Battery warning in Falco terminals

[Brent Hilpert]

On 2018-Nov-20, at 5:11 AM, Al Kossow via cctalk wrote:
> On 11/19/18 11:54 PM, Brent Hilpert wrote:
> 
>> I didn't have need / get as far as doing an I/O map or memory map for the Z80.
>> 
>> Should I send these files along?
>> 
> 
> Yes, please to dumps/docs and board/terminal pics from you and Mike!
> 
> I'm sure Richard would appreciate these as well for the terminals wiki.
> 
> They have a preliminary memory and I/O map in the MAME driver
> 
> Falco keyboards are pretty funky. They use transformer-coupled switches
> with a core that slides between coils on the top and bottom of the PCB
> 
> They appear to use a serial bitstream for the keypresses. EPROM dumps
> from the later keyboards with an 8035 would be very useful too, since
> CHM has a later model 52xx terminal with a 5 pin DIN, but I've been
> unable to find the keyboard.
> 
> I'm guessing the TS-1 series all used the same PCB with different keyboards
> and firmware.
> 
> The Fame series use 267x CRT controllers. The 52xx have a custom video ASIC
> I've not seen the insides of any of the Fame series.


(The TS-1 data files have been sent to Al.)

I did happen to RE the keyboard and analyse it's functioning some as it needed repair, so that's included in the schematic bits.

The PCB-transformer key design is novel, but (in the TS-1) so is the scanning & communication.
There is no microcontroller on the keyboard, scanning is performed by the main unit, it sends a key matrix address to the keyboard in serial, the keyboard sends back nothing but a binary key-pressed indication.