Zx81 keyboard matrix software

Together with usb shield on arduino converts a usb keyboard to work with an 8x5 matrix, as used in a zx81. However, the zx81 basic syntax is mostly compatible to zx80 syntax, so that zx80 software could be easily imported to zx81 with little changes. Keyboards and keyboard accessories for the zx81 and ts. How to use arduino uno to connect usb keyboard to matrix. Sometimes the program is started with goto 0 in order that you should not delete data stored in variables. To the zx81 it looks just like the key matrix same scanning technology as the original, which makes the keyboard completely compatible with any software ever written for that computer. The zx81 has the same microprocessor and runs at the same speed as the zx80, but it has a better basic programming language and is cheaper to produce, due to having fewer chips and a simpler design.

The spectrum keyboard can be read from the following z80 ports. Find and purchase electronics, spare parts, retro vintage computers, arcade, computer and video games such as. Kelchner for use in a typewriter machine with the purpose of reducing the noise generating by actuating the typewriter keys. The objective of the original zxkbd project was to add an external memotech style keyboard plugged directly into the zx81 edge connector. I remember a book called the explorers guide to the zx81 touting adding ram over the udg roms so you could have definable ascii, currah keyboards although we rolled our own from a ancient industrial keyboard that we had to make the matrix to suit ourselves, being poor and lots of other general vandal soldering activities. It would be cheaper if you could connect the keyboard directly to the raspberry pi gpioports, but now i suppose you have a general zx81 usbkeyboard. This matter is solved with a relatively simple straightforward software solution, but it works. The zx81 usb keyboard is mounted upside down in the lid of the case, so is the wrong orientation to just plug the keyboard in. We are pleased to be able to offer new replacement keyboards for the sinclair zx80 home computer. A year ago i posted a request for a solution to use an arduino to interface a usb keyboard to a sincair zx81. This is another quality product from tynemouth software.

Solutions for ps2 keyboard exist, but nobody could help me with usb, so i started my own project. Zx81 membranes keyboard replacements are available from rwap software. The crystal frog by gus this is an excellent text only adventure, written for the quill adventure writer, which has now been ported across from the sinclair zx spectrum version by kerian uk limited. Bits are set to 0 for any key that is pressed and 1 for any key that is not pressed. Easy to fit, this is the adhesive upper layer of the keyboard which sits on top of the contact patches built into the zx80s motherboard. A 40key keyboard arranged in a 5x8 matrix suitable for zx80 and zx81 or other projects from tynemouth software. Authors personal zx81 software library the xtender2 page other zx81 emulators. This is a simple adapter that allows an 8x8 matrix keyboard to be scanned by an rc2014 system. No fancy keyboard controllers here, just a key matrix and some diodes between a set of address lines and some data lines. Arduino keyboard matrix code and hardware tutorial bald. One of the pictures in the picture gallery shows a zx80 motherboard and how the switches are built into the pcb layer rather than the keyboard membrane itself. The keyboard will never lock, multiple simultaneous keypresses are possible,and even keyboard matrix errors are emulated correctly. Remember though that theres a difference between nkro of the keyboard matrix and nkro of the very keyboard. Zx81 uses address lines a8a15 to scan the 8x5 keyboard matrix.

So, going on from that, here is a keyboard read routine that will return a keypress. The original compiler for sinclair basic on the zx81, written by david c. Minesweeper for your zx81 will also run under zx81emulator xtender. Supports pckeyboards with qwerty,azerty and qwertz layout. Tzx files through the computer sound card so that you can load them on to a real zx81. Threlfall, and published by pss personal software services in 1983. My intention is to use an arduino duemilanove and eventually my own homebrewed clone to replace the keyboard matrix of a 48k zx spectrum using the internal keyboard header in order to utilise a cheap and readily available ps2 keyboard. To read the qwert row and test for q, you could do something like this. It can be used to replace the or work in parallel with the original keyboard from classic computers, like zx81spectrum, msx, trs80, trscolor, commodore 64. A 40key keyboard arranged in a 5x8 matrix suitable for zx80 and zx81 or other projects.

The zx81 s primary inputoutput is delivered via four sockets on the left side of the case. The keyboard layout is based around the 8x5 matrix format found on the sinclair zx81 and zx spectrums, which makes sense as thats what its designed to be used with. Select the appropriate connectors based on the keyboard you plan to use. Minesweeper for your zx81 will also run under zx81 emulator xtender.

The connectors are spaced for the zx81 5 x 8 keyboard but the other 3 lines are available and as the zx81 headers are 2. This z80 computer from 1981 uses an 8x5 matrix keyboard membrane. The minstrel keyboard pcb is well made well designed mini keyboard, designed for the minstrel zx80 clone. Minstrel tactile switch keyboard from tynemouth software. Minesweeper recoded by one of the zxteam members bodo to be compilable in mcoder2.

I also wrote the listing script, which uses the character set data directly from the zx81 rom to produce an authentic zx81 look. These problems could be solved by using a 74ls365a instead of a hc type for u10, which is the input port for both keyboard and tape input. Arduino interface usb keyboard to 8x5 matrix vintage computer. Zx81 and zx spectrum usb keyboard pcbs tynemouth software. Zxkey zx81 interface guide book zx81 keyboard adventure. Afterwards i got many comments that for a kit it was too difficult to build due to the use of smt. Or you can order a zx81 usb keyboard controller below. There are 20 available io pins on the leonardo, so a similar approach could be used on most matrix keyboards, up to 100 keys. In the zx81 keyboard matrix the q connects a10 with d0. Whereas just the matrix implementation i showed in this article always supports nkro with correctly written firmware, this is not necessarily the case for the keyboard which uses such a matrix.

Keyboard options are also available allowing you to build your very own zx81 compatible computer to test out your basic programming skills using a. This same code and circuit are what im using for a new project. A keyboard interface for your sinclair zx hackaday. Ramkey operation is similar to the normal zx81 keyboard hardware. This document contains an overview of all the available keymatrices, since they can be slightly to very different for different types of msx computers. Zx80 zx81 hardware and software requested for either sale or swapping. After so many years many of these keyboards have broken. This is a zx81 compatible z80 based 8 bit computer kit with 32k ram. Tek ps2 to matrix keyboard adapteremulator hackaday. Only minor changes have been made to the original source code. A keyboard matrix is a great way to add buttons without using up all of your io pins.

All the zxkeyboard expansions available have at least two disadvantages. The keyboard is mechanically very simple, consisting of 40 pressurepad switches and eight diodes under a plastic overlay, connected in a matrix of eight rows and five columns. The 40 tactile switches are arranged in a 5x8 matrix which matches the layout used in zx80 and zx81 computers, and can be used with a spectrum if the rows are reordered when wiring up. So it is nice to be able to have one around, i still use one to control a living room media pc. The ram has been upgraded to 32k and supports most high resolution graphics mechanisms used on the zx81. In this keyboard matrix tutorial, i showed how a 9button matrix works. So it was not uncommon to find software distributed in brazil, that were nothing more than illegitimate copies of products for the zx81.

This project can translate the keystrokes from a ps2 keyboard into equivalent switch closures of a matrix keyboard with 8 lines by 8 rows the number of lines can be expanded, though. The introduction of the zx spectrum led to a boom in companies producing software and hardware for the machine, the effects of which are still seen. Z81 a zx81 emulator for vga pcs running linux xz81 a zx81 emulator for x z81txt a textmode zx81 emulator for the linux console. Products for the sinclair ql, z88, zx spectrum and zx81 home.

Arduino leonardo based zx81 usb keyboard tynemouth software. A 40 key keyboard arranged in a 5x8 matrix suitable for zx80 and zx81 clones or other projects. It needs a sinclair zx81 or emulator equipped with 32k ram you need to enter the commands. Ram packs and memory expansion for the zx81 and ts.

Download software for zx81 and emulator here i will present some nice software for your zx81 which is written by zxteam members and cannot be found in other sites. Base plate i can supply a clear perspex base plate as shown in the pictures to mount the minstrel and keyboard, or a zx80kdlx. Cpu z80a ram 1k rom 8k logic array zxgates zx81 uses only one chip. If the program doesnt start automatically you usually press r on the onscreen keyboard which writes run and then press new line. Keyboard connector you can fit various 8x5 matrix keyboards to the minstrel. Software as described above, zx80 and zx81 cassette files are completely incompatible to each other.

Keyboard for those not familiar with the zx81 hardware, the keyboard that is used with the zx81 is called a matrix keyboard. An optical keyboard technology utilizes lightemitting devices and photo sensors to optically detect actuated keys. The keyboard is mechanically very simple, consisting of 40 pressurepad switches and 8 diodes under a plastic overlay, connected in a matrix of 8 rows and 5 columns. Keyboard overlays for tszx80zx81 from tynemouth software on tindie.

Minstrel tactile switch keyboard from tynemouth software on tindie. The normal zx81 keyboard is a matrix of keys with the a815 address lines scanning the keyboard rows one at a time and each row of 5 keys is read on. Nowadays you can develop software for the zx81 also in c with the compiler z88dk, but it requires a. The interface and keyboard are fully compatible with sinclair hardware and software.

The spectrum was among the first mainstream audience home computers in the uk, similar in significance to the commodore 64 in the usa. I think the conductors within the matrix had perished as everything else buzzedout correctly. We are helping to promote both the sinclair zx80zx81 and the sinclair ql through development of new websites, including the sinclair zx80zx81 forums and the sinclair ql wiki which help to increase the amount of information available on the internet about these computers, and enthuse people into developing new hardware and software products. The muchloathed pressuresensitive membrane keyboard was a result of the costcutting in the desing of the zx81, later resolve with its us successor the timex sinclair 1500. However, given the tk82s popularity, a great deal of original software was developed in brazil as well. Minesweeper is written by zxteammember bodo in pure basic. The scanning signal is a low in sequence on these lines. Adding nmi fastslow mode makes it zx81 compatible, so it can run most zx81 ts or zx80 software. You can buy one of these now at the tynemouth software etsy store, or get one with an integrated raspberry pi. Hook up the speccys keyboard matrix to the pro micros input lines of which it has many and write a bit of software that monitors these inputs and converts them into usb keyboard controller information, which is then passed back to the computer connected to it. All software designed to the zx81 could run in the tk82c with no problems, and vice versa. The key matrix is a matrix of 11x8 bits in which the currently pressed keys on the keyboard are indicated. The main keyboard circuit is also almost identical to a zx81s, with the addition of a arduino pro micro enabling the zxkey to be used as a regular usb pc keyboard. Here is the schematic plus board layout of the keyboard.

While most projects that take an old key matrix and turn it into a usb keyboard. Screenshots were taken using the eightyone emulator. The keyboard matrix is the same 5x8 matrix as used on the zx81, so i was going to use one of these boards, but that plan hit a snag. Minstrel zx80 clone from tynemouth software on tindie. Products for the sinclair ql, z88, zx spectrum and zx81.