KEYBOARD COMMUNICATIONS
The keyboard transmits 8-bit data words serially to the main unit. Before the transmission
starts, both KCLK and KDAT are high. The keyboard starts the transmission by putting out
the first data bit (on KDAT), followed by a pulse on KCLK (low then high); then it puts out
the second data bit and pulses KCLK until all eight data bits have been sent. After the end
of the last KCLK pulse, the keyboard pulls KDAT high again.
When the computer has received the eighth bit, it must pulse KDAT low for at least 1
(one) microsecond, as a handshake signal to the keyboard. The handshake detection on
the keyboard end will typically use a hardware latch The keyboard must be able to detect
pulses greater than or equal to 1 microsecond. Software MUST pulse the line low for 85
microseconds to ensure compatibility with all keyboard models.
All codes transmitted to the computer are rotated one bit before transmission. The
transmitted order is therefore 6-5-4-3-2-1-0-7. The reason for this is to transmit the
up/down flag last, in order to cause a key-up code to be transmitted in case the keyboard
is forced to restore lost sync (explained in more detail below).
The KDAT line is active low; that is, a high level (+5V) is interpreted as 0, and a low level
(0V) is interpreted as 1.
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _______
KCLK \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/ \_/
_______________________________________________________
KDAT \_____x_____x_____x_____x_____x_____x_____x_____/
(6) (5) (4) (3) (2) (1) (0) (7)
First Last
sent sent
The keyboard processor sets the KDAT line about 20 microseconds before it pulls KCLK
low. KCLK stays low for about 20 microseconds, then goes high again. The processor waits
another 20 microseconds before changing KDAT.
Therefore, the bit rate during transmission is about 60 microseconds per bit, or 17
Kbits/sec.
- 344 Appendix H -
To Next Page
Loading...
