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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Advice wanted for a keyboard for my boot2BASIC with Olimex Board

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Xian
Newbie

Joined: 19/03/2025
Location: Germany
Posts: 27
Posted: 12:25pm 31 May 2025
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Hey There,

as you can see from the picture, basically the Olimex board with a Pico 2 is working fine. The HDMI monitor is working fine - however, i have no clue, how to add a keyboard, so that i could make the boot to BASIC computer portable.
Are there any solutions to connect a USB keyboard on a different way? I obviously underestimated this part of the project.

Any suggestions/links/whatever is highly appreciated.

Thanks,
Christian



Edited 2025-05-31 22:26 by Xian
 
Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 7844
Posted: 12:53pm 31 May 2025
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It's possible to connect a keyboard or a non-powered hub to the USB port of the Pico, using the HDMIUSB version of MMBasic. You lose the console connection, so this has to be replaced by using a USB-TTL converter fed into a COM port of the Pico. The Pico can't have a second USB port so this is the only way.

It's also possible to connect a PS2 keyboard, using two pins for PS2__CLK and PS2_DAT.

There is also one I2C keyboard that can be used.
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
phil99

Guru

Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 2601
Posted: 01:06pm 31 May 2025
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I see you already have a USB/Serial adaptor for the console, leaving the Pico USB port free to act as host for a keyboard.
Sitting on your keyboard is what looks like a suitable adapter for a keyboard to plug into the Pico.

A basic no-frills USB keyboard should work but the minimalist USB implementation that will fit on a Pico doesn't support keyboards that require extra USB functions.

Some wireless ones will work, others not.
 
stanleyella

Guru

Joined: 25/06/2022
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2530
Posted: 01:20pm 31 May 2025
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hi Christian. I got a keyboard like yours with a wireless usb dongle. It doesn't work. check it on a win pc first!
As Mick said you need a usb to ttl converter using rx,tx,gnd for connection to pc.
a usb kb with mouse pad and mine got a laser pointer and a usb wireless dongle and hdmi usb version for 2350.
your supposed to power the olimex board usb 5V and kb plugs into 2350 pico.
 
mozzie
Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 132
Posted: 03:06pm 31 May 2025
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G'day Xian,
Looks like you have everything needed, can you please confirm you have 5V on 5VUSB(pin40) of the RP2350?
Can you plug a normal USB keyboard in to test?
If not, link VUSB(pin40) and VSYS(pin39) to power the USB dongle, hopefully this gets it to work. You may need to check the schematic for the board.

I have a different Rii keyboard / Touchpad (K12S) and unfortunately it doesn't work direct into the PicoMite for the reasons explained above, however I and others have had success with PS2x2 on a second Pico via the PS2 keyboard interface.

I am in the middle of adding the mouse onto the Pico Zero as well so both the mouse and keyboard work via PS2 interfaces, part of a bigger project.

Regards,
Lyle.
 
stanleyella

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Joined: 25/06/2022
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2530
Posted: 03:28pm 31 May 2025
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well for the umphry time I just set up trying 2 usb to ttl converters but I think I broke them.
the olimex has a usb that is to power the pico 2350 although sold for 2040. Imade the mistake of using the 3.3V and 5V to drive the olimex... I ordered more so let you know.
It did work so I'm kicking myself.
https://www.thebackshed.com/forum/ViewTopic.php?FID=16&TID=17958
 
Xian
Newbie

Joined: 19/03/2025
Location: Germany
Posts: 27
Posted: 03:34pm 31 May 2025
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  mozzie said  G'day Xian,
Looks like you have everything needed, can you please confirm you have 5V on 5VUSB(pin40) of the RP2350?


A wonderful day Lyle!

the 5V is making the difference. It is workikng as soon as i power the Olimex board with a 5V powerbank. Which is perfect. Now i "only need to find a decent housing.

My wireless keyboard is working perfect - had tested it before. I was assuming the battery power (3.7V) got stepped up on the Olimex board, which is incorrect. Looking at the circuit sheet i saw this only.

Thanks for the hints to all of you!

Best regards,

Christian

Footnote added 2025-06-01 01:59 by Xian


seems even the mouse-trackpad of the keyboard is recognised. So good to go now.

Thanks again!

Best regards,
Christian
 
mozzie
Senior Member

Joined: 15/06/2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 132
Posted: 04:36pm 31 May 2025
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G'day Christian,
That's great news  
Another keyboard to add to the list that work  

Regards,
Lyle.
 
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