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How does a USB keyboard work?

Ben Eater · tutorial · Watch on YouTube

Electronics & circuit designEmbedded systems & DIY electronicsComputer architecture & CPUs

What it is

Ben Eater explains how a USB keyboard communicates, covering the electrical interface, bit and packet encoding, packet contents, and a comparison with PS/2.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters recommend it as a clear, comprehensive explanation of USB signaling and keyboard polling.

  • 7 people recommended it
  • 6 different months
  • 2 strong recommendations
  • first 2021, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “this video, which is awesome at explaining it and much more”

    Awesome explanation of USB vs PS/2

    jordibc, 2022-03 · Strong recommendation · in “The end of the nice GTK button”

  2. “Fantastic breakdown if you have 30 minutes”

    Fantastic breakdown of USB polling

    ericbarrett, 2024-11 · Strong recommendation · in “Only buy a magnetic keyboard for gaming”

  3. “There’s a great video here that goes through all this”

    Explains USB keyboard polling rates versus PS/2

    wmwmwm, 2021-09 · Recommendation · in “Keyboard Latency (2017)”

  4. “that video is a very pleasant and understandable explanation of the USB protocol”

    Pleasant, understandable explanation of USB protocol

    exporectomy, 2021-09 · Recommendation · in “Keyboard Latency (2017)”

  5. “Suggested as intro to keyboard signalling”

    throw0101a, 2021-11 · Recommendation · in “What is AT&T doing at 1111340002?”

  6. “here's a really comprehensive video on how USB keyboards work”

    Comprehensive video on how USB keyboards work

    jai_, 2022-06 · Recommendation · in “How to Make Rust Leak Memory (Also: How to Make It Stop)”

  7. “Ben Eater has some videos showing the USB protocol on an oscilloscope.”

    Shows USB protocol on an oscilloscope

    lozenge, 2022-09 · Recommendation · in “Ask HN: How do I write a Linux driver for my 15 year old photo printer?”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: usb, keyboards, ps/2, polling, ben eater, hardware

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