Full FW16 input module specifications

[bemymonkey]

Hello everyone,

I’m thinking about making a custom input module for myself (with a trackpoint) to use with the FW16 - this would greatly reduce my reliance on Lenovo for hardware.

However, the github section on input modules is quite lacking, especially for the full keyboard-sized input modules - there’s a mechanical drawing and a STEP file, but no full electrical specification. The latter is available only for the small input modules.

Is the electrical specification identical across all input module sizes? If so, what is the additional set of contacts on the large input module for?

The 2D drawing seems to imply that one would only use the leftmost position:

Can someone here confirm that?

Is there a more complete set of specification documents somewhere that I haven’t found yet? Will more info be uploaded as the FW16 rolls out to customers?

[MJ1]

@bemymonkey

what is the additional set of contacts on the large input module for?

I presume that it’s just for the additional magnets, for a stronger hold & better stability. Each location should have magnets on the keyboard side to match with the magnets on the connector row.

@bemymonkey

Will more info be uploaded as the FW16 rolls out to customers?

I’m sure we’ll get more. They do note:

the documentation here is pretty early, so there may be minor adjustments in the mechanical or electrical designs before the Framework Laptop 16 launches. We’ll let you know when the design is locked for production.

https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/InputModules/tree/main

They’ve mentioned being busy, in general, with work on the Framework-16.

[nrp]

The electrical specification is the same for all Input Modules. That is correct that on the keyboard-sized Input Module, you would only use the left-most header.

[MJ1]

@MJ1

They’ve mentioned being busy, in general, with work on the Framework-16.

> CEO anwsers shortly after

[bemymonkey]

Thank you for clarifying that! I’ll get started with my PoC and then figure out the (mechanical) specifics when more documentation is available and the first FW16s are in the wild

[Josh_Cook]

@MJ1

the documentation here is pretty early, so there may be minor adjustments in the mechanical or electrical designs before the Framework Laptop 16 launches. We’ll let you know when the design is locked for production.

I believe Input Modules are complete and will not be changed now.

[C_Scott_Ananian]

Will we get documentation on the touchpad module (cf Mechanical/electrical specs for touchpad module )?

[C_Scott_Ananian]

The keyboard module I want to build is double-height; aka it includes ~2cm of the touchpad space: Thinkpad keyboard mod (super early stages)! - #38 by C_Scott_Ananian . Would be nice to have specs for that part.

[Xavier_Jiang]

Do we know how to put the keyboards in bootloader mode?
I have made (I think) new firmware for the numpad, I would like to try it out.

[MJ1]

For the numpad you can find methods here

@MJ1

The macropad shares code with the numpad, so the numpad method of “Hold down keys for 2 and 6 while installing the module” works.
Bootmagic reset to bootloader, Hold numlock key (row 2, column 1 key) while inserting the module.

     *         ┌────┬────┬────┬────┐
     *   row 1 │Esc │Calc│ =  │ <- │
     *         ├────┼────┼────┼────┤
     *   row 2 │ Num│ /  │ *  │ -  │
     *         ├────┼────┼────┼────┤
     *   row 3 │ 7  │ 8  │ 9  │ +  │
     *         ├────┼────┼────┼────┤
     *   row 4 │ 4  │ 5  │ 6  │ +  │
     *         ├────┼────┼────┼────┤
     *   row 5 │ 1  │ 2  │ 3  │Entr│
     *         ├────┼────┼────┼────┤
     *   row 6 │ 0  │ 0  │ .  │Entr│
     *         └────┴────┴────┴────┘

Last option I can think of, the qmk_hid tool can trigger bootloader mode. github.com/FrameworkComputer/qmk_hid

For a regular keyboard holding down Both left-Alt and right-Alt while installing the module is one way
Custom QMK firmware? - #14 by MJ1
Also, remember to clear persistent memory after flashing, unless you’ve disabled Via entirely
Custom QMK firmware? - #31 by MJ1