Hagstrom KE24 User Manual

KE24
PC Keyboard Encoder
User Manual

HAGSTROM ELECTRONICS, INC. warrants this
product against defects in material or workmanship for a
period of ONE YEAR from the original purchase date. We will
repair or replace (at our option) the returned defective unit
at no charge during this warranty period.

No responsibility is assumed for any special, incidental,
or consequential damage resulting from the use of or
inability to use this product. In no case is HAGSTROM
ELECTRONICS, INC. to be liable for any amount which
exceeds the purchase price of the unit, regardless of the
claim.

No other warranty, written or verbal, is authorized. This
warranty is applicable only to units sold in the United States.
Units sold outside the United States are covered by a similar
warranty.

Depending on the state in which you live, you may have additional rights.

Great care has been taken during the assembly, testing, and burn-in
of your KE24 to ensure its performance. If you have any questions,
please send us an email or give us a call. Support is available Monday
through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST).

customer service email: [e-mail]

Call Toll Free 888-690-9080, or [phone]

NOTICE: The KE24 product is designed to be used by technically

oriented computer users. When the KE24 is in use, your computer’s
signals and voltages are present on the unit. Prudent handling and
packaging is necessary to prevent damage to your computer.

Your keyboard encoder is designed for OEM use, and is not FCC part 15 approved. Because
the packaging and use of the product will directly affect the characteristics of the unit, it is the
responsibility of the purchaser to obtain final approval of their application, if required.

PS/2 is a Trademark of International Business Machines.

Thank you for purchasing the model KE24 Keyboard Encoder.

HAGSTROM ELECTRONICS, INC.

is pleased that you have selected this product for your application.

The KE24 unit is configurable in a variety of ways in order to

meet your specific requirements. Please take a few minutes to

read this manual before using your KE24.

In addition to this printed manual, other resources are included

with the product CD which provide information and tips on using

the KE24 and making the most of it’s features.

If you have any questions about the use of the KE24 not covered

in this manual, please contact us directly. We offer toll free

technical product support from 8:00am to 5:00pm M-F Eastern

Time 888-690-9080. You may also send an email to

[e-mail]

We respond to all email requests within one business day.

CONTENTS

Introduction to the KE24

Interfacing to the KE24 I/O Header

Connection to Computer and Keyboard

Serial Data to PC Keyboard Input

PC Keyboard to Serial Port

KE24 I/O Data to Serial Port

The KE24Load Program

Programming Macros

Appendix A - Specifications

Appendix B - Connection of an External Supply

Appendix C - Placing KE24 into PROGRAM Mode

Appendix D - KE24 Operating Tips

Accessories

2

3

5

6

8

11

12

13

21

25

26

27

28

29

Appendix D:
KE24 Operating Tips

In the event that you are experiencing difficulty in using your KE24,
please check the following items before calling us:

•When connecting the KE24 to a PC and keyboard, make sure they
are plugged into the proper ports. The connector marked “To PC”
on the KE24 must be connected to the PC keyboard input. Attach
your computer keyboard to the KE24 connector marked “KBD.” The
KE24 will not function properly if these connections are reversed.

•Check your KE24 configuration. Be sure to select the type of
computer that you are using (XT or AT compatible). Check your I/O
configuration for the number of columns and rows, etc. Review your
matrix or discrete input table for the desired responses.

•If you are having trouble getting your PC keyboard to work with the
KE24, make sure that the keyboard itself is configured for the type
of computer you have specified in the configuration (XT or AT
compatible).

•The maximum recommended cable length from your computer to the
KE24 is 10 feet. This distance is also the maximum length that you
should use on connections from the switches or keypads in your
applications to the KE24 I/O header.

•If your KE24 will not communicate with the KE24Load program,
check the COM port selection. Also be sure to power up the KE24
with the programming jumper in place. Refer to page 12 for more
information on programming the KE24 unit.

•If you cannot get the KE24 to respond to your configuration, make
sure that you have removed the programming jumper and powered

the unit back up without the jumper in place.

If you have any questions that are not answered in this manual,
please give us a call. We have customer service available from
8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) Monday through Friday.

Introduction to the KE24

The KE24 Keyboard Encoder is a product designed to interface
keypads, switches, or RS-232 to your computer’s keyboard input.
Additionally, the RS-232 serial communication port may be used
in a variety of other ways to create the type of interface that you
require.

The KE24 is user programmable. This feature allows you to
configure the I/O and select the operating modes for the unit.
Nonvolatile memory stores your configuration information.

The KE24 I/O:

The 52 pin header in the KE24 provides 24 I/O signals that can
be programmed to scan a matrix or discrete inputs. Any of the 24
I/O pins can be programmed as a Row or Column in a matrix
application, or as an individual input. A matrix size from 1x1 to
12x12 can be scanned. I/O pins not assigned as Rows or Columns
in a matrix application may be used as discrete inputs. Input from
the I/O header may be directed to the PC keyboard input, or to
the KE24 RS-232 port.

Modes of KE24 operation:

These modes may be used individually or combined with other
modes of operation.

3

Input Output

RS-232 PC Keyboard Input
Keypads or Switches PC Keyboard Input
Keypads or Switches RS-232 Port
PC Keyboard PC Keyboard Input
PC Keyboard RS-232 Port

Power:

In applications where the KE24 is attached to the computer’s
keyboard input, the KE24 gets its power from the computer. If
used in other modes, an external 5V power supply is required.
See Appendix B for information on connecting an external 5V
supply.

Supported Computers:

The KE24 may be used with PCXT, AT, PS/2, 286, 386, 486,
Pentium, and compatibles.

Hardware Required:

For programming the KE24 configuration only. A serial port
(COM1 through COM6) on your PC, and a DB9 serial cable
(Male to Female).

Default Settings:

4

PC Type:

AT

Serial Port:

Disabled

I/O Header:

Configured as 24 Discrete Inputs.
(Connect the input to ground to ac­tivate it. Codes directed to the PC
keyboard input. Pin “A” emulates
the “A” key, input “B” emulates the
“B” key, etc.)

External Keyboard:

Directed to the PC keyboard input.

Appendix B:
Connection of an External 5 Volt Supply

When using the KE24 in an application that does not require
connection to a PC (such as an RS-232 keypad interface), an
external 5 volt power supply must be used. The KE24 has a
connection point that is dedicated for this purpose.

Two solder points are supplied for attaching external wires or a
connector to the KE24 to supply the 5 volts.

Special care must be taken to assure the proper polarity of the
voltage. The supply must be within 4.75 to 5.25 volts DC.

Note: Reverse connection of the supply voltage will permanently
damage the unit. Use 5 volt source only. Do not attempt this
connection if you are uncertain of your power supply voltage or
polarity.

NEVER attach a KE24 that is powered from an external source
to a PC, as this may damage the KE24, the computer, and/or your
supply.

Ground

Connection

+5 Volt

Connection

Interfacing to the KE24 I/O Header

The 52 pin header on the KE24 consists of 24 I/O points with
ground connections on either end. Each pin of the dual row
header is connected in parallel with its adjacent pin. Therefore,
each I/O signal is available on two different pins.

Each of the 24 I/O pins may be configured by the KE24Load
program. Pins may be independently configured to be either Rows
or Columns in a matrix scanning application, or discrete inputs.
Activation of an input in a matrix mode requires that a row and
column be shorted together to produce a keystroke. Discrete
inputs are activated by shorting the desired input to the ground
signal located on either end of the dual row header.

Figure 1.1 demonstrates how to activate an input that has been
programmed to be a discrete input. Although a switch is shown in
this diagram, other devices may be used in this mode to

5

Figure 1.1

Inputs used in discrete mode
must be shorted to ground to
activate them. Switches, key­pads, or other electronic de­vices that “sink” at least 1 ma
of current may be used.

activate the input. Devices such as open collector drivers or any
device capable of sinking at least 1 ma can be used to drive
discrete inputs. Never connect any signals that exceed the 5 Volt
operational voltage of the KE24.

Figure 1.2 is an example of connecting an input to the KE24

when the I/O pins have been
configured for matrix operation.
One I/O pin defined as column
is shorted to one I/O pin
defined as a row. In this mode,
the switch or input device must
be capable of carrying at least
1 ma. Typically, the device used
for activating inputs in this mode
are keypads or switches, but
other electronic circuits may
be used, provided they do not
exceed the 5 volt range of the
KE24 I/O. Pins defined as Rows
in this mode sink current while
scanning, and the Columns are
used to read the status of the
inputs when a column is active.

There are two DIN type connectors located on your KE24. Although
the connectors are physically alike, they have different functions.

The connector marked “To PC” is for interface of the KE24 to the
computer’s keyboard input. Insert one end of the 5 pin DIN (male
to male) shielded cable into this port. Connect the other end of
the cable into your computer’s keyboard input. Always perform
this connection with the computer’s power off.

The connector marked “KBD” is for using an external keyboard

6

Figure 1.2

In matrix mode,
inputs are acti­vated by short­ing a pin defined
as a row to a pin
defined as a col­umn.

Column

Column

Row

(open)

(closed)

The lower right corner of
the screen displays the
amount of Macro memory
available. Each keystroke
occupies one position in
the Macro memory. When
the Macro memory is full,
you may not create any
more Macros.

Below is an example of a completed matrix and set of inputs.

with the KE24. Plug the end of your keyboard cable into this port

to use it in addition to the
KE24. Use of the external
keyboard is optional, you
do not need to have a
keyboard plugged into
this port for the KE24 to
operate.

Since the KE24 supplies
the computer with all the

appropriate keyboard
signals, you may operate with just the KE24 attached to the
computer, or both the KE24 and an external keyboard.

Use of the external keyboard is usually beneficial when developing
KE24 applications.

Note: If you plug the computer into the incorrect port on the
KE24, you will receive an error message on your computer. If this
happens, turn off the computer and correct the connection.

The serial port on your KE24 may be used for input and output in
several different modes.

• Data received may be sent to the computer’s keyboard input.

• Keypads and switches connected to the KE24 I/O header may
be programmed to produce serial output codes (codes defined
by the user).

• Keystrokes from an external PC keyboard can be directed to the
serial port instead of the computer.

The serial port uses an 8 bit, no parity, 1 stop bit protocol. The
Baud rate is programmable through the KE24Load program.

7

From External Keyboard

To Computer Keyboard

Input

(Optional)

Serial Data to PC Keyboard Input

When serial information is received on the KE24 RS-232 port, it
may be translated in one of two user selectable manners.

One method allows for receiving ASCII characters on the serial
port. Characters are translated into PC keyboard signals and sent
directly to the computer. Although this method provides a simple
interface, it does not allow for full keyboard functions, or multiple
keystroke commands such as Ctr/Alt, etc.

The second method receives codes from 1 to 127, which each
correspond to a key on the PC keyboard. The KE24 translates these
codes into PC keyboard signals. In addition, each code sent has
a “make” and a “break” value for the key. Reception of a “make”
code on the serial port produces a signal into the computer that
is the equivalent of pressing that key on a keyboard and holding
it down (without repeat). In order to simulate the release of that
key, you must send a “break” code for the same key. Several
“make” codes can be transmitted before their corresponding
“break” codes, which allows for emulation of key sequences such
as Shift+F1, Ctrl+L, etc.

8

Connecting the KE24 to a PC

to assign a key using the keyboard representation, as shown
below.

The Macro dialog has two areas, the
MAKE section and the BREAK section.
The MAKE section contains the keystrokes
that you want to KE24 to send when the
input becomes active. The BREAK section
contains the keystrokes to be sent when
that input is released. Although keys in the
MAKE and BREAK sections default to

When programmed to receive ASCII characters on the serial port,
these are the codes allowed and the keystrokes emulated by that
particular code.

ASCII Translation Table

When a code has been sent to the KE24 serial port, the sending
unit must wait for a response from the KE24 before transmission
of the next code. This acknowledge response is a “!” character
transmitted by the KE24. Once this response has been received,
the next code may be sent to the KE24 serial port.

9

Value

Character

Value

Character

Value

Character

Value

Character

Dec Hex Dec Hex Dec Hex Dec Hex

00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
0A

0B
0C
0D

0E

0F

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19
1A

1B
1C
1D

1E

1F

none
none
none
none
none
none
none
none

Backspace

Tab
none
none
none

Return

F11
F12

none

F1
F2
F3
F4
F5
F6
F7
F8
F9

F10

Esc
none
none
none
none

32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63

20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
2A

2B
2C
2D

2E

2F

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39
3A

3B
3C
3D

3E

3F

Space

!
“

#

$
%
&

‘
(
)
*

+

,

_

.

/
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

:

;

<
=
>

?

64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95

40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
4A

4B
4C
4D

4E

4F

50

51

52

53

54

55

56

57

58

59
5A

5B
5C
5D

5E

5F

@

A
B
C
D
E

F
G
H

I

J

K

L
M
N

O

P

Q

R
S
T

U

V

W

X
Y
Z

[

\

]

^

-

96
97
98

99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127

60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
6A

6B
6C
6D

6E

6F

70

71

72

73

74

75

76

77

78

79
7A

7B
7C
7D

7E

7F

`
a
b
c
d
e

f
g
h

i

j
k

l

m

n
o
p
q

r
s

t
u
v

w

x
y
z
{
|
}

~

none