Atari transkey hardware schematic ?

[TXG/MNX]

Hello,

 

I came across this advertisement, I know some of these were really made. Anyone has schematics and hardware info from this. Maybe pictures ?

 

It's an interface to connect a pc keyboard to Atari XL/XE, I do know there are other interfaces like AKI but I am really looking for info from this interface.

 

Transkey for XL-XE.pdf

[+bob1200xl]

Finding things is a problem, but I have information on the interface. What do you want to know?

 

Bob

[+bob1200xl]

Here are scans of a blank version 2 PCB...

 

 

 

 

[TXG/MNX]

Here are scans of a blank version 2 PCB...

 

 

 

 

 

Thanx Bob, do you also have pictures of a working full populated version, gal/pal dumps logic.?

[+bob1200xl]

I only have one early version unit that is complete. This newer PCB has a 6520 in U1, a 6504 in U4, a 555 in U5, An LS32 in U6, and an LS14 in U7.

 

U2 and U3 have a Dallas DS1220Y and a 2732, but I don't know which is where. I don't know where the wiring goes into the Atari.

 

No programmable logic is used.

 

You want to build one, I take it?

 

Bob

[TXG/MNX]

Hi bob thanx for the info almost all info is there, only the info about resistors, capacitors on the board and the ROM dump of the 2732 rom.

[+bob1200xl]

TRANSKEY2_4.ROM

 

 

Well... I have a ROM that is marked TK2.4.

 

The BPC must be ByPassCapacitors - use [email protected]?

 

The pull-up resistors should be 3.3K?

 

The other timing resistors and such are probably 47K?

 

Try 10ufd for the electrolytic capacitor.

 

If you can draw a schematic, we can probably figure it all out.

 

Bob

[+tf_hh]

Just for my personal knowledge... what are the advantages of this TRANSKEY product?

 

If I understand the attached manual right, it´s "just" a solution to connect a PC-keyboard to an Atari 8-bit. There are some modern solutions like AKI or DarkAKI, which realizes the same using a single ATMEL or MicroChip PIC doing all the work. Schematics and firmware are availible, the few parts needed could be soldered on a breadboard. Candle has made a "SimpleStereo" PCB with a AKI-type solution (i.e. DarkAKI, didn´t know exactly at this time) also.

 

If someone has the time/capacity to make a new project, I think it´s better to realize something to connect an USB PC-keyboard to. PS/2 keyboards are getting rare, the most USB keyboard can be used on PS/2 also (with a simple adapter), BUT most of them have a horrible PS/2 timing, tolerated by most PCs, but not all. Also I have had some of them not working using AKI or DarkAKI. So a keyboard-interface using USB should be the more comfortable way...

[itzmike]

I've got a TransKey stashed somewhere around here, like as not still in the 130XE I'd used it with. The device only worked with either an AT or XT keyboard; sadly I don't recall which it was now. Regardless, those types of keyboard would be rather hard to come by these days.

[TXG/MNX]

I've got a TransKey stashed somewhere around here, like as not still in the 130XE I'd used it with. The device only worked with either an AT or XT keyboard; sadly I don't recall which it was now. Regardless, those types of keyboard would be rather hard to come by these days.

 

Interesting when you're not using it anymore PM me

[Stephen J. Carden]

I only have one early version unit that is complete. This newer PCB has a 6520 in U1, a 6504 in U4, a 555 in U5, An LS32 in U6, and an LS14 in U7.

 

U2 and U3 have a Dallas DS1220Y and a 2732, but I don't know which is where. I don't know where the wiring goes into the Atari.

 

No programmable logic is used.

 

You want to build one, I take it?

 

 

 

Bob

The 24 pin chip that is the closest to the edge can be either a 6116 SRam or Dallas DS1220Y. The chip in the center can either be a DS1220Y or 2732. Either way you must have the Rom Code in the center 24 pin Slot. The way I run mine is the Stock TransKey Rom Burnt into a 2732 and then I use the DS1220Y in place of the 6116 so it remembers my Macros as I cycle the computer off and on.

[Stephen J. Carden]

Also I do not see a daughter Board here that is a must have. Now I am Glad I did not solder the last board I have.

transkey info.txt

[+mytek]

Kind of a Necro Bump, but I found what the OP was looking for... the original TransKey schematic, as well as some other drawings of interest.

 

Here are the scanned documents: Original_1990_TransKey_schema.pdf

 

I hope this is still of some benefit to the OP or perhaps others .