Changing a Commodore PET right into a USB docking station

The Commodore 64 is without doubt one of the most iconic computer systems of all time and it’s Commodore’s greatest recognized mannequin. However Commodore made many different well-loved fashions, together with the VIC-20, the Amiga, and the PET. The Commodore PET 64, which Commodore launched late within the mannequin vary’s life for instructional use, was Dave Luna’s first pc. Sadly, it bit the mud someday within the ‘90s and Luna was by no means in a position to revive it. In 2005, he tried to transform it right into a PC, however by no means accomplished the mission. Older and wiser, Luna was lastly in a position to give the PET new life as a docking station.

Docking stations are available many types with many alternative functions, however the normal thought is at all times to increase a laptop computer’s (or pill’s) capabilities. On this case, it turns the related laptop computer right into a desktop expertise with a devoted display screen and a full tactile keyboard. The keyboard wasn’t truly excellent within the Commodore PET 64, however Luna has plans to improve it with a MechBoard64 to maintain the unique look with fashionable high-quality mechanical keyswitches. Because it stands, the PET 64’s keyboard connects to the docked laptop computer and a 12” TFT LCD display screen (instead of the PET 64’s authentic CRT monitor) acts as a second monitor for the laptop computer.

The display screen connects to the laptop computer via a WAVLINK USB 3.0 DisplayLink adapter, however the keyboard connection is extra advanced. As a result of the PET 64 was an all-in-one pc, the keyboard interfaces immediately with the mainboard in a way much like immediately’s laptops. There isn’t a USB interface or standardized output in any respect. For that cause, Luna needed to create his personal adapter. He used an Arduino Micro to scan the keyboard matrix’s rows and columns in search of key presses. When it registers a key press, it sends the corresponding character to the related laptop computer by way of the USB connection. The Micro seems as a normal USB HID keyboard, so it doesn’t require any particular software program.

The result’s a purposeful laptop computer dock in a classic Commodore PET package deal.