What is a level shifter and is it required in order to use the PS2 control system?
Different electronic circuits may require or be limited to different voltages for their signals. For example, two common voltages are 3.3 and 5 volts. A level shifter interfaces between two different circuits so that they may work together.
I’m on my phone, so can’t look it up easily, but I think the PS2 receiver is a 3.3 volt device, while the Botboarduino is a 5 volt device. Or vice versa, but in either case the level shifter allows these two devices to talk to each other.
Think of two people, one who barely whispers and one with a big booming voice who is a little deaf. One would not hear the other comfortably. A level shifter automatically adjusts the volume so communication can take place.
One is required to use the current PS2 controller.
Thank you for that info. That was very helpful!