 8 machines  (not yet the Apple IIe)  [Apple II / several Commodore /  Tandy Coco / Oric / PC XT]

 

when the first batch works I'll make a board for the Apple IIe too...

 

 

 

 

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I've been considering a

I've been considering a similar project, but I want to scan the //e keyboard with the microcontroller, then simultaneously emulate the 3600-PRO through its socket and send the usual PC-style keyboard data out over the USB port.

 

I think I'll have to add blocking diodes to every key for it to work right, though.  Oof.

 

How timing-critical did your implementation end up being?  I was going to try to use a 12 MHz 8-bit Teensy++ 2.0 that I happen to have lying around, but I am worried that it may not be fast enough, if the clocking is critical.

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The 3600 scans with a clock

The 3600 scans with a clock around 50kc. Aside from that everything is "on demand"  the 3600 puts out a 20us pluse saying " I got data" to the system while simultaneously setting the address bits to the keyboard ROM (which remain that way until a new key is pressed,  even when the 1st key is released the address bits remain set). Later the system polls the ROM for the keycode .

 

No real timing issues to speak of really (nano has a 16mhz clock)  

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Cool, sounds like what I've

Cool, sounds like what I've got will work then.  Thanks!  :D

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