Sun keyboard/mouse interface
Sun Microsystems' proprietary keyboard/mouse interface was used on SPARCstation workstation and server-class computers for keyboards and mice.
Contents
Devices
- Sun Type 4 keyboard and mouse
- Sun Type 5 and 5c keyboard and mouse
- Sun Compact 1 keyboard and mouse
- Some Sun Type 6 keyboards and mice: those that don't have USB.
Connector and cable
The connector is 8-bit mini-DIN, with different pins used for keyboard and mouse signals. The mouse connects to a port on the keyboard which passes through the signals to a port on the host.
Some keyboards have a left and a right port, for attaching a mouse on either the left or right side, with the other port for plugging a cable to the host. Others have a single mouse port on the keyboard and a captive host-cable.
Keyboard protocol
The keyboard protocol is specified in SPARC International Keyboards Specification 1. It is based on 1200 baud serial with negative logic, asynchronous with no flow control.
The protocol was also used for Sun Type 2 and Sun Type 3 keyboards with other connectors.
Converters to USB
Commercial:
Open source / DIY:
- Hasu's TMK. Uses a ATmega32u2/u4 microcontroller.
- xelalexv's suniversal firmware for the Pro Micro.
- Sun keyboard to USB converter version 2 by Brad Minch and Marijn Kentie. Uses a PIC18F2550 microcontroller.
Converters to PS/2
Open source:
- Ove Risberg's converter, using a MC68HC11E1 microcontroller.
