NETRONICS Professional Engineering, Inc.
NETRONICS P.E., Inc.

Peter F. Klammer, P.E., President
3200 Routt Street
Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033

303-915-2673 (Cellular with voicemail)

Fax: 303-274-6182 (Wireline with voicemail, FAX after hours)

News

NETRONICS P.E., Inc. and Operator Interface Technologies (OIT), Inc. are thrilled to announce a huge stride forward with totally fault-free bring-up of the first-article specimen of the QVP (Qwerty Vandal-Proof) super-rugged smart keyboard. Not one trace, wire, component, or byte of code required any alteration between installing parts on the new board and demonstrating full functionality. "Is that cool or what?"

The QVP circuit is unique in that a single chip -- the Microchip PIC18F4550 Full-Speed USB Microcontroller -- smaller than a dime, performs all control operations for a full PC keyboard with optional quadrature-interfaced trackball or embedded keyboard Navigator disc, with both USB and PS/2 interfaced built-in. The product automatically detects which interface is attached and adopts the appropriate personality and protocol, without reprogramming, without reconfiguration -- just plug and play. The only silicon in the product besides the PIC is a signal-conditioning op-amp (also Microchip, of course!) for the optional trackball, if present. Really low parts-count gives OIT a huge advantage in offering ready-to-run smart-interfaced keyboard upgrades to replace "dumb matrix" keyboard components and subassemblies.

The QVP design also provides OIT incredible manufacturing flexibility with in-circuit serial programming (ICSP) and USB-downloadable reprogrammability with secure lockout. These features mean circuit-board assembly and test can be accomplish out-of-house without disclosure of IP; and even finished goods in inventory can still be customized or upgraded before shipment without disassembly. Furthermore, an embedded "virtual screen" menu allows integrators or customers to tailor option parameters (US/International, enable/disable certain keys) without tools, jumpers, or even opening the case. In-the-field menu-based customization means the same models will cover multiple applications without costly factory support.

The entire circuit, including trackball quadrature optical hysteresis, was designed by NETRONICS P.E., Inc., demonstrated on a soldered prototype, and provided to OIT in schematic form, while OIT produced the layout and procured board fabrication through their standard suppliers, so both firms proudly share credit for a successful product implementation in a single iteration.

Mission

Consulting for Programmable Electronics

Profile

Registered P.E., Electrical Engineer, Microchip Consultant, NACSE Certification in Networking.

Information

Expert programming, design, development, hardware integration for Microchip PIC & dsPIC, TI MSP430 & DSP, Atmel AVR, PC Visual Basic & C.

Products/Services

On-demand and contract consulting, per hour or by job. Lab with instrumentation and software tools to complete work on my premises or yours.

NETRONICS Professional Engineering, Inc. NETRONICS P.E., Inc.