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Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Android logos Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Android logos Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Android logos Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Android logos Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Android logos

X-keys® USB Encoder Boards
Encoder board

encoder side encoder front encoder back encoder top

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
  • Other Options Available

Features

  • 128 digital inputs in an 8x16 matrix
  • π3 firmware, which feature 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.
USB Encoder Board
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
Certification
 FCC Class B, CE
Software Mode Features
Operating System
 Windows XP through 10
Included Software
 Windows: MacroWorks 3.1
Mac: ControllerMate for X-keys
Available Software
 Windows (C++, C#, VB.NET)
Linux (C++)
Layers
 MW3 supports multiple layers including application specific programming
Hardware Mode Features
Hardware System
 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

Matrix Encoder Board Spec Sheet

Matrix Encoder Board RoHS Letter of Certification

X-keys USB Encoder Board Dimensioned Drawing

    MacroWorks 3.1 for Windows (free download)

  • Launch programs, insert Unicode, open files and directories, select tools and more
  • Controls backlighting on individual keys
  • Supports custom scripting with Visual Basic
  • Supports all X-keys SE, MWII, and Pi3 USB devices

    ControllerMate for Mac OS X (free download)

  • Launch programs, open files and directories, select tools and more
  • Controls backlighting on individual keys
  • Supports all currently selling X-keys Pi3 devices

    P.I. Engineering SDK (free download)

  • Code examples in (VS)Visual Studio C# 2008 Express, VS C++ 2005 and VS Visual Basic 2008 Express
  • Supports all X-keys SE, MWII, and Pi3 USB devices

    Linux SDK (free download)

  • Supports all X-keys Pi3 devices
  • A cross platform solution for Linux, Windows, and Mac
  • Reads all keys and controls
  • Sets backlighting levels and states

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 ([email protected]).  We have friendly techs and engineers waiting to help you integrate X-keys into your solution.

X-keys Integration

See how to integrate your X-keys with the Hardware Mode, Software Mode with MacroWorks Software, or the Software Mode with a Custom Application.

Windows SDK

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.

Linux SDK

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.

Android Samples

Assorted Eclipse projects we have created to demonstrate how to handle various input options (such as joystick and game controller button data) on Android.

HID Data Reports

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.  

Case Studies

See how other developers have implemented X-keys for fun and profit.