[IC] u65-HE: Hall-Effect Bakeneko65 PCB with QMK/VIA firmware

[Keebzncables]

Interest Check Link

Table of Contents

• PCB Specifications
• Features
• Kitting & Pricing
• Vendors
• Project Log and Updates

PCB Specifications

The u65-HE is a 65% Hall Effect PCB, integrated with QMK/VIA firmware and designed to fit the Bakeneko 65. This project is a collaboration from Serene Industries and Trailblazer Keyboards.

TLDR:

• Compatibility will be similar to Bakeneko65 PCB • PCB is 1.6mm thick and has no flex cuts • Uses a standard JST connector, 4-pin cable, and AI03 C3 DB • Features a Fixed Layout, as closely spaced magnetic signals can cause problems • Soldered standoffs hold PCB to plate, similar to Venom HE

Prototype Images. Final adjustments to be added.

Renders. Final Prototypes may not appear exactly as presented.

Additional Renders and Photos

Compatibility

u65-HE has been tested in the following cases:

• Saag65 • Bakeneko65 (CannonKeys)

We can post a datasheet for others to submit compatibility with the edge cut data if desired. Please let us know in the Interest Check which boards you’d like to see compatibility for!

u65-HE PCB Layout

The U65-HE layout, featuring standard capslock, full backspace, and a 7u spacebar, is shown below. Magnetic sensors struggle to correlate signals to the proper switch when magnets are in close proximity. As such, multi-layout options may become available in the future, but this first launch will only include a fixed, robust Hall Effect setup.



Soldered standoffs are located between the ` and 1 key, Backspace and Ins, Ctrl and Win, Down and Right Arrow, and around the spacebar.

Features

The u65-HE PCB comes with 3 actuation mode options.

Normal (APC)

• In this mode, the user defines both actuation threshold and release threshold.
• The switch must reset before another actuation, like a traditional MX Switch.
• Lower thresholds means a shorter travel distance before actuation or release.
• Safeguards are in place to prevent the switch from reaching an always-on or always-off setting.

Rapid Trigger

• In this mode, the user can input and stop keys dynamically, without resetting the switch between inputs.
• Engage Distance: This parameter defines the distance required to activate the key input. Lower values (to the left) means a shorter engage distance.
• Disengage Distance: This parameter defines the distance required to stop the input. Lower values (to the left) means a shorter disengage distance.
• Once disengaged, the key can be engaged again without a full reset.
• Deadzone: This parameter defines the maximum height a switch can rebound before needing a full reset. Once the deadzone is triggered, the switch must be fully reset before another input is possible.
• A lower (toward the left) deadzone value moves the deadzone closer to top of the keystroke, allowing more room for re-engaging the switch. Deadzone value can be 0 and is 0 by default.

Key Cancellation

• In this mode, users can input a secondary key without releasing their primary key input.
• u65-HE supports AD and ZX key cancellation modes only.
• AD Mode allows A or D to be input while the other is held.
• ZX Mode allows Z and X to be input while the other is held.

Calibration

• Factory firmware is calibrated to a generic batch of Geon RAW HE switches.
• User re-calibration is encouraged for the best experience, as switches all have magnets with a small variance.
• Calibration can be done by first clicking the Calibration Start button. LEDs will all turn red to show that prior calibration data is deleted.
• Afterwards, press and hold every key individually, one at a time, for about 1s. LEDs will turn green once calibration is complete.
• Pressing the key again will not negatively affect the calibration, if you are unsure which keys are pressed.
• Once all calibration is complete, click the End + Save button and enjoy your new switches!

Video demonstrations and build streams for all features will be available soon!

Kitting & Pricing

u65-HE Kit includes the following:

• FR4 Plate • u65-HE PCB • Any necessary screws for assembly • (Optional Extras) 70x Geon RAW HE Switches

PCBs will be calibrated for Geon RAW HE with factory firmware. However, we encourage users to re-calibrate for best results.

We are aiming at a starting price of $95 for the kit without switches.

Vendor List

We wish to keep vendors region locked at the moment to streamline the communication and fulfillment process.

• North America: Trailblazer Keyboards • Australia: Keebz N Cables • ...your region's favorite vendor here! (TBD)

We’ll be looking to build out the vendor list in the upcoming weeks. If there’s a specific vendor with a good reputation in the region, please post suggestions in the Interest Check.

Project Log and Updates

☑ Post u65-HE PCB Interest Check - 12/7/2024 ☐ Review IC Feedback and Data ☐ Make any necessary changes, and potentially renew prototypes ☐ Setup demonstration builds for u65-HE PCB ☐ Reach out to Vendors and finalize Vendor List ☐ Finalize Group Buy details ☐ Announce GB Dates

Looking for updates?

• Discord: Feel free to join the Project W Discord or Keebz N Cables Discord servers • Instagram: @trailblazerkeyboards or @keebzncables • Email: Drop us some feedback on the Interest Check and we’ll keep you updated via email • Any questions regarding Serene Industries can be sent to denis@serene.industries! Instagram: @serene.industries

Thanks for checking our project out! Looking forward to getting feedback from the community.

Interest Check Link

[The0rigina1]

What's the polling rate and scan rate

[Cipulot]

Hope y’all are going to actually comply with QMK and VIA licensing terms and publish all the sources are you are required to.
Otherwise it will be yet another project that slaps QMK/VIA labels on it to exploit the OS nature of the projects.

Also you are welcome for the VIA custom UI json examples I merged in VIA for the sliders and controls *giggle*

Cool to see this that the bakeneko65 is getting some love, got sorta bullied after the bazillion of variants done XD

[serene.industries]

What's the polling rate and scan rate

usb polling is 1k, matrix scanning is at least 1k, depending on the actuation mode!

[serene.industries]

Hope y’all are going to actually comply with QMK and VIA licensing terms and publish all the sources are you are required to.
Otherwise it will be yet another project that slaps QMK/VIA labels on it to exploit the OS nature of the projects.

Also you are welcome for the VIA custom UI json examples I merged in VIA for the sliders and controls *giggle*

Cool to see this that the bakeneko65 is getting some love, got sorta bullied after the bazillion of variants done XD

Hey!
We're working on a commit for QMK and VIA
Thanks for the pointer to the custom UI!

[The0rigina1]

What's the polling rate and scan rate

usb polling is 1k, matrix scanning is at least 1k, depending on the actuation mode!

Why not make it 8k polling with at least 4k scan rate? Being at 1k/1k makes this PCB significantly less competitive in the market. The price tag doesn't help either. A 1k/1k HE keyboard can be had on taobao for 14 USD.

[LMarci]

What's the polling rate and scan rate

usb polling is 1k, matrix scanning is at least 1k, depending on the actuation mode!

Yeah this is pretty sus