L3 Systems KB232 User manual

Copyright 2003
L3 Systems, Inc.
Redmond
KB232
PS/2 Keyboard
RS-232 Adapter
Part # SA0008
(Version 3.0)

Quick Reference
Command Notes
C
Displays
Configuration
String
Field 1 = Terminal emulation:
Simple.TTY, PC. ANSI, or VT
Field 2 = Baud Rate
9600, 4800,2400, or 1200. 9600 is default
Field 3 = Parity
Even, E8,Odd. O8 or No Par (default)
Field 4 = Keyboard LED Settings
1st: “n” =OFF/enabled
“N” = Num ON/enabled. “D” = Disabled
2nd: “c” = Caps OFF/enabled
“C” = Caps ON/enabled. “D” = Disabled
Field 5 = Repeat Delay
0= 250 Milliseconds,1=500, 2=750, 3=1000
Default = 2(750 milliseconds)
Field 6 = Repeat rate (00 to31)
0= 2/sec 31=30/sec, Default is 20 (15/sec)
CW=<string> Write Configuration String
DSet Configuration string to default:
“Simple,9600,No Par,Leds,2,20”
Lkk=aa,bb… Loads custom key code for “aa” as ASCII
hex values aa,bb…
PPrint Custom Key Codes
EErase Custom Scan Codes
HDisplays Help Message
VDisplays Version
TTest Keyboard Interface

L3 Systems 15/19/2007
Introduction
The KB232 PS/2 Keyboard RS-232 adapter allows a
PS/2 style keyboard to be connected to an RS-232
port of a computer or other equipment using RS-
232 communications. This allows the use of a
standard “PC” type keyboard for embedded
applications that only have RS-232 interfaces.
Power considerations
The KB232 receives power from the RS-232 inputs
“DTR” on pin 4 and “CTS” on pin 7 of the DB9-S RS-
232 connector. Typically there is enough power
from the RS-232 signals to allow the keyboard to
operate. However, the Caps Lock and Num Lock
LED’s may require more power than the RS-232
port can provide. If this is the case there are three
possible solutions:
The first solution is to use the “CW=” command to
change the KB232 configuration to not turn on
LED’s and thus saving power. (See pages 5 and 6 for
more information on setting configuration values.)
Some keyboards can operate if one LED is active,
but not two. The “CW=” command allows you to
disable both the Caps Lock and Num Lock LED’s or

KB232 PS/2 Keyboard RS-232 Adapter
5/19/2007 2L3 Systems
just one of them. Notethat if you disable a Caps
Lock or Num Lock LED, the key still will operate to
modify the characters sent.
The second solution is to use a 9 Volt or 12 Volt DC
power supply to power the keyboard and adapter.
You can attach +9V or +12V power supply by
connecting the plus voltage to pin 7, and ground (or
Return) to pin 5 of the RS-232 connector. (Caution:
make sure that the DC positive voltage (pin 7)is
not connected to pin 7 of the RS-232 port of the
equipment to which you are connecting.)
The third solution is to use a keyboard that uses
less power. L3 Systems sells a keyboard which will
work on many RS-232 connections. This is
available with the KB232 RS-232 Keyboard kit.

KB232 PS/2 Keyboard RS-232 Adapter
L3 Systems 35/19/2007
Connections
KB232 RS-232 Serial Port Connector
The KB232 adapter uses a standard RS-232 9-Pin
female “D” connector that can connect directly to a
“PC” computer’s serial port. The KB232 can power
itself and the attached keyboard using active DTR and
CTS signals on pins 4 and 7 of the connector.
However, those signals may not provide adequate
power, in which case +9VDC or +12VDC power may
have to be providedon one of those pins in place of the
DTR or CTS signals.

KB232 PS/2 Keyboard RS-232 Adapter
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Pin Signal KB232 Function
1 Chassis Gnd
2 RX (Receive) from
KB232 RS-232 Output
3 TX (Transmit) to
KB232 RS-232 Input
4 DTR or 9-12V DC
Power RS-232 Input (Used to power the KB232
Adapter)
5 Signal Ground Ground
7 CTS or 9-12V DC
Power RS-232 Input (Used to power the KB232
Adapter)

KB232 PS/2 Keyboard RS-232 Adapter
L3 Systems 55/19/2007
KB232 Mini-DIN Connector
The following connector shows the pin
definitions for the KB232 Female 6-Pin Min-
DIN connector and the mating keyboard Male
6-Pin Mini-DIN Connector.
12
3 4
56
1
234
5
6

KB232 PS/2 Keyboard RS-232 Adapter
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Testing the RS-232 Communications
The KB232 RS-232 Keyboard Adapter comes setup
with RS-232 communications of 9600 baud, 8 data
bits, 1 stop bit and no parity. This can be changed, but
the first time you talk to the KB232 you must use this
setting.
To verify the KB232 interface, we suggest using a
serial terminal program such a Tera Term, Kermit,
Hyperterm, Procomm, etc. After setting the
appropriate baud rate and bit frame, each time you
type an <ENTER> key should elicit a “:” response:
:<ENTER>
:
Testing Keyboard Operation
If you have verified the RS-232 communications, you
should be able to type on the attached keyboard and
see characters. Type the keys “A” “B: and “C” on
keyboard and you should see the corresponding lower-
case letters echoed:
:abc

KB232 PS/2 Keyboard RS-232 Adapter
L3 Systems 75/19/2007
Commands
The KB232 Adapter comes with a small set of
commands that can be sent through the RS-232 port
to configure operation. Typing “H<Enter>” on the RS-
232 terminal will list the commands that can be
entered:
:h<Enter>
Commands
--------
C-Show Config String
C<string>-Load Config <String>
D-Set Default Config
E-Erase Custom Scan Codes
H-Help Screen
Lkk=aa,bb... Load scan code
P-Print Custom Scan Codes
T-Keyboard Test
V-Version
:

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“C” Configuration Command
The “C” configuration command allows you to display
configuration settings. Just typing “C<Enter>” on the
RS-232 terminal will display the configuration string.
Below is the “C” command showing the configuration
string as shipped with a new KB232 adapter:
:C<Enter>
Simple,9600,No Par,nc,2,20
:
The configuration string is in the following format:
<Emulation><Baud><Parity><LEDs><Repeat Delay><Repeat Rate>
Emulation –Terminal emulation setting:
“Simple“–Simple keyboard, no arrows, function or
special keys such as Home, End, PgUp, PgDn.
(default)
“TTY“–ASCII keyboard, ASCII arrows, but no function
keys or special keys such as Home, End, PgUp,
PgDn.
“PC“–PC Terminal with arrows, function & special keys
“ANSI“–ANSI Terminal, with arrows, function & special
keys
“VT“–VT220/320 Terminal, w/ arrows, function &
special keys. Note: Only first character (underlined)
needed