GreenPAK™ Keypad Scanner

Using an MCU or SoC to scan a keypad is a less than ideal solution for human input. It often makes sense to offload keypad scanning to a dedicated IC to reduce the power and I/O burden on larger, less efficient, and more expensive devices. Using a GreenPAK™ as a keypad scanner provides a flexible, reliable solution that won’t kill your power budget or your BOM cost. While GreenPAK with I²C can perform this function, using GreenPAK’s Asynchronous State Machine (ASM) unlocks the full potential and enables up to 54 key scanning.

GreenPAK Benefits for Keypad Scanning

Keypad Scanner, a Stately Design

How does it work?

1. Once powered, GreenPAK's ASM cycles through each state, sending out a logic HIGH to each row using the 8-bit ASM output in a 1-hot configuration.

2. When a key is pressed, the circuit is complete and the HIGH signal is picked up by the corresponding column input. GreenPAK then generates an interrupt, stopping the ASM and notifying the MCU or SoC, which can be in sleep mode to save power.

3. From here, the MCU or SoC needs to simply send the I²C read commands to determine the active row and column and decode the key pressed from that information.

4. After completing the I²C read, the MCU or SoC can send a RESET signal to GreenPAK which then releases the ASM to continue scanning.

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Keypad Scanner State Diagram

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48 Key Scanner GreenPAK Implementation

GreenPAK can often implement multiple functions. Just one GreenPAK device can implement keypad scanner in conjunction with other functions like glue logic, timing adjustment, reset, power sequencing, LED control, and more depending on design requirements and resource configuration.

Below are just a few GreenPAK devices that can perform a keypad scan function.

GreenPAK Keypad Scanner Demo Board available for purchase. Please email us at [email protected] to learn more details.