FIGnition gets a keyboard

In the summer of 2013 RS Components began selling the FIGnition computer board in the form of a bag full of components: no plug-and-play here – you have to solder it together before running programs. The inFUZE version, exclusive to RS, is pre-programmed with a number of sample programs, utilities and games for which the simple keypad is perfectly adequate. As I pointed out in the original product review, a full keyboard is fairly essential for entering large amounts of your own source code. So here it is, FIGKeys the PS/2 keyboard interface shield.

As with the original FIGnition kit, you receive a bag containing a bare printed circuit board, discrete components, connectors and a pre-programmed microcontroller. The task for the microcontroller is pretty simple so a very basic device is used, an Atmel ATTINY24A. In principle all that it has to do is convert the keycode coming in from the keyboard to the sequence of button-press signals needed by the FIGnition processor. A keyboard is not included in the kit but many people may find they have one attached to an old PC stashed in the loft. Keyboards supplied with PCs nowadays are either USB or wireless connected. The PS/2 type has a round plug, usually with a purple coloured sleeve.

The FIGKeys kit is available direct from Nichemachines via their web site. The site contains detailed building and testing instructions too. Assuming that you have put together a FIGnition successfully then FIGKeys assembly should be quick and easy. My board was an early production one with a slight bug on it – the shield headers are about 1mm too far forward so the FIGnition board just fouls the PS/2 socket. The instructions recommend soldering the socket slightly tilted but I took a file to my FIGnition board instead. Fitting the headers to both boards is a bit fiddly but to ensure everything lines up plug the pin strips (FIGnition) into the corresponding socket strips (FIGKeys) first. Assemble both boards with the four connector pairs in a ‘sandwich’ noting that the rows of holes on the FIGKeys board marked ‘FIGNITION CONN’ should be used. Carefully place the assembly FIGnition-down on the bench and solder the FIGKeys pins first before turning over and soldering the FIGnition pins. The rest is easy.

A PS/2 keyboard was plugged in before applying power to the two boards. As with the FIGnition it worked first time and I was able to load and run BLITZ with just a few keystrokes rather than a sequence of button presses. Now you can type in FORTH source code with a lot less pain! Of course the keypad remains available for use with a portable project.

Talking of the FORTH computer language: my version for the Microchip dsPIC33 range of 16-bit digital signal controllers FORTHdsPIC continues to be developed. You can find out more and download the current source code here.

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