RFC: Using PIC24FJ64GA002 as a modern 8042 replacement

[technix]

For a PC/XT clone, the 8042 keyboard controller is a headache, as that is implemented using a microcontroller with a parallel slave port and at least one address line. Most of the 40/44-pin 8-bit PIC has PSP but it lacked that address line, and they are also those bigger variants of the chips.

I then came across PIC24FJ64GA002, a 28-pin PIC24 that has a PSP even in the 28-pin package, and two address lines to go along with that. I wonder if that can make a good 8042 replacement, implementing PS/2 keyboard protocol. Also is there any 5V version of a similar chip?

[jazper]

You know, you may be able to do this with the venerable atmega328 relatively easily (can handle 5v too)

[technix]

You know, you may be able to do this with the venerable atmega328 relatively easily (can handle 5v too)

My main processor is a NEC V40HL with a nice overclock on it. ATmega328 isn’t going to be fast enough.

[jazper]

When you say nice overclock what kind of overclock are we talking? (what speed do you really need?) 

Based on this page: http://devster.monkeeh.com/z80/upi42/ it looks like the 8042 was a 12.5mhz chip. The atmega328 can do 16mhz.

Another chip which comes to mind is the STM32F103. It's 5V tolerant but 3.3v so you may need a logic shifter for the output.

The question becomes how much time do you want to invest in it - if you can do it with arduino libraries etc, it'll be quicker to get going.

[Jacon]

...The atmega328 can do 16mhz....

Only in Arduino - actually chip can 20MHz...

[technix]

When you say nice overclock what kind of overclock are we talking? (what speed do you really need?) 

Based on this page: http://devster.monkeeh.com/z80/upi42/ it looks like the 8042 was a 12.5mhz chip. The atmega328 can do 16mhz.

Another chip which comes to mind is the STM32F103. It's 5V tolerant but 3.3v so you may need a logic shifter for the output.

The question becomes how much time do you want to invest in it - if you can do it with arduino libraries etc, it'll be quicker to get going.

My V40HL is the 16MHz version and I am going to try run it at 20MHz or 24MHz.

[Rasz]

My V40HL is the 16MHz version and I am going to try run it at 20MHz or 24MHz.

doesnt really matter, keyboard controller is sitting on 7MHz ISA bus, what you need to worry is access timings
READ:
CS, A0 to Data Out Delay 130 ns
tRD RDvto Data Out Delay 130 ns
tDF RDuto Data Float Delay 85 ns
WRITE:
tWW WR Pulse Width 160 ns
tDW Data Setup to WRu 130 ns

8042 handles this with dedicated hardware slave port, what you might need is a small cpld to handle the bus and buffer I/O, or one of those fancy microcontrollers with buildin cpld block, or something with really fast realtime IO like XMOS

[technix]

My V40HL is the 16MHz version and I am going to try run it at 20MHz or 24MHz.

doesnt really matter, keyboard controller is sitting on 7MHz ISA bus, what you need to worry is access timings
READ:
CS, A0 to Data Out Delay 130 ns
tRD RDvto Data Out Delay 130 ns
tDF RDuto Data Float Delay 85 ns
WRITE:
tWW WR Pulse Width 160 ns
tDW Data Setup to WRu 130 ns

8042 handles this with dedicated hardware slave port, what you might need is a small cpld to handle the bus and buffer I/O, or one of those fancy microcontrollers with buildin cpld block, or something with really fast realtime IO like XMOS

That is why I am talking about that PIC24, which also has a similar dedicated hardware slave port. Also since I am overclockiny the main processor to 24MHz, the bus is overclocked too.

[Rasz]

That is why I am talking about that PIC24, which also has a similar dedicated hardware slave port.

google... 80 ns, yep, Addressable Parallel Slave Port Mode looks perfect

Also since I am overclockiny the main processor to 24MHz, the bus is overclocked too.

only if you want it to be, you can configure wait states, default is 3