====== 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.//
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===== 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:
bittenguide_pinout_14.jpg
bittenguide_pinout_15.jpg
* 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.//
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===== 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.
bittenguide_pinout_16.jpg
bittenguide_pinout_17.jpg
//**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.
bittenguide_pinout_18.jpg
bittenguide_pinout_21.jpg
//**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.//\\
\\
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===== Method 2: Using the Keyboard's Main Chip =====
[WIP]