MiniBSD laptop computer

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Description

Few years ago I found little starting project of implementing UNIX on PIC32, made by Serge Vakulenko - http://retrobsd.org/
I'm not that much into UNIX stuff, but I got caught up and tested new revisions of RetroBSD on my protoboarded hardware. This worked, but I wanted something better, so I designed my own board, with PIC32MX795F512H. SD card, SDRAM, RTC and stuff.

Then, I built tiny serial VT-100 compatible display with 16-bit PIC and 240x128LCD plus serial keyboard. Notice the keys - actually taken from old 8-bit Czechoslovak 80's computer PMD-85 (no worries, it was completely FUBAR, but it served as organ donor for another PMD-85). With these components I built complete UNIX computer, powered by single Li-Ion cell, drawing approx. 150mA of current.
Now I'm going to make "something-like-laptop" from those components.

Stay tuned for updates.

Files

chinese_keyboard_test.zip

Test of cheap chinese keboard as per https://hackaday.io/project/643-minibsd-laptop-computer/log/32588

empty - 47.06 MB - 02/24/2016 at 09:26

Download

Project Logs

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Yet another keyboard
jaromir.sukuba • 02/24/2016 at 09:23 • 2 comments

Though the old Tesla keybaord I described here and here and described by @Benchoff in #Metal Dome Keyboard is still in my drawer in amount higher than small, I'm looking for alternatives for my MiniBSD.
I found one in here, for the case the listing is unavailable, here is screenshot
I dissected the thing on arrival and didn't bother whether it works or not
There is nothing but 20x8 cm keyboard matrix with 28-pin 1mm pitch FPC connector and tiny PCB containing USB controller
With the testing pads it looks like perfect breakout board for testing, after cutting the epoxy blob. The keyboard itself looks quite usable and has nice feel
there are rubber domes under each key and mechanical support
There are 25 pins used on the 28-pin flex cable, checking all the combinations manually with multimeter would be quite annoying, so I decided to build a test rig.
Not the cleanest example of engineering work, but for quick testing it is adequate. There is PIC16F1519 on board, testing all combinations of wires for conductivity few times per second and pushing results via serial port. Not exactly interesting thing, but quick and ugly test sources will be available for download in the "files" section.
After a few minutes of poking the keys and noting the results, I got this nice table
where line 11 is unused, being apparent on pictures above - or translated into keyboard layout
For example, pressing key Q connects lines 20 and 7.
The layout in .xlsx format is available in single package with pictures and sources of test rig.

4.4 BSD-Lite

jaromir.sukuba • 12/29/2015 at 00:23 • 2 comments

Well, it's a long time since last update. Today, I sat down to my new board around PIC32MZ2048ECG064

and configured/complied/loaded LiteBSD system to run on it from internal RC oscillator

Copyright (c) 1982, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993
	The Regents of the University of California.  All rights reserved.

4.4BSD-Lite build 0 compiled 2015-12-28
    jarin@plechac:LiteBSD/sys/compile/SDZL.pic32
cpu: PIC32MZ2048ECG064 rev A5, 200 MHz
oscillator: system PLL div 1:2 mult x50
cache: 16/4 kbytes
real mem = 512 kbytes
avail mem = 352 kbytes
using 18 buffers containing 73728 bytes of memory
spi1 at pins sdi=RF1/sdo=RF0/sck=RD1
spi2 at pins sdi=RG7/sdo=RG8/sck=RG6
spi3 at pins sdi=RB9/sdo=RB3/sck=RB14
spi4 at pins sdi=RD11/sdo=RD0/sck=RD10
uart1 at pins rx=RD2/tx=RD3, interrupts 112/113/114
uart2 at pins rx=RB7/tx=RB6, interrupts 145/146/147, console
sd0 at port spi2, pin cs=RG9
sd0: type I, size 498176 kbytes, speed 12 Mbit/sec
sd0a: partition type b7, sector 2, size 204800 kbytes
sd0b: partition type b8, sector 409602, size 32768 kbytes
sd0c: partition type b7, sector 475138, size 102400 kbytes
bpf: lo0 attached
WARNING: preposterous clock chip time -- CHECK AND RESET THE DATE!

starting file system checks.
/dev/rsd0a: 2128 files, 13973 blocks used, 36242 free
/dev/rsd0a: MARKING FILE SYSTEM CLEAN
starting network
clearing /tmp
standard daemons: update.
Mon Dec 28 15:44:43 PST 2015


4.4BSD-Lite (bsd.net) (console)



login: root
Last login: Mon Dec 28 15:44:00 on console
Copyright (c) 1980, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994
        The Regents of the University of California.   All rights reserved.

4.4BSD-Lite UNIX #1: Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 PDT 1994

Welcome to 4.4BSD-Lite!

erase ^H, kill ^U, intr ^C status ^T
Don't login as root, use the su command.
#

This is more powerful system than previous one with PIC32MX - only 128kB RAM / 80MHz compared to 512kB RAM and 200MHz of PIC32MZ, not mentioning new OS, so I'm definitely going to employ this MCU on MiniBSD computer.

New keyboards layout
jaromir.sukuba • 10/03/2014 at 18:44 • 0 comments

Well... four months since last update... the time flies. Brian Benchoff asked about the new keyboard layout, so here is my quick and dirty "drawing" in LibreOffice Calc.
When Q key is pressed, there is contact on between pins 1 and 6. After pressing J, between 9 and 14. You got the idea.
It is not very likely to obtain the keyboard outside Czech or Slovakia, though Brian got this keyboard in Apex electronics, LA. However, I managed to get my hands on a few pieces of those keyboards, so I'll be able to source it to interested builders, if any.
Laptop case, sneak preview
jaromir.sukuba • 06/07/2014 at 22:39 • 0 comments

Well, there was no progress for a few weeks, but recently I got into it again. I had nice few evenings with FreeCad (I'm total beginner in 3D modelling) and designed first revision of a case. It looks like this
Kind of classical, laptop-like case. Total size is 22x9x2,7cm when closed.
Unfortunately, it is two centimeters bigger in size than printable area of my 3D printer and I can't make it much smaller due to keyboard size. Time to get bigger 3D printer! :-)
I'll publish design files on Monday morning.
New keyboards
jaromir.sukuba • 04/27/2014 at 21:42 • 0 comments

Though I'm quite busy with my sc-fi contest project, I'm doing this small log.
I got my hands on a few of those sweet vintage keyboards. This is product of former Czecho-Slovakian company named Tesla, I believe it is as old as I am, approximately. I have a few dozens of them, with option to have more. I'm going to base my new BSD laptop on this keyboard.
There are two color variations. I have lots of the red variant, only two pieces of orange variant.

View all 5 project logs

Discussions

soni wrote 06/23/2024 at 17:21

We waiting on nev version. With solar power, suepr condensator/capacitor and bigest keyboard.

Are you sure? yes | no

marazm wrote 02/03/2021 at 17:04

Can You upgrade Your computer to Raspberry pi Pico? An dput more program to FLASH?

for example ruby, haskell, git etc?

Are you sure? yes | no

Starhawk wrote 07/21/2020 at 00:46

Hello from the USA! Would you somehow still have the Tesla keyboards from the first log, back in 2014? As strange as it seems, I would like to have one -- orange-version if you can, red-version otherwise.

Thanks :)

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 07/21/2020 at 23:44

@Starhawk I have a few of those still around. PM me for details.

Are you sure? yes | no

Starhawk wrote 07/22/2020 at 00:17

PM'd ;)

Are you sure? yes | no

Starhawk wrote 07/23/2020 at 01:48

Still awaiting reply. No worries :) I'm sure you're busy. Take your time!

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 07/23/2020 at 09:03

@Starhawk thanks for reminder, PM notification e-mail got lost somewhere

Are you sure? yes | no

pewnosc wrote 06/03/2020 at 07:38

Do You plan creating a kickstarter campaining?

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fabian wrote 07/22/2018 at 16:53

is possible to run Linux on this device?

Are you sure? yes | no

yeti wrote 07/24/2018 at 06:05

The PIC32MX795F512H has not enough RAM (128kBytes) for Linux.

Are you sure? yes | no

fabian wrote 07/24/2018 at 07:20

Is a problem to expanded ram? or it is impossible?

what You think about unix machine similar Z88 Sinclair (top screen long)

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Bartosz wrote 01/29/2017 at 09:16

better keyboard ;-)

https://klawiatura.wordpress.com/

Are you sure? yes | no

Martian wrote 01/25/2017 at 07:01

Fascinating project, good luck with it, I can't wait to see how it evolves.

Are you sure? yes | no

legacy wrote 07/04/2016 at 23:52

which LCD have you used?

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 07/05/2016 at 06:22

This one http://www.tme.eu/en/details/rx240128a-ghw/lcd-graphic-displays/raystar-optronics/

Now I found out there are no sources for keyboard and display driver. I'll upload it in next few days.

Are you sure? yes | no

legacy wrote 07/05/2016 at 14:22

yes please, add schematic, and driver for the LCD

Are you sure? yes | no

Roman wrote 02/24/2016 at 14:37

Really cool project.

Are you sure? yes | no

dave wrote 06/27/2015 at 17:34

I'd need a keyboard like this. It would come in very handy.

Are you sure? yes | no

Benchoff wrote 10/03/2014 at 14:53

Have you figured out the matrix for your new, smaller keyboards? I found an orange one at Apex electronics in LA (pic here: http://i.imgur.com/idZGd2Q.jpg)

Have you figured out the key matrix yet? I doubt I'll be able to take this apart without destroying it, and figuring this out with a multimeter is annoying.

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 10/03/2014 at 15:28

Now I almost fell off my chair - this old Czechoslovak keyboard in LA? I really wish to visit Apex electronics.

You are right, one can't take it apart without destroing.
I have the key matrix somewhere (from original manufacturer documentation in Czech language, I had to correct minor error in it), I'm going to upload it soon.

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 10/03/2014 at 18:45

Here you go https://hackaday.io/project/643/log/10240

By the way, I noticed your keyboard is missing two keys around the shift key. I wasn't aware of this manufacturing variant, interesting. Could you, please, take a photo from bottom side of keyboard?

Are you sure? yes | no

Benchoff wrote 10/13/2014 at 18:52

I put a teardown of the keyboard up as a project. Don't worry, the matrix was dead, and I might have a new supply: http://hackaday.io/project/3162-Metal-Dome-Keyboard-Teardown

I did notice two manufacturing marks. Apparently this was made by AMP, Inc, which would explain it being found in California. Do you have any pics of yours? I'd be interested to see where yours were actually made.

Are you sure? yes | no

TTN wrote 06/12/2014 at 11:16

The most super secure bsd unix computer in existence for the paranoid? No backdoored chips in this thing ; )

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 06/12/2014 at 11:24

...unless I'm evil secret agent, trying to infect community with backdoored computers... ;-)

Are you sure? yes | no

ksemedical wrote 01/28/2017 at 10:24

lol (you ,may be, but I'm going to proceed anyway ;) ). Great project on several fronts, and I have to applaud you one doing this all in the most bare-bones way I can think of. Impressed and will be following your work, hope to contribute some in the process. This may become the 'mad-max' computer we need in what may become a mad-max world ... (I hope I am wrong, but we'll see)

Are you sure? yes | no

DL101 wrote 04/27/2014 at 21:11

How did you port miniBSD to a pic?

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 04/27/2014 at 21:26

I did not, it's quite tough job for me, however a few clever guys here http://retrobsd.org/wiki/doku.php did it. I contribute to this projects as hardware guy, mostly. I'm active on retrobsd forum too.

Are you sure? yes | no

DL101 wrote 04/27/2014 at 21:29

Also, how did you implement the drivers for keyboard/display?

Are you sure? yes | no

DL101 wrote 04/27/2014 at 21:39

And where did you find the files for compiling the thing on a pic, I can't find any download link on that page.

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 04/28/2014 at 12:00

Sources and schematics for LCD driver and keyboard will be available on github soon.
For compiling the BSD for PIC32, see this http://retrobsd.org/wiki/doku.php/doc/index Compiling the system is not trivial task, however I'll provide binary files as soon as my hardware will be stable.

Are you sure? yes | no

Benchoff wrote 03/28/2014 at 16:57

Those keys are marvelous. You just had those in a part drawer, right? No chance of finding a supplier?

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 03/28/2014 at 19:39

Yep. No chance to find long-term supplier, though I'm rather sure I could find those keys locally (the same keys were used in telephones, manufactured here in CzechoSlovakia before 1989), but that would mean a lot of investigation and probably buying a whole lot (hundreds or thousands of them).
The same goes for this http://imgur.com/hifyneH nice keyboard - just simple key matrix with no electronics. It was designed for 8-bit home computers in eighties. I have half of dozen of those, but nothing more.

Those keyboards (with no electronics) are really hassle for small "home computers".
If anybody does know sustainable source of small QWERTY keyboards, let me know. Ripping off existing keyboard doesn't count, because physical properties can change in next batch from China and availability few years from now is questionable.
One can have membrane keyboard manufactured in China, but it is not particulary cheap for hobby purpose - one piece would cost few bucks, however first one would cost few hundreds to one thousand dollars. This price would dissolve when ordering huge quantity. I thought of some crowd-sourced project, but I don't have balls for this.

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sidwarkd wrote 03/28/2014 at 16:14

Awesome work!

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RodolpheH wrote 03/28/2014 at 15:28

Do you plan to support ethernet ? You could try do display retro.hackaday.com. That would be a huge achievement !

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 03/28/2014 at 15:31

Well, there is some kind of networking support (using external MAC/PHY on SPI bus) in RetroBSD. I'm going to investigate more about it.

Are you sure? yes | no

sidwarkd wrote 03/28/2014 at 14:53

What kind of performance are you getting? Is it reasonable or really bogged down?

Are you sure? yes | no

jaromir.sukuba wrote 03/28/2014 at 15:30

It is UNIX 2.11, approximately as old as I am. It was intended to run on machines one order of magnitude slower than MIPS M4K on 80MHz (PIC32), so the speed is reasonable. See it on video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tv216YS6xa0 it boots in a few seconds.
Despite its age, it is quite usable OS.

Now, PIC32MZ was released, with 512kB of RAM, so RetroBSD could be more useful.

Are you sure? yes | no

MiniBSD laptop computer

Description

Files

chinese_keyboard_test.zip

Project Logs

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Yet another keyboard

4.4 BSD-Lite

New keyboards layout

Laptop case, sneak preview

New keyboards

Discussions

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