How to connect to a very, very challanging BlackBerry Q10 keyboard connector? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 05:42:34 am
content: I want to use this in a project. I am not 100% sure but this looks to me to be about 0.4mm and it is as tiny as it looks. I should have gotten a straighter on picture. Surprised this came out as well as it did, but I could have done better. I can't find the appropriate socket anywhere to purchase. Any ideas on what I should be trying to make a connection or where to get this socket? Would prefer a socket, I can make my own PCBs and I am very good at mounting small SMT parts under the microscope with a bit of hot air. Thanks in advance!

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 01:28:39 pm
content: Molex SlimStack 0.4?

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 05:27:49 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on August 20, 2015, 01:28:39 pmIt looks to me you could be right. When I look at Molex's site and Mouser though the very weird thing is they carry 26 pin versions and 30 pin versions but not 28 which is what I count on this connector.http://www.molex.com/molex/products/family?key=slimstack_fine_pitch_smt_board_to_board_connectors&channel=products&chanName=family&pageTitle=Introductionhttp://www.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Ntk=P_MarCom&Ntt=130129646(.35mm connectors that look exactly like this one)http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=SlimStack(all SlimStack connectors)Why do you think that is?

author: mazurov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 05:48:28 pm
content: Looks like HIROSE DF40 to me. When drawing land pattern for it pay attention to extra edge pins.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 05:53:25 pm
content: Quote from: mazurov on August 20, 2015, 05:48:28 pmI appreciate this. They look like really similar connectors. I thought posting here would be good because of all you industry guys who recognize these sorts of things.http://www.mouser.com/search/refine.aspx?Ntk=P_MarCom&Ntt=142026239The very odd thing is still no 28 conductor version. Any idea what is up with that? Did Blackberry f*ck me here by using their corporate might to demand a non-standard conductor so this part would not be diverted into amateur projects?

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 08:47:37 pm
content: I see the Hirose logo now... perhaps it is aBM14C(0.8)-28DP-0.4V(51).

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 10:20:35 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on August 20, 2015, 08:47:37 pmThat may be right. If so, I'm screwed. No one is selling these for any pin count with any minimum or not.

author: Maxlor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 10:53:04 pm
content: I'm seeing 8000 pieces minimum order, at $0.70 per piece. Probably not a good solution for you.The pin pitch isn't really that small though, you could just solder wires to the connector (where it already has solder, not the gold contact) then solder those to a PCB. Fiddly, but doable.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2015, 11:22:47 pm
content: Quote from: Maxlor on August 20, 2015, 10:53:04 pmI wonder if there is some way to make a slot in a PCB and have traces for each conductor right up to the slot edge and just solder it... With the prices for PCBs at OSHPark being what they are I could probably try a few things...

author: mazurov
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2015, 03:33:26 am
content: I told you already. Headers on DF40, as well as receptacles on other types have extra edge pins just for mounting, i.e., not making electrical contact with anything. They are also not counted as "pins' in the datasheet. It is not clear what was that you counted - inner or outer pins, I suggest to do it again and if counts are different use the one that is smaller.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2015, 04:56:24 am
content: Quote from: mazurov on August 21, 2015, 03:33:26 amI think I understand you. Take a look at the pictures above. There are two rows of 14 pins each, 28 total. Now, as you say, it's obvious that the top two pins and bottom two pins have no connection and are reinforced with a bit more solder. That makes it 24 pins, not 28, and Mouser has a 24 pin receptacle DF40C(2.0)-24DS-0.4V(51) and a 24 pin header DF40C-24DP-0.4V(51), just as you say. I will order that receptacle and see if it works out. Thanks. Now it makes sense.

author: that_guy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2015, 03:05:35 pm
content: I have some experience with these board-to-board connectors and I can say that you're extremely lucky that this one has the HRS logo on it so you at least know the manufacturer. What you need now is some calipers to measure the identifying dimensions on this plug so that you can purchase the correct receptacle. "Looking like" a particular range isn't good enough because ranges differ only by 10th's of a mm and the fit is very tight such that you cannot get away with being close but not exact.Manual soldering using an iron with Hirose connectors is possible under a microscope because the receptacle pins protrude far enough from the edge unlike certain other manufacturers. Hot air is a bad idea. The plastic is soft and you'll easily melt it.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2015, 05:24:28 pm
content: Quote from: that_guy on August 21, 2015, 03:05:35 pmOk. Thanks for that advice. I have calipers and a microscope too but I have never measured something this small so I will have to give that a go. I am actually rather good at soldering small parts. Looking at this plug, if the receptacle has pins that protrude like the plug does (and they do on the datasheets I have seen so far), I doubt I will have any serious trouble soldering it. At that point I am hoping the keyboard is just a switch matrix because that will make it rather easy to figure out.

author: doctormord
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 11:18:48 am
content: Why not getting a broken phone where this keyboard comes from? De/Resolder the socket and you're fine?

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2015, 11:03:00 pm
content: Quote from: doctormord on August 28, 2015, 11:18:48 amI looked into that and though I don't recall seeing prices that thrilled me. It's also not reproducible if I want to make more than one of these things and I think I will.Here are some parts that I found. Not sure if the second, more reasonable one, even contains the socket.Full "broken" or bricked in some manner phone ($46):http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blackberry-Q10-16GB-Smartphone-New-LCD-Handset-Bad-Software-keypad-For-Parts-/301477440113Assembly ($15):http://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-Touch-Screen-Digitizer-LCD-Assembly-for-BlackBerry-Q10-Replacement-Parts-/400837319886

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2015, 06:17:24 am
content: Finally got it thanks to the replies here: Hirose BM14B(0.-24DS-0.4V(53) Digikey PN H122178CT-NDMade an adapter so I could get at the keyboard conveniently:And then I figured it out and made a test project:

author: jdraughn
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 10:35:50 am
content: CongratsQuote from: JoeN on October 26, 2015, 06:17:24 am

author: crispy_tofu
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 11:58:26 am
content: Wow, fantastic!

author: tec5c
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 12:20:47 pm
content: Your test project is writing a novel on an OLED display??

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2015, 07:16:34 pm
content: Quote from: tec5c on October 27, 2015, 12:20:47 pmIt's just a proof that the thing works and all the keys are recognized.My first test was actually going through all the keys one by one. But that was boring, so the second test was typing out something "normal" on it and I just chose that text because I like the book.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2017, 08:47:01 pm
content: I've gotten a few questions on this and I am going to post some information here so everyone can see it. Also, I don't see how to do attachments on the PMs.QuoteThe connector is correct. They call it a 24 pin connector but it has 28 conductors. I guess the outer 4 are guard connectors and are not recommended as signals? It's odd. But here is the actual part I ordered and the actual part number and go ahead and count the pins. It works. View the image and count the pins and you will see.I will also attach my .INO file as TXT, it gives the map of keys. The keyboard is a simple matrix. Once you have the keyboard attached to a breakout adapter, finding the key map is very easy with a continuity tester, you will have zero problems determining that even if you didn't have my map.I have attached my DipTrace files and Gerbers for the adapter.Everything was done by an amateur is is not guaranteed to work. But it all worked for me just fine.

author: DG41WV
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2017, 01:01:25 am
content: Quote from: JoeN on October 27, 2015, 07:16:34 pmYou could use "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" next time. it contains all the letters of the English alphabet

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2017, 02:12:20 am
content: Quote from: DG41WV on May 30, 2017, 01:01:25 amMy first test was abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz which has the same effect and is actually perfectly easy to type and even easier to remember.

author: A320mech
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 22, 2019, 04:14:05 pm
content: Hi everyone, new guy here.I'm making a similar project but mine will hook up to Usb. Any idea on what voltage the backlight works on please?Cheers,Kyle.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2025, 06:41:13 am
content: I was browsing Hackaday today and did a double-take. Gosh, that board looks familiar. It is! Check this out...https://hackaday.com/2025/06/04/the-blackberry-keyboard-how-an-open-source-ecosystem-sprouts/