Hiya All,
This is a noobie question, I'm new to the arduino, and maybe its a silly question but I thought I'd best ask before buying any hardware...
Is this product (please see below) an Arduino? or Arduino compatible?
Meaning can I use the arduino ide and libraries to program it?
URL:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MagiDeal-CH340G-Micro-controller-Arduino-ATmega328P/dp/B01KCPIDNS
Product Details
CH340G Replace FT232RL
Operating Voltage（logic level）：5V
8 analog inputs ports:A0 ~ A7
14 Digital input / output ports:TX,RX,D2 ~ D13
6 PWM ports:D3, D5, D6, D9, D10, D11
1 pairs of TTL level serial transceiver ports RX / TX
Using Atmel Atmega328P-AU MCU
There is bootloader installed in it
Support USB download and Power
Support for external 5V ~ 12V DC power supply
Support power supply by 9V battery
Package Included:
USB Nano V3.0 ATmega328 16M 5V Micro-controller CH340G board For Arduino
I want to use it to communicate (get input) from a PS2 Keyboard, and forward the key info onto a host. Is the product strong/fast enough to perform that task? or would it be super slow? And would I be able to plug a usb keyboard into it with a gender changer/adapter?
Oh and finally, I was planning to use this library/files/sample
https://playground.arduino.cc/Main/PS2Keyboard/
And edit it as best possible (as I'm new-ish to C too, having always programmed in Basic...
JD
Edit
Typo fix
The board claims to be compatible with an Arduino Nano. Look for money back guarantee in case it does not work as described.
Are you experienced in soldering the contact strips to the board, for use of the module with a breadboard?
Using what interface? What actions must it control on the host?
Looks like a typical clone. it should work fine. You may have to install drivers for the CH340G, but that is not a big deal.
@DrDietrich, Thanks for pointing out the money back thing, I'd forgotten that.
Yes I should be able to solder the headers to the board...
@anon57585045, The host is parallax propeller, I was going to use optocouplers(?) to isolate the two devices since the nano is 5V and the propeller is 3.3V .... I'm not experienced in electronics but just try to apply common-sense...
I was going to forward like the ASCI (common code) value of the key pressed/released via any spare nano pin (I haven't decided which pin yet, maybe one is better than another?) onto the host...
I had thought about using one pin on the host and one pin on the nano, via the opto-coupler, thats it...
The host doesn't need to do anything except dump the keypress to the console or screen...
@ararg, Sorry, the website said I could combine replies... So I combined them then it said only 2 replies could be combined lol... What a waste of time
@oldcurmudgeon, Thanks I'll do that once I purchase the hardware..
Well, the opto is one way to do that. If they are on the same board, and the serial communications is one-directional from 5V to 3.3V, a simple resistor voltage divider will be enough.
Sorry, edit - I said on one board, that's not that important, I guess. As long as the grounds are common and the wires are not too long...
@anon57585045, Sorry, I forgot to mention yes it is one way from nano to host, I don't think (at this point) that the host needs to send commands to the keyboard, maybe in the future possibly, but there's enough free pins to worry about that later.
Yes they will be sharing the same board with the host and nano each plugged into a set of headers for it... or a dip socket for the host... Thanks
Yeah, you can use a 1k/2k voltage divider.
So that means just drop let's say.... (split the difference of what you said 1k to 2k so 1,5k?) 1.5K resistor in line? and that's it? Thanks
No, because that isn't a divider.
5Voutput>----<1k>---<3.3Vinput>---<2k>----<GND
I had designed the PSU in the image below, so if I use that psu, do I still need to split the 5v and 3.3v lines up with the divider resisitors?
The host was going to be powered from the 3.3v line and the nano from the 5v line and they would share a common ground... Thanks
Which lines? If you mean the Nano output, Parallax input then the answer is yes. The Parallax 3.3V input can be damaged by the application of 5V.
Oh so like a pulldown resistor?
If I understand correctly...
A) Place a 1k resistor between the nano output and host input
B) Then place a separate 2k resistor between the host input and ground (like as if it is a pull down )? maybe that seems more correct... Thanks for all the help too by the way!
Sounds right, best if you draw and post it, I'm too busy coding right now... 
Just to be sure, we are talking about TTL level serial signals, right/
@anon57585045,
Thanks , Ill do that later tonight when i get back... TYVM
TTL Levels? God there's so much to learn...
Here is what i understood from your recommendation to have a voltage divider...
If I can get away with just having those 2 resistors 1K and 2K then it saves me getting an opto-coupler unnecessarily...
Thanks
Yes, that looks right. "TTL levels" is actually just a nickname, real TTL hasn't been used in several decades.
Great, Thank you very much for all the help!
Merry Christmas Too!
