The rise of gaming keyboards
Over the past several years, the gaming market has seen an explosion in the number of gamers and revenue. This has led to an increasing demand for specialized gaming peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and headsets. In particular, the game keyboard becomes an indispensable part of any professional gaming system. Unlike regular office keyboards, game keyboards are designed with the purpose of optimizing the gaming experience. They provide faster response times, effective key collision prevention, and support for pressing multiple keys at the same time (n-key rollover). These features are very important in fast-paced games like FPS, RTS or MOBA. The introduction of mechanical switch technology like Cherry MX also plays an important role in enhancing the typing experience for gamers. These switches provide a clear, defined keystroke feel and are much more durable than switches on traditional membrane keyboards. Besides, the ability to customize key layout, assign macros as well as multi-color RGB backlighting feature are factors that modern gaming keyboards meet. This helps users have a comfortable and suitable gaming experience according to their own preferences.
Internal structure
Key hardware
Keycaps, switches, and stabilizers
Keycaps are the surface that users see and interact with directly. They are usually made from plastic or PBT, with a printed or laser engraved layer for added durability. Below the keycap is the switch - the main component that determines the feeling of typing. There are many different types of switches such as Cherry MX, Kailh, Gateron with linear (smooth), tactile (typing with a feeling) or clicky (also makes a clicking sound) characteristics. Stabilizers help keep the keycap from shifting when pressing down on large keys like Spacebar and Shift.Switch types: linear, tactile, clicky
Linear: Pressing the key feels smooth and even from the start until it hits the feedback point. Suitable for games that do not require sensory feedback such as FPS, battle royale. Tactile: There will be a distinct tactile bump called a "tactile bump". Helps users recognize that a key has been pressed successfully, avoiding over-typing. Suitable for many game genres. Clicky: In addition to the tactile point, there is also a clear clicking sound when pressed. Many gamers like this model because of its clear audio feedback. With the core part about key structure and switch types, we hope to help readers better understand the operation of game keyboards. We will go into the remaining content in the next section. To write in-depth about the signal detection system on the game keyboard, it is necessary to delve into the electronic principles of operation and solve problems such as masking/ghosting.
Signal detection system
Electronic detection principles
The operation of detecting signals from the keys on the game keyboard is based on the principle of the key matrix. When a key is pressed down, it closes the electronic circuit at the corresponding intersection on the matrix. The key matrix is usually built by many vertical and horizontal electrical conductors (rows) and horizontal (columns) stacked on top of each other, forming intersections. Each of these intersections will correspond to a specific key. When no key is pressed, all these junctions are open circuited. The microcontroller on the keyboard continuously scans the key matrix in rows and columns to detect changes in circuit status. When a key is pressed, the circuit at the corresponding junction closes, causing current to flow. The microcontroller will recognize the row and column position of that key that has been pressed.Masking/ghosting issues and solutions
However, the traditional key matrix has a drawback: it cannot accurately detect when the user presses too many keys at the same time (usually 3 or more keys). This causes "masking" or "ghosting", causing the keyboard to not properly recognize pressed keys. For example: If you press Q, A and Z simultaneously on some keyboards, they can be mistaken for pressing another key, such as X. The reason is that the circuit is closed through many wires and "lost". exact location. To overcome this problem, many game keyboards use "n-key rollover" or "anti-ghosting" technology. Instead of a simple matrix, they use a virtual matrix programmed to correctly detect all keys in all cases of simultaneous key presses. Some keyboards also use a separate circuit for each key to completely eliminate this problem. In addition, the key typing/scanning speed (polling rate) has also been increased for faster processing, serving fierce game matches. Some high-end keyboards can reach polling rates of up to 1000Hz, double that of the regular USB standard. With these technical advances, modern gaming keyboards can handle multitasking with keystrokes excellently, bringing important advantages to gamers.
Signal processing and performance
Microcontroller and firmware
The microcontroller plays the role of the brain in processing signals received from the key matrix. They often use ARM or AVR chips with high clock speeds to ensure fast processing speed. Firmware (embedded software) is loaded into the microcontroller to control the operation of the entire keyboard. Firmware determines how the keyboard scans the key matrix, processes output signals, prevents key collisions, customization, controls LEDs, connects to a computer, etc. Many manufacturers allow users to upgrade firmware to improve performance or add new features.Response time
Response time is an important factor in the gaming experience. This is the time from when the key is pressed until the reaction is recorded in the game. The faster the response, the greater the advantage in a fiercely competitive situation. Factors that determine response time include: microcontroller processing speed, firmware, switch type, keystroke/scan speed (polling rate), as well as connection protocols such as USB. Many modern game keyboards can achieve a response time of only about 1ms.N-key rollover (anti-ghosting)
As mentioned, n-key rollover solves the problem of ghosting/masking when pressing multiple keys at the same time. It allows the keyboard to accurately detect all keys pressed simultaneously, instead of getting confused. This technology works by using a virtual matrix, assigning each key a unique address on the matrix. When multiple keys are pressed at the same time, the microcontroller can determine all the corresponding addresses and avoid conflicts. Most gaming keyboards support a minimum of 6-key rollovers, while many high-end models can achieve n-key rollovers with absolutely no limit on the number of keys. This is very important for games that require pressing many complex keys at the same time.
Macro and customization support
The ability to assign macros (keyboard shortcuts) to a single key and customize the keyboard layout is an indispensable feature on game keyboards. It allows players to optimize the experience, quickly performing complex key combinations in the game. Users can assign arbitrary macros to keys via the manufacturer's control software. These macros will be stored in the keyboard's memory or on the software for reuse. Some high-end models also have separate macro keys or support macro recording directly on the key press. Customizing the key layout is also very useful to meet each gamer's playing style. Users can change the position and function of the keys to suit personal habits or meet the needs of specific games. In general, powerful signal processing capabilities and additional features are the factors that make up the excellent performance of a modern gaming keyboard. This section focuses on the design and user experience elements of gaming keyboards:Design and user experience
Key layout, materials, and build quality
Key layout plays an important role in the keyboard experience. The most common layouts are ANSI (for the North American market) and ISO (European). However, many manufacturers also offer other layouts such as tenkeyless (no number pad), 65%, 60% compact to save space. In addition, the size, shape and position of important keys such as Spacebar, Ctrl, Shift are also optimized to suit gamers' typing style, helping to increase speed and comfort. Regarding materials, the keyboard frame is usually made from aluminum or high-quality alloy to increase rigidity and vibration resistance. The keycaps of many game keyboards use thick and durable PBT or POM plastic to avoid discoloration and abrasion after thousands of hours of use. The quality of machining and assembly also determines the longevity and grip of the keyboard. Many high-end models have a completely discrete cable-free design, increasing aesthetics and portability.
