So one thing that I have been wanting to do is connect a keyboard (PS/2) to the Picaxe.
This is the first step to a whole slew of applications. Control Robots with a keyboard, make a computer, etc...
Just offering another source of info on how to do this.
It's pretty easy to do.
Before you get started here's a list of what I used.
Picaxe "Canuck" 28X-1 Kit --bought from HVW Tech Canada
Standard Breadboard
Breadboard Voltage Regulator -- converts 6~18 VDC to 5VDC @ 0.5Amps, bought from HVW Tech Canada
USB Download cable -- (using the serial one won't make a difference)
You NEED two 4.7k resistors on the CLK and DATA line -- I used 20 470ohm resistors soldered together :P
*to make it look cleaner, should only be temporary*
PS/2 Port -- I got mine from an old P2 motherboard
Step 1: How will it connect?
There are several ways to go about this step:
If you don't want to ruin a keyboard or want to use a temporary one (until you can acquire one you're willing to spare) then..
Either desolder a keyboard port from a motherboard or connect pins/clamps to the male end of the plug.
You could also cut the cable really short then solder pins onto the line and plug that directly into a breadboard.
Step 2: Setup your breadboard
Here is a picture of mine ( notice I used 10 * 470ohm resistors to get a 4.7k resistor )
The keyboard would not transmit data of any sort to the Pic unless I had these in.
The schematic from "Picaxe manual #2, Page 42"
Step 3: Code
From here if you're on the Picaxe 28X-1 then you have to use the command
"Kbin[timeout, address], variable"
The above command broken down;
Kbin = Keyboard input
Timeout = How long the Pic will wait until moving on to address
Address = Where to go when it timesout
Variable = Value
or
"Kbin variable"
Kbin = Keyboard input
Variable = Value
Here is my test code.
-------------------------------------
'Boris Jovic Keyboard Input Test
main:
kbin[1000,main],b1
debug b1
goto main
-------------------------------------
And that's it, the values that come back in Debug will most likely be wonky until you set each value into eeprom.
Thanks for reading! Good luck.
