GP32 Hardware Info

[r0lf]

I could probably search for all this, but I'm lazy, and stupid... please flame accordingly

I got an opportunity to build some hardware and choose the gp32 as a nice challenge...

I was thinking of a ps/2 to ext port adaptor, but before i make any bold claims i need the following help;

- where to get a connector? anyone wanna donate one to a good cause?
- pin outs for the ext port? or any data?
- some simple gp32 code that can test the various i/o on the ext port? Any takers...? otherwise examples of reading and writing the port would be very helpful.

Lastly, a question for the dev's here, how would you like it? I mean keyboard / mouse data? Would you like the PS/2 signals passed straight through and you handle the PS/2 control yourself (boring but powerful) or would you like a simple scan code from the keyboard?

I'm determined to do this... or atleast something invovling the gp32. I have access to fantastic design tools for a short time and wanted to make the most of it.

Thanks in advance for your help...

 

[AlexW]

This sound cool... but don't you have to have a powersource... a PS/2 keyboard takes the power from computer for example? other than that it would not be complicated because ext connect has serialpins and PS/2 is a serial connector...

Some info could be found here:
http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/jikorhon/condev/gp32/
And here...
http://www.xs4all.nl/~abvuijk/darkfader/gp32/

 

[nerd of nerds]

This sound cool... but don't you have to have a powersource... a PS/2 keyboard takes the power from computer for example? other than that it would not be complicated because ext connect has serialpins and PS/2 is a serial connector...

Some info could be found here:
http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/jikorhon/condev/gp32/
And here...
http://www.xs4all.nl/~abvuijk/darkfader/gp32/

ummm, the ext port DOES have poewr... wether its the right voltage or not, i don't know.

 

[AlexW]

This sound cool... but don't you have to have a powersource... a PS/2 keyboard takes the power from computer for example? other than that it would not be complicated because ext connect has serialpins and PS/2 is a serial connector...

Some info could be found here:
http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/jikorhon/condev/gp32/
And here...
http://www.xs4all.nl/~abvuijk/darkfader/gp32/

ummm, the ext port DOES have poewr... wether its the right voltage or not, i don't know.

Yes it does 3.3v but a PS/2 has 5v so a powersource of somekind is needed...

But a battery pack (3*1.5=4.5v) should do the trick... and if you build some cable including a battery pack thingy then everything is possible I think...

 

[r0lf]

Hello again all,

The circuit itself will require 5v, whilst it might be possible to use something to bring the 3v3 up to 5, the ps/2 spec is for like 180ma and my circuit will be unprotected so drawing power from the GP would be bad karma.

I've done some basic schematics, and have the ps/2 interface sorted (i think). At the moment it's ps/2 to serial, the circuit has the smarts to take care of the keyboard and send a simple scancode to a serial connection. I've got basic stuff for a mouse done, but until i do some testing heaven knows if it will work.

I'm trying to make it so, gp32 software can switch between 'smart' mode (which inits the ps2 devices and feeds back data to the gp serial in a friendly manner) and just a dumb 'route the ps2 pins to IO pins on the gp' mode. So if a developer wants to talk directly to the devices they can.

I *really* need a connector to suit the ext port. I saw links to one on www.sebo2000.com but they don't seem to be selling stuff at the moment (?). Does anybody out there have one they would like to sell? or know somewhere I can get one? Pretty soon i'm going to reach a point where I can't do anymore without testing it on the gp32 1st.

Lastly, I'm not entirely sure this project will be very home brewable for reasons I will reveal once completed. I don't know for sure yet.

Cheers!

 

[nigelibrown]

try this, not a very cheap way of getting the cables but hey! please let us know if you find better

http://www.activemobiles.com/Samsung_E105_Data_Cables.htm