I'm working on a project which will interface with a PS2 device, and
convert the signals to Serial RS232 format.

I believe a PIC and Max232 would be suitable for this task. The
project is still in early reseach/planning stages, so I'd like to ask
for advice from anyone who may have experience with PS2 interfacing.

As a PIC newbie I'm not sure of which PIC to use.

The PS2 protocol runs as a clock freq. of 10 - 16kHz, so speed
shouldn't be an issue (I guess incoming data should be stored in a
buffer and transmitted while the PS2 line is idle. A pic running at
4Mhz would execute 62.5 - 100 instructions per PS2 clock.)

PS2 signals are open collector types, meaning when idle the voltage is
held high by a pull-up resistor. Either the device or host (the pic)
can drive the signal low. I'm not sure about implementing this. The
literature I've read seems tells me to set the TRIS pin to input when
the signal should be high; set the pin to output and write a ZERO to
drive the signal low. Does anyone have any practical information on
open collector interfaces?

On the RS232 side, I intent to use a MAX232 to convert the 0/+5V to
the required voltages. I will only be using TxD and RxD for data, wich
will enable me to use RTS / DTR for power (still thinking about the
voltage regulator).

So I'll need 2 input pins and 2 output pins, and maybe a few more
outputs for status indicators. Any suggestions on selecting a suitable
pic?

I welcome any ideas / comments / alternate suggestions.
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