11 May
2021
11 May
'21
10:46 a.m.
Last year I created an LK201 keyboard emulator that uses a USB keyboard.
More recently I extended that work to create a second one that uses a PS-2 keyboard
instead. Partly because I had one and figured it would be fun to try.
You can find both designs on Github at https://github.com/pkoning2/lk201emu . The
"doc" directory describes both; in particular, file doc/kicad.md talks about the
hardware design, with pointers to an OSHPark layout, a parts BOM, and assembly
instructions.
The new one is slightly larger than the old (2 by 2 inches, rather than 2 by 1.5). I like
the audio implementation a bit better; perhaps I'll revise the USB version to use that
same technique.
Enjoy. Comments and feedback will be much appreciated, either by email or on this list or
as "issues" on Github.
paul
11 May
11 May
12:41 a.m.
On 5/11/2021 11:46 AM, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
Last year I created an LK201 keyboard emulator that
uses a USB keyboard.
More recently I extended that work to create a second one that uses a PS-2 keyboard
instead. Partly because I had one and figured it would be fun to try.
You can find both designs on Github at https://github.com/pkoning2/lk201emu . The
"doc" directory describes both; in particular, file doc/kicad.md talks about the
hardware design, with pointers to an OSHPark layout, a parts BOM, and assembly
instructions.
The new one is slightly larger than the old (2 by 2 inches, rather than 2 by 1.5). I
like the audio implementation a bit better; perhaps I'll revise the USB version to use
that same technique.
Enjoy. Comments and feedback will be much appreciated, either by email or on this list
or as "issues" on Github.
paul
Unicomp is still around, so you buy a real 'Clicky Keyboard'. USB or PS2.
https://www.pckeyboard.com/
Ben.
12:17 p.m.
On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 10:49:05 AM PDT, Paul Koning via cctech <cctech at
classiccmp.org> wrote:
Last year I created an LK201 keyboard emulator that
uses a USB keyboard.
Just curious; have you thought of adding VSXXX-?? mouse emulation, using input from either
USB or PS/2 mouse?
With a mini-DIN output? These are becoming hard to find (aside perhaps from our Australian
member who mentions having them by the kg).
Speaking of which; are any of those mice for sale? I could use another VSXXX-BB --
access.bus for Personal Decstation -- which are even rarer.
12:22 p.m.
On May 11, 2021, at 3:17 PM, Jonathan Stone
<kiwi_jonathan at yahoo.com> wrote:
On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, 10:49:05 AM PDT, Paul Koning via cctech <cctech at
classiccmp.org> wrote:
No, I don't have anything that would use such a device.
It's probably easy enough to do. The USB keyboard emulator is a device that has a USB
host connector that accepts a keyboard, and an RS232 output to connect to the terminal.
If you have some other device to emulate where the new hardware is USB (like a mouse) and
the DEC side is a UART, it would be a matter of new software plus perhaps a different
connector. One big question would be the need to dig up the protocols at the two ends.
The LK201 protocol is spelled out in great detail in the Pro technical manual; if you can
find the mouse protocol documentation then it's just SMOP.
By all means feel free to grab the design and fork it to do what you want. As I said,
I'm not likely to do it myself given the lack of anything to try it on.
paul
Last year I created an LK201 keyboard emulator
that uses a USB keyboard.
Just curious; have you thought of adding VSXXX-?? mouse emulation, using input from
either USB or PS/2 mouse?
With a mini-DIN output? These are becoming hard to find (aside perhaps from our
Australian member who mentions having them by the kg). 
10:17 p.m.
Jonathan said
Just curious; have you thought of adding VSXXX-??
mouse emulation, using input from either USB or PS/2 mouse?
With a mini-DIN output? These are becoming hard to find (aside perhaps from our
Australian member who mentions having them by the kg).
Said Australian member here... I did indeed mention it. Here is a photo of exactly 3kg of
DEC VSXXX-GA mice:
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/VS-XXX-GA_mice_3kg.jpg
I'm not sure what I'll do with them. I'll keep some for my pile of DEC
workstations. Trade perhaps? I haven't tested them yet.
Steve.
12 May
12 May
9:53 a.m.
On May 12, 2021, at 1:17 AM, Steve Malikoff via cctalk
<cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Jonathan said
I remember those. I thought Jonathan was talking about the round ones, but I suppose the
protocol is identical. There was also a tablet, same interface I believe. I used one of
those to trace some topo maps.
Does anyone know of protocol documentation for these devices?
paul
Just curious; have you thought of adding VSXXX-??
mouse emulation, using input from either USB or PS/2 mouse?
With a mini-DIN output? These are becoming hard to find (aside perhaps from our
Australian member who mentions having them by the kg).
Said Australian member here... I did indeed mention it. Here is a photo of exactly 3kg of
DEC VSXXX-GA mice:
http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/VS-XXX-GA_mice_3kg.jpg 
10:12 a.m.
On 12/05/2021 17:53, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
I remember those. I thought Jonathan was talking
about the round ones, but I suppose the protocol is identical. There was also a tablet,
same interface I believe. I used one of those to trace some topo maps.
Does anyone know of protocol documentation for these devices?
paul
The normal mouse specs are in VCB02 Video Subsystem Technical Manual,
EK-104AA-TM-001 (appendix C).
The LK201 is in there too.
I think I have one of those mice with the non-round connector, but I
also have a MIPS DECstation that I now suspect needs it :-)
Antonio
--
Antonio Carlini
antonio at acarlini.com
10:31 a.m.
On Wed, May 12, 2021 at 11:12 AM Antonio Carlini via cctalk <
cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 12/05/2021 17:53, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
Is that the same one the DEC Rainbow needs for DECwindows?
Warner
I remember those. I thought Jonathan was talking
about the round ones,
but I suppose the protocol is identical. There was also a
tablet, same
interface I believe. I used one of those to trace some topo maps.
Does anyone know of protocol documentation for these devices?
paul
The normal mouse specs are in VCB02 Video Subsystem Technical Manual,
EK-104AA-TM-001 (appendix C).
The LK201 is in there too.
I think I have one of those mice with the non-round connector, but I
also have a MIPS DECstation that I now suspect needs it :-)
10:47 a.m.
On May 12, 2021, at 1:12 PM, Antonio Carlini via
cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 12/05/2021 17:53, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
Got it, thanks. 8 bits plus parity, you don't see that very often.
A quick scan confirms that this would be doable. It's a fair amount of new software,
plus a different host connection. 7 pin mini-DIN connectors are readily available so the
simplest answer would be to put such a connector on the board and rely on a cable with
connectors at both ends, but I don't know how hard those are to find.
As I said before, I'm not likely to do such a project, but anyone who's interested
can use the existing designs as a starting point.
paul
I remember those. I thought Jonathan was talking
about the round ones, but I suppose the protocol is identical. There was also a tablet,
same interface I believe. I used one of those to trace some topo maps.
Does anyone know of protocol documentation for these devices?
paul
The normal mouse specs are in VCB02 Video Subsystem Technical Manual,
EK-104AA-TM-001 (appendix C).
The LK201 is in there too.
12:04 p.m.
On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 10:12:15 AM PDT, Antonio Carlini via cctalk <cctalk at
classiccmp.org> wrote:
On 12/05/2021 17:53, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
The normal mouse specs are in VCB02 Video Subsystem
Technical Manual,
EK-104AA-TM-001 (appendix C).
The LK201 is in there too.
It's possibly in the VCB01 docs;. Decades ago in New Zealand I had a Vaxstation II/RC
with QVSS.
The kernel, user-mapped producer/consumer ringbuffer code with hardware-to-X-event is the
same for both.
On NetBSD, probably microvax 3x00 and DECstation/turbochannelAlpha, too. I know I'used
both two-roller and one-ball "puck" mice on a mix while in grad school.
I think I have one of those mice with the non-round
connector, but I
also have a MIPS DECstation that I now suspect needs it :-)
The Personal Decstation (5000 /20, /25, /33, and /50) need an "access.bus"
mouse, 8-pin but with latches on the side. flatter than RJ-45. VSXXX-BB? All other
DECstations use the same round mini-DIN as QVSS/QDSS, via the 15-pin to MMJ/mini-DIN
cable.
Oddly enough I saw a PS2 keyboard-and-mouse to LK201/VSXXX adapter for sale on eBay, but
it's US $350 or thereabouts.
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-
a.carlini＠ntlworld.com -
bfranchuk＠jetnet.ab.ca -
imp＠bsdimp.com -
kiwi_jonathan＠yahoo.com -
paulkoning＠comcast.net -
steven＠malikoff.com