TL;DR
A limitation was identified with a USB controller that does not support combo devices, preventing the use of a preferred IBM keyboard. A terminal box was built that includes USB power, a DE-9 serial port, USB keyboard, and VGA output.
✦ Why It Matters
Engineers should ensure compatibility of hardware components to avoid integration issues in their designs.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
In the process of building a versatile console that supports serial and VGA connections, a significant issue arose with the USB controller's inability to work with combo devices, specifically an IBM keyboard. The chosen terminal box from Tattler Solutions features a USB power connector, a DE-9 serial port, and ports for USB keyboard and VGA output, all housed in a compact case.
Careful measurements ensured symmetry in the layout, but an unexpected height increase from Velcro caused the keyboard to touch the screen when the unit was closed. This design flaw highlights the importance of considering component dimensions in hardware projects.
The total cost for the terminal box was $86, and it supports data rates up to 115200bps with good VT100 terminal compatibility. These findings emphasize the need for thorough planning and testing in hardware integration projects.
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