A converter for connecting a 'qwerty' or 'azerty' USB keyboard to the keyboard port of the MSX2 OMEGA computer. Imported from my old github account : https://github.com/sillycony/USB-keyboard-to-OMEGA-converter
Released under the cc-by-sa-4.0 license for non-commercial use
| Value | Designator | Footprint | Quantity | Manufacturer Part | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3uF | C1 | CAP-SMD_L3.5-W2.8-R-RD | 1 | T491B335K016AT | KEMET |
| 100uF | C3 | CAP-SMD_L3.5-W2.8-R-RD | 1 | TAJB107M010RNJ | AVX |
| 10uF | C6 | C0805 | 1 | 0805F106M160NT | FH |
| 100nF | C7,C4,C5,C2 | C0805 | 4 | CL21B104KCFNNNE | SAMSUNG |
| 2510S-4P | CN1 | CONN-TH_4P-P2.54_A2510S-4P | 1 | 2510S-4P | Shenzhen Cankemeng |
| DS1023-2*8SF11 | H1 | HDR-TH_16P-P2.54-V-M-R2-C8-S2.54 | 1 | DS1023-2*8SF11 | CONNFLY |
| 17-21/G6C-FM1N2B/3T | LED1 | LED0805-RD | 1 | 17-21/G6C-FM1N2B/3T | EVERLIGHT |
| 330R | R1 | R0805 | 1 | TC0525B3300T5E | UniOhm |
| 1Ω | R2 | R1206 | 1 | RT1206BRD071RL | YAGEO |
| 1K | R3 | R0805 | 1 | 0805W8F1001T5E | UniOhm |
| 10K | R4 | R0805 | 1 | RT0805BRD0710KL | YAGEO |
| CH9350L | U1 | LQFP-48_L7.0-W7.0-P0.50-LS9.0-BL | 1 | CH9350L | WCH |
| STM32G030C8T6 | U2 | LQFP-48_L7.0-W7.0-P0.50-LS9.0-BL | 1 | STM32G030C8T6 | STMicroelectronics |
| LM1117MPX-3.3/NOPB | U3 | SOT-223-3_L6.5-W3.4-P2.30-LS7.0-BR | 1 | LM1117MPX-3.3/NOPB | TI |
| USB-A-F-90-H9.5 | USB1 | USB-A-TH_C168725 | 1 | USB-A-F-90-H9.5 | LCSC |
Note: This list is given as an indication. Please report any errors to [email protected]
Gerber file 'Gerber_PCB_USB KEYBOARD CONVERTER.zip' -> You can provide this file directly to the PCB manufacturer.
Elf files -> Choose the appropriate file for the type of keyboard used, 'azerty' OR 'qwerty'. The selected file must be programmed in the STM processor.
To program the processor, you will need to use an STLINK V2 type interface. This type of USB interface is easily found for a few dollars.
With this dongle, you will use the STM32CubeProgrammer software to program the processor flash.
You can download this software free to use at STM32CubeProgrammer.
All of these tools are very easy to use and shouldn't cause you any problems.
For both types of keyboard, 'azerty' and 'qwerty', the left modifier keys are used in this way:
| USB Keyboard | OMEGA Keyboard |
|---|---|
| LEFT-SHIFT | SHIFT |
| LEFT-CTRL | CTRL |
| LEFT-SYSTEM | GRAPH |
| LEFT-ALT | CODE |
| MAJ | CAPS LOCK |
On the 'azerty' type keyboard, the right modifiers key RIGHT-SHIFT and RIGHT-ALTGR are used to obtain characters which are not natively arranged in the same way as on the 'qwerty' keyboard such as the character '\' for example.
Once the converter has been produced and programmed, all you have to do is insert it into the keyboard connector of the Omega board and connect a USB keyboard to it.
However, be careful when inserting to place the converter well in the center of the OMEGA connector otherwise the pins may be shifted. This is, in principle, not dangerous for either the Omega board or the converter, but will prevent the computer from starting.
Enjoy and do not hesitate to let me know of your difficulties in assembly or use. This converter can also be adapted to other types of vintage computers other than Omega.
Konkotgit, https://github.com/konkotgit/JFF, created an MSX1 compatible board :
Due to the different design compared to the OMEGA board, Konkotgit has worked out a new implementation of this adapter which uses the same programming 'elf' file :
But, the original version of the USB keyboard adapter also works very well with the MSX1 JFF compatible computer
(A Jordi Solís realization)
- Fixed 'Esc' key code on QWERTY (US) keyboard.
- Addition of support management for TWO SIMULTANEOUS KEYS pressed for both keyboards (FR) & (US). (Thanks to Konrad)
- Fixed a potential metastability issue on column outputs to the MSX machine. (Thanks to Konrad)
- Place a 10K resistor in R4 in place of a 100K resistor. The component nomenclature has been updated accordingly.
Jordi Solís, https://msxmakers.design.blog/proyectos/omega-usb-keyb-ctrl, gave a particularly well-detailed description of the creation of his copy.
And thanks to him for correcting the nomenclature of the components, namely R4 which was referenced as being a 100M, when in fact it is a 100K at most. This is not stated in the nomenclature but a 10K resistor for R4 should even be sufficient.
Jordi also proved the feasibility of connecting this interface to a wireless USB keyboard. This is not specified in its test, but I assume that it is a bluetooth keyboard
Testing a wireless keyboard:
Jordi Solís also has an interesting GitHub page for MSX 'lovers': https://github.com/capsule5000 (I guess this is Jordi's page, based on the information I was able to find)
Albert Herranz, https://github.com/herraa1/msx-omega-usbkeybctrl-v1, took the original design and modified it slightly so that it could be made more easily by hand, and could be attached with screws. I suggest you visit his Github page where you will find his new creation files.
