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49 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
49 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
# SOL keyboard
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This keyboard replicates the keyboard on the SOL-20.
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This keyboad matrix works with one of the add-on ASCII encoders from this
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project, which must be separately built or acquired.
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This keyboard has a sibling Sol-20 keyboard with integrated
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encoder [(here)](../keyboard-sol-integrated). The two keyboards are identical except for the following differences:
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1. The integrated version places the connector closer to the main board keyboard
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socket, so the original cable fits more easily.
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1. This non-integrated version requires a piggy-back encoder board. When
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installing in a Sol-20, this piggyback board must be mounted on the right
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side of the keyboard, and connected with a cable, to avoid mechanical
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interference from the Sol main board.
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1. The piggy-back encoder is more flexible for use with other machines, via the
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Apple-1 and Apple-2 sockets, and two different user-configurable headers.
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1. The piggy-back encoder also includes a UART interface.
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The keyboard is designed using KiCad in order to be the most useful for anybody
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wishing to modify the keyboard for more specific uses, or to add to the project.
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The keyset for the SOL-20 keyboard consists of the Unified Keyboard Project
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classic ASCII keyset, with a special SOL-20 add-on keyset.
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## Differences from the original include:
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1. The original keyboard is a capacitive keyboard. This keyboard uses standard
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switches (either Cherry or Futaba).
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1. The original keycaps have an 11 degree angled stem. It may be possible to
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find such keycaps, but I was unable to find any. It also may be possible to
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create 11 degree adapters. But this keyboard uses straight keycaps. I have
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tried both styles, and do not find a difference in typing comfort or speed,
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althought there is an aesthetic difference. There is s tiny bit of space
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between keys using straight keycaps, so an 11 degree adapter may not require
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any change to the layout.
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1. The original uses UPPERCASE+REPEAT to reset the system. For technical
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reasons, this version uses CTRL+MODE_SELECT to RESET the system.
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<img alt="Sol 20 Keyboard" src="images/sol_20_kbd.jpg" width=90%>
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<img alt="Sol 20 Keyboard" src="images/kbd_fit.jpg" width=90%>
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