14 Jan
2008
14 Jan
'08
10:06 a.m.
Martin Bishop wrote:
The Microchip USB PICs can implement a HID class
driver compatible (USB)
device and inject key codes into windows. Since the reports are built
in the PIC, any (USB Kbd HID) legal codes can be generated. The LK-201
to USB keycode mapping can be done to taste in the PIC.
AVRs can do the same, but I think the OP was wanting IBM KB to DEC, not
DEC KB to IBM. In the former, the PIC needs to implement USB host
(which I am sure there are variants, as I know some of the AVRs can be a
DEVICE or a HOST).
This would *definitely* work, to venture an opinion
the PS2 interface
should work but would be "harder".
Given the ease of the AT/PS/2 protocol and my experience with USB HID, I
would disagree. The mechanical and electrical for USB requires more
thought, and you need to get specific USB-capable uC variants (or use
libUSB of some variant, but that's even more work). The PS/2 protocol
to RS423 is something any PIC or AVR can do, even though with as few as
8 pins (serial and a few IO pins, everything is as 5 volts, and if you
don't care about sending codes back to the KB, you can simply watch the
clock signals from the KB to get your scan codes).
Still, I think the work has already been done by "babel" project.
Jim