USB Encoder Board
Perfect for wiring your own custom control panel, whether it's a cockpit simulator or a symbol insertion keyboard.
- Provides a matrix of up to 128 switches
- Any switch closure can trigger any function on the computer
- Emulates HID Keyboard, Mouse, or Game Controller
- Buy 10 for $62.65 each and save 5%
- 128 digital inputs in an 8x16 matrix
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- USB HID keyboard, mouse, and joystick hardware emulation
- Internal memory for hardware, resident macros for OS independent support
The X-keys® π3 Matrix Encoder Board uses the same electronic design as our X-keys Programmable Keyboards and Foot Pedals. X-keys devices work in cooperation with a standard keyboard. Each of the 128 switch points can be programmed with multiple keystrokes, combinations, mouse functions, game controller (joystick) actions and more.
Unit Specifications
| Connector Type | USB "A" plug |
| Input Connector | 0.1" double row, 30 pin female header receptacle (not included) |
| Number of Inputs | 128 possible matrix points (switches) |
| Dimensions | 2" x 1.3" x 0.58", (50.8mm x 33mm x 15mm) |
| Weight | 2.56 oz. (73 grams) |
| Cord Length | 8' (2.44 m) |
| Power Consumption | Low power USB device, less than 15 ma @ 5 vdc |
| Power Source | USB port power, nominal voltage = 5vdc |
| Certifications | FCC Class B, CE |
Software Mode Features
| Operating System | Use: Any OS via USB HID | Programming: Windows XP through 10, Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.10 |
| Free Programming Software | Windows: MacroWorks 3.1 Mac: ControllerMate for X-keys |
| Free Software Development Kits | Windows (C++, C#, VB.NET) Linux (C++) |
| Layers | MW3 supports multiple layers including application specific programming |
Hardware Mode Features
| Hardware System | Use: Any OS via USB HID | Programming: Windows XP through 10, Mac OS X 10.4 through 10.10 |
| Free Programming Software | Any architecture supporting USB, including Sun, SGI, and HP workstations |
| Operating System | Programming requires MacroWorks 3 for Windows XP through 10 Operates on any OS supporting USB including Unix, Sun and Mac OS-X |
| Memory Capacity | Each matrix point is allocated 3 characters and a pool of 560 additional keystrokes is available to any switches requiring additional characters |
| Memory Type | EEPROM, non volatile memory (X-keys retains memory for over 200 years) |
| Layers | 2 layers - user selectable toggle and/or shift function |
Download PDF: USB Encoder Board DD.pdf
MacroWorks 3.1 for Windows (free download)
- Launch programs, insert Unicode, open files and directories, select tools and more
- Can write macros to X-keys memory for Hardware Mode macro programming
- Control backlighting globally or for individual keys
- Create custom scripting with Visual Basic (Software Mode only)
- Compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista (32 or 64 bit) and Windows XP (32 bit only)
- Free technical support via email or phone
- More info...
ControllerMate for Mac OS X (free download)
- Launch programs, insert Unicode, open files and directories, select tools and more
- Control backlighting globally or for individual keys
- Create macros or execute Applescript with drag and drop building blocks
- Compatible with Mac OS X 10.10, 10.9, 10.8, 10.7 and 10.6 (64 bit)
- Free support via OrderedBytes Forum
- More info...
P.I. Engineering SDK (free download)
- Microsoft Visual Studio code examples in C# 2008 Express, C++ 2005, and VB.NET 2008 Express
- Read all key and control states
- Control all backlighting and indicator LEDs
- Free technical support via email or phone
- Linux SDK provides a cross-platform solution for Linux, Windows, and Mac also available
- For X-keys Android devices
- Read all key and control states
- Java based
- Sets backlighting levels and states
- Free technical support via email or phone
- More info...
Resources for Software Developers
P. I. Engineering offers a wide range of options for application developers. Click on any heading to learn more. If you don’t see what you’re looking for here, please contact us (tech@xkeys.com). We have friendly techs and engineers waiting to help you integrate X-keys into your solution.
Includes comprehensive examples in C#, C++, and VB.NET for Windows desktop development in Visual Studio, as well as Java for Android development in Eclipse. Supported via phone and email during standard business hours by our technical support staff.
An Xcode worspace with two project: one for the viewer application, and one for the X-keys framework. Demonstrates reading and writing to X-keys devices.
Open source Linux support written in C++. Features code for accessing all X-keys controls and key states and includes a simple, straight forward example GUI. Written by Linux HID expert Alan Ott.</p
Assorted Eclipse projects we have created to demonstrate how to handle various input options (such as joystick and game controller button data) on Android.
Learn how to read the X-keys’ raw output and use it to integrate X-keys into your application in any language, on any HID-enabled platform.
See how to integrate your X-keys with the Hardware Mode, Software Mode with MacroWorks Software, or the Software Mode with a Custom Application.
See how other developers have implemented X-keys for fun and profit.
