[iPAQ] Re: On Twiddler2 / PS2Ser converter

Hello,

oops, sorry, i haven't read the ipaq list for a few days.

I've done the original PS2/Serial converter and since a few persons asked
now, here are the latest news on it:
 - there was a PIC based version, but i don't recommend it any longer (the
   PIC is more expensive and more difficult to program/erase) - i prefer
   using ATMEL uCs now
 - the latest version is based on a ATMEL AT90S2313 and is described at
        http://www.iptel-now.de/HOWTO/PS2SER/ps2ser.html
 - there is a Linux driver using the input interface that compiles for all
   the platforms that people mentioned (x86, ARM). From what i understood
   the driver will be part of the standard Linux tree once the Linux
   Console project interface becomes standard (that was formerly announced
   for Linux 2.5)
   You can compile the module with existing kernels of course already.
   See the "Linux Console Project"
        http://sourceforge.net/projects/linuxconsole
   for details and code download.
 - the converter (using another microcontroller software) can also
   "emulate" a Stowaway-like keyboard (that might be helpful for people
   not using Linux but for example WinCE/PocketPC). The driver is very
   basic and not mature though (and i won't probably spend more time on
   it since i don't use it)

 - more and more people were asking me about getting a prebuilt converter,
   sorry if i didn't answer a few requests, just too many things to do.
    => that is rather difficult for me (university work, PhD thesis)
   BUT:
 - i'll layout a PCB board and post a detailed part list + plan how to
   solder all the components (sorry if things where not to obvious till
   now, it was mainly meant as "experimental")
 - if i find a way to let the PCB be produced at small quantities i will
   also sell those + components or precompiled converters at the cost of
   the components (so that's not a business but kind of service to the
   people trying to use it)

I'll try answering individual questions on the topic too, so just drop me
an email if there are questions/problems.

best regards
 ralf

--
Best regards,
 Ralf Ackermann
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On Fri, 18 Jan 2002, Andrew Ilgunas wrote:
>
> Heya All!
>
> 	I've inherited a Twiddler2 that would be wonderful to use on my
> 3765.  Currently it's running familiar 0.5, but with the 1GB CF on the
> way, it'll have intimate running on it in a few weeks. (wohoo!).
>
> 	In the mean time, I've been scouring the lists, archives, FAQ's,
> web and even the Holy Bible for answers on how to make the connection
> between the Twiddler and the ipaq.  The 2 references I've found were from Ralf
> Ackerman:
>
> 	http://www.iptel-now.de/HOWTO/STOWAWAY_LIKE/stowaway_like.html
>
> 			and
>
> 	http://www.iptel-now.de/HOWTO/PIC/pic.html
>
> 	It seems that these are two different designs and I don't know
> which I should build.  I know how to solder wires to a board, but that's
> really about the extent of my experience.
>
> 	My questions are:
>
> 	-Do I NEED to build a custom PS/2-DB9 converter with a PIC?(I have
> a serial cable for the ipaq) or can I get away with a dumb PS/2-DB9
> (female-female) converter that I can get at Radio Shack?
>
> 	-Are there any commercially available such converters?
>
> 	-What is the practical difference between the 2 designs of the
> above URLs? (Apart that one has it's own power supply)
>
> 	-Did I somehow overlook a simpler way of connecting the two
> devices?
>
> 	Any Help would be GREATLY appreciated and rewarded with glorious
> praise and reverence.
>
>  __^__                   	   		    __^__
> ( ___ )--------------------------------------------( ___ )
>  | / | -Andrew Ilgunas   			    | \ |
>  | / | www.ilgunas.net             		    | \ |
>  | / | www.deathkeep.com	   		    | \ |
>  | / |                    	   		    | \ |
>  | / |Defect borg: Refutile is sistance.            | \ |
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-- 
--
Best regards,
 Ralf Ackermann