IBM RT-PC available

[Tony Duell]

> 
> >>     Maybe if someone comes up with the protocol (or some reference for 
> >> the
> >> original mouse, like...schematics :oD) I can help in doing something like 
> >> a
> >> PS-2 converter :)
> > I don't think schemaitcs would help in this case. I'll bet the original
> > mouse contains a microcontroller, and the firmware of that is what
> > defines the protocol.
> 
>     Tony, I thought this mouse would be something simpler (like the 
> amiga/atari mouse which uses a LM324), but seems very complicated 
> matter...see my last message about it 

As I am sure you know, there are basically 2 types of mouse used on 
classic computers. 

The simple ones are the 'quadrature' mice (aka 'bus mice' on PCs). Those 
output the raw data from the encoders, 2 square waves in quadrature, 
hence the neam. The mouse is electroncially very simple (just 
op-amps/comparators for the signals from the encoders). Used on the ST, 
Amiga, Archimedes, Mac (before ADB),some Amstrad PCs and so on.

The complicated ones contain a microcontroller which processes the 
signals from the controller. It talks to the host via some serial 
protocol (ADB, PC/", the various RS232 command sets (Logitec, Microsoft, 
etc), HP=HIL).

In general all quadrature mice are much the saem. I've never seen one 
which doesn't work at TTL levels. 6 connections are going to be +5V, 
ground and the 4 quadrature signals. In general the buttons just ground a 
vonnecion. So a 3 utton muse has 9 connections. And you can normally 
adapt these mice for another machine just by changing the connector (I 
got my first Archimedes without a mouse, I bought a replacement 3-button 
mouse for the ST or Amiga (I forget which) from Maplin, cut off the DE9 
socket and soldered on the 9 pin mini-DIN.

'Serial' mice are another matter. To convert one of those for another 
machine involvees some firmware. Either replacing the microcontroller in 
the mouse or making an interface which is going to involve a microcontroller.

-tony