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--- guides:keyboard_pinout [22 Dec 2023 20:29] – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
+++ guides:keyboard_pinout [30 Dec 2023 08:58] (current) – Wrote the introduction. bitteneite
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+====== Finding your Keyboard's Pinout ======
+[{{ :bittenguide_pinout_20.jpg?300|Pin Headers with an unknown pinout}}]
+Understanding the pinout of your keyboard's cable is a neccessary step when wiring up a converter. However, randomly attempting to identify pins through trial-and-error poses the risk of potential damage. This concern is especially prevalent when dealing with the VCC (+5V) pin, as inadvertently shorting it to another pin (i.e. GND) can result in **permanent damage**. Adhering to the following methods below allow for a safe determination of the keyboard's pinout.\\
+//**Note:** A multimeter will be required for the following methods.//
+----
+===== Prerequisite: Multimeter =====
+[{{ :bittenguide_pinout_12.jpg?300|Multimeter}}]
+This segment will guide you through preparing your multimeter, complete with an illustrative example of its operation.
+=== Switch to Resistance mode ===
+For all the following methods, the dial on your multimeter must be set to the "Resistance mode", which typically represented by the Ω symbol. \\
+This mode depicts how easy it is for electricity to travel through a medium, such as a wire.
+{{:bittenguide_pinout_13.jpg?nolink&400|}}
+=== Demonstration ===
+When in Resistance mode, the multimeter can show you when two ends are connected. The photos below demonstrate the following:
+<gallery>
+bittenguide_pinout_14.jpg
+bittenguide_pinout_15.jpg
+</gallery>
+  * In the first photo above, the multimeter demonstrates that both ends of the yellow wire are **connected**, as signified by the 0.7Ω reading.\\
+  * However, once the yellow wire is broken up, the multimeter reads ".OL", signifying that **no connection** can be found between the two ends.
+  * Using this information, we can trace the path of any pin in a keyboard.
+//**Note:** For a healthy connection, the multimeter must read a small and stable number. Larger numbers represent more resistance.//
+----
+===== Method 1: Using the Original Cable =====
+{{:bittenguide_pinout_11.jpg?nolink&600|}}
+//**Note:** An NTC KB-6153 will be used for demonstration purposes.//
+\\
+==== 1) Lookup the connector's pinout ====
+Cable connectors follow a **standardized** pinout in most cases, and are already [[http://www.kbdbabel.org/conn/index.html|documented online.]]
+{{:bittenguide_pinout_22.jpg?nolink&400|}}
+//**Example:** In this demonstration, the NTC KB-6153 uses an XT/AT connector.//\\
+//**Caution:** In this demonstration, the diagram had to be flipped horizontally to match the male version.//
+\\
+==== 2) Search for connections ====
+=== 2.1) Probe the PCB's Pin ===
+Connect one probe to a pin on the PCB. Any pin can be chosen here, but for this demonstration, the 4th pin is chosen.
+<gallery>
+bittenguide_pinout_16.jpg
+bittenguide_pinout_17.jpg
+</gallery>
+//**Note:** As shown above, a pin can probed from multiple areas.//
+=== 2.2) Find the connected pin ===
+Using the other probe of your multimeter, find the pin on the connector that's connected to the PCB pin.
+<gallery>
+bittenguide_pinout_18.jpg
+bittenguide_pinout_21.jpg
+</gallery>
+//**Note:** Cycle through all the pins until you find a pin where the multimeter reads a small and stable number.//
+=== 2.3) Note it down! ===
+When a stable connection is detected, refer back to connector's diagram to confirm the pin's name.
+{{:bittenguide_pinout_19.jpg?nolink&400|}}
+//**Example:** In this demonstration, the 4th pin is connected to GND on the diagram.//\\
+\\
+----
+===== Method 2: Using the Keyboard's Main Chip =====
+[WIP]