8 Keys interfacing with single pin of 8085

[Hitesh.Chawla]

I have to interface 8 different keys to a microprocessor, but only one pin is available on the microprocessor. Is there any way that makes the microprocessor possible to detect which key has been pressed?

 

[btbass]

If the input pin is an A/D converter input?
A common way is to have a resistor network switched by the buttons, that apply a different voltage level for each Button.

 

[andre_luis]

If the pin is not A/D but smith-trigger, it is possible perform that reading in a much more complex way, but working with RC circuit timming.
I done with only 3 keys. I´m not sure if works properly with 8.

Works this way :
Each 1 of 3 keys, is connected to a resistor ( R1,R2,R3 ) from VDD bus, and all them are conected to the same capacitor-resistor discharging circuit ( C//R ).
Values of 3 resistors are scaled from ~3x one from other.
Time account of Rise/Fall determines wich key were pressed/released.

Obviouslly, RC timing must be chosen in order to be lower than user typing rate.

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[Hitesh.Chawla]

If the input pin is an A/D converter input?
A common way is to have a resistor network switched by the buttons, that apply a different voltage level for each Button.

Thanx for replying..
What I understood from your comment is this:
For each key, I apply input as either high or low voltage (bits 0/1) to an 8-bit Digital to Analog Converter. The output of DAC should be connected to the pin of 8085, which should work as A/D input.

And then 8085 will decide which key has been pressed looking at the analog voltage at this input pin.

Tell in case i am wrong in the concept.

 

[andre_luis]

Sugestion from btbass is based on voltage domain.
My sugestion is is based on timing domain.

His solution requires an A/D input chanel.
Mine requires a SmithTrigger input.

So are different concepts.

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[samson A.]

I actually love the adc one. You can run as much as 100 keys with it. But a current source to the adc input will be better tha a pullup resistor. I ve seen this scheme even in commercial product. Much like one wire network of keys. Oh cool.



All under heaven

 

[alexan_e]

The only problem with the ADC kind of solution is that if you press two buttons simultaneously the input will not be recognized or it will be recognized as a third button.
This will happen because there is a resistor matrix that gives specific voltages when a button is pressed, but when two buttons are pressed the output voltage will be set by two resistors in parallel.

Alex

 

[andre_luis]

It´s the price for that kind of solution.
Reliability of input will be sacrificed.

Of course, isn´t indicated to implement - for example - an numeric matrix 4x3 keiboard.
But could be applied to some applications wich need few keys wich are not so crictical ( start / stop / pause ) and even that unspected input key value, could be treated by firmware. ( avoiding prohibited states )

Defining a significant scale relation between resistors ( ~2:1 ) it is possible to determine if multiple keys were pressed simultaneously.

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