This is a scale functional replica of the keyboard for the Apollo Guidance Computer. It is implemented using modern components. The hardware in this project is designed to be part of a larger replica of the Display and Keyboard (DSKY) module of the AGC.
This keyboard is capable of communicating to a controlling computer (a Raspberry Pi 3 or 4 in my case) via either a USB or I2C communications interface. The board is controlled by a ATSAMD21 processor. The LP11OA1TBSRG key switches include green backlighting LEDs, which are controlled by the ATSAMD processor.
This project is composed of these component subfolders:
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pcb - KiCad project for the controller PCB design
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firmware - circuitpython board definition and python-based test and controller firmware
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hardware - 3D-printable frame components designed using Fusion 360. STEP and Fusion source files available. Hardware models used in thie replica were derived from models found in the AGC Mechanical CAD project.
- USB 2.0 Micro-B port
- I2C connection via header pins
- J-LINK-compatible JTAG debugging interface (10-pin header)
- +5VDC @ 400ma from either the Micro-B USB connector or a separate +5V header pin
This project is inspired by work by Ben Krasnow creating a DSKY Electroluminescent Panel replica. You'll find information about that project in this Applied Science video by Ben. Like Ben's E/L display, this project is driven by an AT SAMD21 microcontroller chip; the same chip is used in the multiple Adafruit microcontroller boards, including the Adafruit Trinket M0.
Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike, all text above must be included in any redistribution. See license.txt for additional details.
This project includes hardware design elements from the Adafruit Trinket M0 PCB project. Adafruit invests time and resources providing this open source design, please support Adafruit and open-source hardware by purchasing products from Adafruit!
The Trinket M0 was designed by Limor Fried/Ladyada for Adafruit Industries.
Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike, all text above must be included in any redistribution. See license.txt for additional details.
My name is Riley Rainey. I'm a software developer by profession. I spent a number of years building aerospace simulations as my day job.
There's no official support available, but you can leave comments or create an issue in this GitHub project.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
