MSX Omega computer : 'Hello world" with the new USB keyboard interface.

The goal of my project is to develop an interface card to connect a keyboard directly to the MSX Omega main board. 

The MSX Omega processor board equiped with the USB keyboard adaptor :

A few days ago, I managed without too much difficulty to simulate a basic operation of the USB adapter allowing me to display characters on the screen.

However, it took me a few hours of additional testing to finalize a reliable mode of operation, including automatic key repeat as well as some modes of operation with the SHIFT key. 

I haven't implemented all the secondary keys yet, but in the current state, I was finally able to program my first "Hello World" :

OK, this tiny step is not going to change the face of the world, but just give me a little satisfaction ;-)

Everything always needs a start!

Keyboard for OMEGA MSX Computer : it works!

It took me much less time than expected to be able to interact with the OMEGA board:

Before testing my USB to keyboard adapter board, I had tested the reception of codes from the USB keyboard. So I knew it was working. But I still didn't know how MSX BIOS scans the matrix keyboard.

After a few attempts and oscilloscope tests, I was able to send 'things' to OMEGA. But obviously not the right codes. After having researched the official codes of the MSX keyboards, I realized that the BIOS installed on OMEGA manages the Japanese keyboard! Why not!...

My first goal being to be able to type a little Basic program and run it, I decided to code the essential characters. First, the alphabet:

I am totally amazed at how easy it was to turn on my USB / OMEGA keyboard interface. I didn't have any issues with the design of the board, everything worked right from the start. Coding the software of the small STM32G0 processor was really very easy with the STmicro IDE.

For now, the coding is more of the quick and dirty type but it works very well!

On the way to my first "Hello World" program ;-)

 

Keyboard for OMEGA MSX Computer : no 'magic' smoke :-)

Until now, I have carried out my developments on this USB keyboard interface by powering the board using a laboratory power supply. As I have pretty much finished the software embedded in the STM32 processor, it's time to see what it looks like on the OMEGA board.

This is what the final assembly looks like:

The interface LED responds well to pressing keys on the USB keyboard. It remains to be seen if this works well with the OMEGA board.

As a USB keyboard does not really take the specific keys of the MSX keyboard, I planned the use of specific keys of the USB keyboard like ALT, CTRL etc ...