Well, been around 5 days since the last update. It has been pretty busy week for me as typically; leave home 7.30 in the morning and arrive home at 23.45 midnight. Between work-stuff I've been trying to make some progress for this project. For this week I think I can summarize in bullet points below:

• Software Update:
  • Some restructuring was done in the software. Which pretty much almost ends up like rewriting the whole thing. Though at this point I am a bit more satisfy with the progress. Does the job pretty well as my casual keyboard with additional personal flavors on top of it. Of course I am open to improvements from the community. In short I've been trying to really simplify the syntax and way the code works etc. So I hope people with little programming background can understand and adjust the software as they want it.
  • Github's on the way. I just need to allocate some time to properly set it up. Hopefully this week.
• Hardware Update:
  • As covered in my previous log. I am currently busy with making the second version of this keyboard. There are plenty of feedback from the community and I am trying to accommodate those feedback as much as I can. I hope having more features on the will attract more and more people to try recreating this project and eventually become the keyboard that they'll use daily for the rest of their life :) In general the proposed changes are:
    • Wired Variant. In my previous log I mentioned that i will implement teensy as the alternative component on the board for wired version. However, after some considerations, I am now changing the plan. Having 2 variants in which both uses different type of uC, it might in fact introduce some 'confusions' in the firmware part. Because of the difference, one will be more developed than the other etc etc. So the rplan is now for the wired version, I am now replacing the ATMEGA328p as the co controller on the board to ATMEGA32u4. As you might haver known, ATMEGA32u4 has built in USB peripherals embedded for HID stuffs. So I am sure this won't hurt much. So in conclusion, for both variants, ATMEGA2560 will remain as its primary controller.
    • Bluetooth HID. As it is now, I am currently using bluefruit HID with embedded HID firmware ready out of the box. However, I do understand that this part is actually getting more and more scarce; or in other words harder and harder to get. Also the price for some people might be a bit much. As I menationed earlier, the options are either going to WIRED version of use alternative bluetooth Module. So in the next version of the PCB design I will provide 2 footprints either Bluefruit EZ key or alternative. At this point in time, my eyes are on to the famous Bluetooth HC-05. There has been many firmware hack flying over community about this bluetooth module, so I think it is a wise option.
    • Additional RF Module. In the current design, I implemented LORA module for local wireless communication. But apparently there aren't much of application with it yet. So in the next PCB version I will include the footprint of nrf24l01 module. Yes you are right, the 1 dollar or so wireless module. By doing this I hope you can pick and choose either to populate the board with LORA module or the nrf24l01 module.
    • Additional External RAM. Though atmega2569 considerably has pretty big flash memory. The RAM in this is not that much, 8K. I will add possibility to add this IC on the board as well. Just in case you are making hardcore application that requires temporary/dynamic memory outside the uC.
    • Additional Atmel CryptoAuthentication Device. For those who are really concern about security, I have decided to add the possibility to implement Atmel CryptoAuthentication Device on board. This kind of chip has been widely used fin many security sensitive device as it uses some sophisticated magic inside to encrypt and decrypt keys. Will be very handy as a complementary feature with the NFC/RFID reader.
    • Better mounting profile. In the current design the mounting place was not really placed really well, because of the rush etc. So it is quite difficult to properly design a 3D frame or something like that. As a result, at this point I am relying on the most amazing hot gun to hold the power parts together. In the next version I am taking into consideration this factor more seriously.
    • Among other fixes. tiny little adjustments in the design that I hope will make it better from decoupling capacitor, power distribution up to the routing ETC.
    I hope I can cover all this points and implement it in the new design. Technically also I don't have much time. Assuming this project proceed to the Hackaday's prize final, then I have to more swiftly. I am targeting by the end of this week the final GERBER is ready. It is going to be difficult because of the next bullet point.
• Maker Faire Eindhoven
  • In case you are living in the Southern Netherlands or somewhere and decided to come to Eindhoven Maker Faire, don't forget to say Hi if you see a guy strolling around with a colorful keyboard strapped around :) I will also possibly join the Make-athon on the second day (Sunday).