New board: ImpoSTer (USB keyboard/mouse & more)

[alanh]

Hi folks,

It's been a while, but I've been working on a new board for our Atari ST's.

It's called "ImpoSTer". It's basically an IKBD emulator that plugs into the keyboard port and works internally/externally.

But, it has USB interfaces for the keyboard & mouse, DB9's for the joystick ports, an LCD interface to display stuff and two keyboard ports, one to plug into the Atari, and the second to daisy chain an original keyboard/mouse with the USB keyboard/mouse.

It also can be reversed. So you can plug it into a PC and use an Atari keyboard/mouse/joysticks on a PC inside Windows too. The ultimate feel for emulators

I'll post some pictures later.

[mikro]

That sounds pretty cool, I assume it is full-featured USB and not only the PS/2 protocol?

[alanh]

Full featured USB.

[Cyprian]

Sounds cool

Full featured USB.

Does it mean we can use it for other purposes?

[alanh]

Possibly, at the moment it's just for USB Keyboard/Mouse. But you can certainly use more than one USB keyboard & Mouse and Hubs too.

But.... Remember this is hanging off the IKBD port which is 7812.5 baud.

There's always possibilities though..... I have future ideas that may well make them a fully fledged USB port to support other devices.

[stormy]

Will this be an open source project people can build themselves?

[alanh]

Unfortunately not at this time, maybe later.

[alanh]

Here's some photos.

Front/Top with the LCD connecting in host mode to the Atari.

imposter1.jpg

Right side with RJ11's for connection to the Atari, and second Atari Keyboard

imposter2.jpg

Left side with the mini-USB port for power or connection to a PC.

imposter3.jpg

Closer front.

imposter4.jpg

Upside down, but in USB Device Mode connecting to a PC.

imposter5.jpg

Inside showing the header connections for an internal installation.

imposterinside.jpg

[shoggoth]

Wow!

[alanh]

Thanks.

I got fed up with PS2 keyboards and Eiffels.... as I'm running low on PS2 stuff now.

[simonsunnyboy]

Nice project! A more modernized version of the Eiffel?

[DoG]

Nice. I like the reverse part as well.

[alanh]

Nice. I like the reverse part as well.

Me too

So, if you have an Atari Keyboard plugged in as well, you can actually have up to 4 Atari Joysticks in the PC. Two ports on the Atari KB & the 2 DB9's on the ImpoSTer.

[alanh]

The ImpoSTer can also take an RTC. The LCD is just a standard waveshare 3.3v 2.0" LCD.

[alanh]

And...

although the code isn't done yet. It has some GPIO header pins for general control.

But one thing I've done is allow the ImpoSTer to hook up to other internal boards for jumper control. I.E. the MonSTer has some jumpers for flash configuration and swapping of the IDE ports. Now the ImpoSTer can control those jumpers and store them in flash, so no more messing with jumpers and it's all configured via a programmatical interface.

[viking272]

Nice, some great innovations there Alan, looking forward to this.

[Tbs123456]

This looks so great! Will it also work on a TT and Falcon by chance? Any idea when you'll have it to market or cost?

[alanh]

This looks so great! Will it also work on a TT and Falcon by chance? Any idea when you'll have it to market or cost?

Yes, it should work on TT & Falcon. I should be able to verify that.

As for availability, I have a few boards ready now, and I might be looking for some early adopters to give bug reports/feedback.

[Tbs123456]

Let me know the price and if I can swing it, I'll test it out. I have a TT setup right now, just need to hookup my falcon.

[MegaSTEarian]

Nice one, thanks alanh!

When you are ready, give a price tag for it

[Perdrix24]

Very nice. I'm using a USB keyboard and mouse right now, with the USB drivers for NetUSBee. But I also need a PS/2 keyboard and mouse (with Eiffel) from time to time because the USB isn't available immediately at boot. Also the USB keyboard and mouse don't work in some graphics programs and most games. With this solution, I'll be able to ditch the PS/2 keyboard and mouse. It should also eliminate the need for the keyboard and mouse USB drivers. As a consequence, it should eliminate the load on the CPU, that the USB drivers take for polling the USB keyboard and mouse.

Two questions:

1. Will the mouse wheel be supported? This will require support of the Report Protocol, like in the USB drivers.

2. Will a single wireless USB receiver (that works for both keyboard and mouse) be supported? It is in the USB drivers.

Great work.

[alanh]

1. Will the mouse wheel be supported? This will require support of the Report Protocol, like in the USB drivers.

Yes, mouse wheel will be supported.

2. Will a single wireless USB receiver (that works for both keyboard and mouse) be supported? It is in the USB drivers.

If it reports as a USB HID Keyboard & Mouse, then it should.

[ragnar76]

It also can be reversed. So you can plug it into a PC and use an Atari keyboard/mouse/joysticks on a PC inside Windows too. The ultimate feel for emulators

Finally! No i can connect a TT Keyboard to my Raspi. How much and where?

[Atari030]

Wow!

Double wow

[Perdrix24]

I thought about trying to add XBOX wired joystick support to the USB drivers. I wonder if it could be added in ImpoSTer. So to use a USB joystick for games. Would that be useful?