Hexadecimal 4×4 Matrix Keypad

A Hexadecimal KeyPad design journey. Ideal for early Retro Computing and 8-bit Microprocessor based projects.

Digicool Things

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Description

This project was initiated when I dug out of storage, my first “video” computer that I’d built way back around 1979.

It was the DREAM 6800 computer, which was designed by Michael Bauer, and published in Electronics Australia magazine in 1979.

The DREAM 6800 was a Motorola 6800 based computer board, featuring 1KB of ROM, 1KB or RAM, and a 64×32 pixel B/W video display output.

The DREAM 6800 was controlled with a Hexadecimal Keypad, which was a quite common input device with early low cost single board microcomputers in the late 70’s.

When I searched online, I found that Hexadecimal Keypads are now almost impossible to buy. That is, real mechanical hexadecimal keypads!

There are cheap “Membrane Switch” keypads available, but that’s not something I’d enjoy using.

So, this got me on the path of designing my own Hex Keypad, intended for use in some early retro-computing projects.

Details

First, I designed a budget Hexadecimal matrix Keypad, using 12x12mm Tactile push button switches, on a PCB with the keycap legends silk-screened alongside each push button switch.

I then went on to design my Ultimate Hexadecimal Keypad version, based on Cherry MX key switches (of course!).

But, finalising the best way to implement the required MX Keycaps, in a way that would satisfy my vision of the “Ultimate Hex Keypad”, is where this project originally stalled. Until now!

But first, please join me on Part 1 of my Hexadecimal Keypad journey by viewing the video below, where I assemble the first prototype of my initial Tactile Switch based budget Hex Keypad.

Project Logs

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Let's Test our Tactile Switch Hex Keypad
Digicool Things • 09/12/2023 at 22:14 • 0 comments

Following on from Part 1 of the Tactile Switch version of my Hex Keypad project, where I assembled my first Keypad, for Part 2 it’s now time for some testing!

For testing, I use Arduino to implement a USB Keypad.

Although the intended use of the Hex Keypad is for Retro Computing projects, Arduino allows a quick, easy and visible testing method for the 4×4 Matrix Keypad’s operation.

So, please join me on this Part 2 of my Hexadecimal Keypad journey, where I first demonstrate my original 70’s Hex Keypad operation with a simple Arduino sketch, and then use the same sketch to test my new Tactile Switch version Hexadecimal Keypad.