My first keyboard PCB design - a diode-free 36 key ergonomic layout

My previous blog posts talked about diode-free keyboard designs using topology, and specifically using a partial Tutte-Coxeter graph for keyboards with 30~42 keys. As hinted at, I spent June making my own no-diode topology-based 36-key ergonomic keyboard PCB design using the Open Source tools Ergogen and KiCad. This is designed as an alternative PCB to fit the existing Gamma Omega keyboard's 3D printed case design (case design or modification can be a future project).

Mechanical keyboard wiring using the Tutte-Coxeter graph

Following my post on Topology meets Keyboard Design, I spent a few days exploring small less symmetric graphs, trying to find something in the region of 30~42 edges, 20~29 vertices, and as good a girth as possible (especially to have better rollover for the modifier & layer keys) for use in an ergonomic keyboard design. Then I realised as a starting point we can just use part of the 30 vertex Tutte-Coxeter graph, and get 6-key rollover automatically.

All 30 vertices in Tutte-Coxeter graph

28 of 30 vertices in Tutte-Coxeter graph

26 of 30 vertices in Tutte-Coxeter graph

Topology meets custom keyboard circuit design

Lately I've been reading about ergonomic keyboards, including DIY, spilt keyboards, and custom layouts. I'm currently learning to touch type my own variant of the inverted Hands Down Promethium layout on a pre-assembled Corne spilt keyboard (and on my laptop). I'd like more pinkie stagger, so perhaps I'll design and build my own keyboard - but I don't like soldering, so am drawn to the diode free designs.

The microcontrollers used in most DIY keyboard designs have at least 17 pins available to connect to keyboard switches. In the simplest designs each pin is connected directly to one key switch, which in a split design is enough for a 34 key layout. But what happens if you want more keys than your available GPIO pins, and you don't want to add diodes? Enter topology and the Heawood Graph, 14 vertices (GPIO pins) and 21 edges (key switches).

Ikea ZAISU - Floor chairs for our kotatsu

A year ago I setup a DIY kotatsu using an Ikea LACK coffee table, but never got a proper futon-mat, nor any Japanese style floor chairs to go with it: 座椅子 (ざいす, or zaisu). I'd been seriously pondering importing zaisu chairs when I stumbled on a blog comment suggesting using the top half of an Ikea swivel chair.

So I went back to the Edinburgh Ikea and attempted to check all their chairs to see which (if any) might be used without legs as a simple zaisu. I came home with a pair of Ikea VÅGSBERG swivel chair shells (and nearly bought the Ikea JULES junior desk chair shell as well - a little small for me), and a new thick rug.

Ikea kotatsu & zaisu: LACK coffee table with Metro heater, VÅGSBERG chairs,
ALMSTED rug,  Euro-King size MYSA STRÅ duvet with LYCKOAX cover

Curious Rover Tracks at Space Expo 2014

This week I enjoyed visiting the Space Expo 2014 "The Great Challenge of NASA/JAXA" which is being held 19 July to 23 September at Makuhari Messe (幕張メッセ) in Chiba, Japan.

1/10 size Saturn V model at Space Expo 2014

Space Expo 2014 exhibit floor, with hanging ISS model

Lunokhod ("Moonwalker") model

Curiosity Rover model at Space Expo 2014