Convert an IBM Thinkpad 380ED Keyboard and Trackpoint to USB

Convert an IBM Thinkpad 380ED Keyboard and Trackpoint to USB

Frank Adams

Older Thinkpad keyboards have full size keys that feel much better than the “chicklet” keys on modern laptops. A nice feature of these keyboards is the trackpoint eraser head that takes a lot less space than a touchpad. Newer Thinkpad keyboards have a built in circuit that converts the trackpoint resistive strain gauges to PS/2 but older Thinkpads, like the 380ED, rely on circuitry external to the keyboard to do the conversion. This project will develop that circuitry so that a Teensy 3.2 can detect the voltage change with it’s A to D converter. The keyboard key matrix will also be scanned by the Teensy in order to implement a composite USB keyboard and mouse device. For more details, see https://hackaday.io/project/171439-ibm-thinkpad-380ed-keyboardtrackpoint-to-usb#menu-description

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