First production unit ready !!!

We received the version 1.1 PCBs and some ICs today and assembled the first production unit. Preliminary testing showed that the hardware is performing as designed, and the software is performing as coded :-) I will have to validate the BOM and run some numbers, but it looks like the selling price will be around $45 each.

Le Coup d'Etat: Reset via CTRL + ALT + DEL

If I may say so myself: This is a cool feature... Hook the reset-connector from the interface to your PET/CBM motherboard, and you just added a Reset feature to your setup: pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del together (aka the 3-finger salute) will reset your PET/CBM.
Since installation shouldn't require any special tools or soldering, we equip the reset-wire with a test clip, this will fit nicely around the wire from one of the capacitors or resistors on the motherboard. Obviously you have to find the right wire. The picture was taken from a CBM 8032 with a Dynamic (Universal) Motherboard. The picture shows the rear right corner area of the motherboard. In the top right corner of the picture you can see 2 voltage regulators, those are at the rear right of your motherboard. Connect the clip to the LEFT leg of capacitor C50 or resistor R24, as shown in the picture.
To connect the clip (make sure computer is powered off), hold it like a syringe in one hand and press on the back, a little hook should come out at the small end. Hook that around the wire from C50 or R24, then let go. The clip should stay in place when you let go.

Picture: Power Connector

The white connector with the black and red lead comes from the interface and plugs into the PET/CBM motherboard at the left rear, towards the rear end of the black metal heatsink. The motherboard's connection header has 2 "missing" pins, and the white plug has those 2 positions blanked off, this prevents incorrect mating of the connectors.

Interface mounted in PET / CBM

Here is the interface mounted in a CBM 8032. Yes, all my computers are THIS CLEAN on the inside. Click on the picture to enlarge, then you can make out the 4 mounting posts; they have adhesive backing and simply stick to the "floor pan".

Picture

Specifications

Power Supply: 9 Volts DC from PET/CBM internal expansion power connector
External Keyboard Interface: PS/2
Internal Keyboard Interface: Edge connector for existing harness
Architecture: 8 Bit flash MCU and analog crosspoint
Connectors: Internal Keyboard, External Keyboard, Power, Reset, Programming
Size (approx): 2.8" by 2.1"
Weight (approx): 40 g (1.4 ounces)
Mounting: inside front, left, using 4 nylon standoffs with adhesive backing (included)

Connector Descriptions:

Internal Keyboard: The edge connector that is mounted to the PET/CBM's keyboard must be pulled off the existing keyboard and pushed onto the edge of the interface circuit board.

External Keyboard: The PS/2 Keyboard's round PS/2 (mini-DIN) connector is inserted into the PS/2 socket on the interface.

Power: The interface power connector is pushed on the PET's expansion power header located at the left rear.

Reset: Optionally, the reset wire clip can be connected to the trigger input of the PET's reset timer. No soldering required.

Programming: This connector should remain unconnected. It is used to program or update the interface at the factory.

Prototype Ready

The first two prototypes are ready and tested. The PCBs were made by Batch PCB. They did an excellent job, as usual, and there was only one small bug in my design which I have since fixed. I expect to build the first production run of 25 units starting the latter half of November, and they will be commercially available at that time in my ebay store and the regular web site. The selling price will be a hair under US$50. You will have to provide your own PS/2 keyboard, but that's about it. No soldering or drilling is required for the installation. If you have been intimate with your PET, it should take less than 2 minutes to install.