Introduction:

The purpose of this experiment is to identify key presses from a 4x4 keypad matrix and display the key value on a UART serial console. This is accomplished using the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller, a popular and affordable board, interfaced with a keypad matrix. Keypad scanning is a fundamental concept in embedded systems, often used in applications requiring user input such as access control systems or basic calculators.

   Scope:

This experiment covers the basics of matrix keypad scanning, interfacing input devices (keypad) with a microcontroller (Raspberry Pi Pico), and sending the scanned key to a UART serial console. The experiment applies to embedded systems development where user input is necessary and is foundational for building more complex applications, such as smart home devices, security systems, or industrial control panels.

   Prerequisite:

    3.1. Hardware: 

    • Pico microcontroller 

    • 4x4 Keypad matrix

    • Breadboard

    • Jumper wires

    • USB cable (to connect the computer)

    3 .2. Software: 

    • Thonny Software(For micro python)

    • MicroPython firmware installed on Raspberry Pi Pico

    • ubuntu Terminal(For embedded C)

    • CMake,Pico SDK,GNU Arm Embedded Toolchain,WSL.