The control schemes for magnetic-switch keyboards have evolved into three distinct tiers. The single-chip scheme is exemplified by the Qinheng (WCH) CH32V305, which utilizes a dual-ADC architecture and a RISC-V core to meet the fundamental requirements of an 8K polling rate. The dual-chip scheme is represented by the HPMicro HPM5300 and Nordic 54 series; these overcome the limitations of single-chip designs by focusing on expanding computing power and enabling wireless connectivity, respectively. Schemes involving three or more chips follow two main paths: “multi-ADC parallel processing” (e.g., Qinheng’s CH32V305 combined with multiple CH448 chips) and “distributed master-slave architecture” (e.g., NearLink-based solutions like the “Three Stars” or TTC’s “Trident”). Ultimately, choosing a path involves finding the right balance among three dimensions—computing efficiency, wireless connectivity, and cost control—to align with the product’s market positioning.
I. Single-Chip Scheme: The Foundation for 8K Magnetic-Switch Keyboards
The single-chip scheme represents the most fundamental architecture for magnetic-switch keyboards, where a single MCU handles key scanning, ADC sampling, Rapid Trigger (RT) algorithm processing, USB reporting, and lighting control. While it offers advantages such as low cost and simple design, it faces a core challenge: how to allocate computing resources when the 8K polling rate consumes the majority of interrupt resources.
The Qinheng CH32V305 is currently the most representative MCU designed specifically for magnetic-switch keyboards within the single-chip category. It integrates a 16-channel dual-ADC setup, achieving key-scanning efficiency twice that of single-ADC solutions under similar conditions. Coupled with the QingKe RISC-V V4F core—featuring VTF interrupt response acceleration and a 144MHz clock speed—it effectively supports 8K performance from sampling through to data reporting. Its on-chip 480Mbps USB 2.0 High-Speed interface features a proprietary PHY, enabling an 8K polling rate without the need for an external high-speed transceiver. For an 80-key keyboard, pairing the MCU with five CH448 multiplexers satisfies the timing requirements for high-frequency, full-key scanning.
The HPMicro HPM5300 is also positioned as a high-end single-chip solution, featuring a 480MHz clock speed, multiple high-speed ADCs, and a full-speed USB architecture; it likewise aims to address the challenges of insufficient computing power and sampling precision in 8K magnetic-switch keyboards. Sonix’s SN34F288 utilizes a Cortex-M4F core and integrates a 16-channel, 12-bit SAR ADC; it supports 8K-polling analog magnetic switch solutions and is positioned as a general-purpose MCU platform for gaming keyboards and mice.
The limitation of single-chip solutions lies in the fact that they are “sufficient but not abundant.” When a keyboard simultaneously runs an 8K polling rate, full RGB lighting, multi-layer key mapping, and dual-mode wireless connectivity, the MCU’s computational headroom is squeezed to the limit. This is the fundamental reason for the emergence of dual-chip and triple-chip solutions.
II. Dual-Chip Solutions: Two Approaches to Decoupling
Dual-chip solutions for magnetic switch keyboards follow two technical paths: single-chip heterogeneous dual-core architectures and discrete dual-chip setups.
Telink’s TL3228 represents the single-chip heterogeneous dual-core approach. It integrates two RISC-V cores: a high-performance 192MHz D25F main core (with FPU) dedicated to ADC data processing and RT (Real-Time) algorithm logic, and a high-efficiency 96MHz N22 secondary core dedicated to USB/2.4GHz data transmission, the HID protocol stack, and RGB lighting. The main and secondary cores exchange data via shared memory, achieving physical-level decoupling between “computation” and “transmission.”
The Nordic nRF54 series approaches the dual-chip concept from the perspective of wireless connectivity. Supporting a 4Mbps wireless transmission rate, the nRF54LM20A is the mainstream choice for wireless controllers in flagship wireless magnetic switch mice and keyboards. The ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX (a 75% magnetic switch keyboard) employs the Nordic 54H controller, utilizing SpeedNova 8K wireless technology to achieve a wireless 8000Hz polling rate. The Nordic 54 series has become the de facto standard in the wireless mouse market; its low-power characteristics are critical to the practical usability of wireless 8K devices given their limited battery capacity.
The value of dual-chip solutions lies in functional layering: one chip focuses on “sensing and computation,” while the other focuses on “connectivity and transmission.” Operating in parallel without waiting for one another, this architecture provides the engineering foundation for stability in high-frequency 8K scenarios.
III. Three-Chip (and Above) Solutions: Two Divergent Paths
The three-chip solution is currently the focal point of the “arms race” among high-end magnetic switch keyboards, yet implementation follows two distinct paths.
Path 1: Multi-ADC Parallel Architecture
This path is exemplified by the Qinheng (WCH) solution; its core logic involves using multiple dedicated ADC chips to distribute the sampling load of key scanning. Qinheng’s complete solution combines a CH32V305 main controller with multiple CH448 multiplexers and CH643 lighting control chips. As a dual 1:8 multiplexer, a single CH448 chip manages up to 16 keys; for an 80-key keyboard, five CH448 chips suffice to meet the timing requirements for a full-key scan every 125 microseconds at an 8K polling rate.
The Qianxingzhe (Forerunner) ES68 “Dawn” adopts an extension of this path: it features the Ruifeng “Super-Competitive” (Ultra-Gaming) automotive-grade main controller chip, paired with a high-performance MCU and nine independent ADC chips, ensuring signal transmission stability and precision at the hardware level. This represents one of the magnetic switch keyboard solutions with the highest number of ADC chips currently disclosed.
Path 2: Master-Slave Distributed Computing Architecture
This path is represented by the NearLink (SparkLink) solution and TTC’s in-house solution; the core logic involves using multiple MCUs to create a distributed computing pool.
The Aula (Langzhu) AG75 utilizes the new-generation NearLink “Three-Star” solution, employing a direct-connection architecture with three MCUs to overcome the scanning limitations of traditional single-controller designs. The Aula WIN 60HE series also specifies the use of “multiple custom high-performance gaming chips,” indicating that Aula has standardized the multi-chip architecture across its high-end magnetic switch product lines.
TTC’s “Trident” solution employs a three-chip architecture consisting of “one 480MHz main controller and two 240MHz slave controllers,” supporting a 444K full-key scan rate and 0.001mm Rapid Trigger (RT) precision, with slave chips processing ADC sampling tasks for different key zones in parallel.
The ATK Fanta FUZZY 63V2 / NOTHING 68 features a “Tri-Core Frame Synchronization” solution (Tri-Core Frame Engine), utilizing three high-frequency MCUs to build a distributed, collaborative computing architecture aimed at suppressing timing drift and input jitter at the fundamental level. The VGN Lightning 68 is marketed as featuring a “three-chip configuration” comprising a 512MHz main core and two 240MHz co-processors; it employs a “dual-MCU + single-ADC” pyramid architecture, supporting a 512kHz full-key scan rate and 0.001mm Rapid Trigger (RT) precision.
IV. Wireless Solutions: Division of Labor Between nRF54 and NearLink
For wireless magnetic-switch keyboards, the MCU solution must account for RF connectivity capabilities.
The Nordic nRF54 series is a mainstream choice for flagship wireless keyboards from international brands. The ASUS ROG Shadow Blade (Yingmo) utilizes the Nordic 54H MCU, while the Keychron G9 HE mouse also employs the nRF54LM20A. The core advantages of the nRF54—support for 4Mbps wireless speeds and efficient power management—serve as the hardware foundation for wireless 8K polling rates.
The NearLink (Xingshan) solution represents the primary technical path for domestic magnetic-switch keyboards in high-throughput wireless scenarios. The Qianxingzhe ES68’s NearLink 32K solution achieves 0.03ms latency, while the Aula AG75’s NearLink “Three-Star” solution supports a 32kHz full-key scan rate.
The Dareu A104 PRO 8K adopts an NXP MCU solution, demonstrating an average latency of 1.79ms and a minimum single-event latency of 0.46ms in testing, proving that NXP is equally competitive in the 8K wired magnetic-switch keyboard market.
V. Underlying Logic of Solution Selection
When comparing the MCU solutions available on the market, the selection logic becomes clear:
Single-chip solutions (e.g., Qinheng CH32V305, HPMicro HPM5300, Sonix SN34F288) are suitable for mid-to-high-end wired magnetic-switch keyboards; they utilize dual ADCs and RISC-V cores to meet the baseline requirements for 8K performance while keeping costs under control.
Dual-chip solutions (e.g., Telink TL3228, Nordic 54 + nRF54) are suited for flagship products that must simultaneously handle 8K wired/wireless connectivity, multi-layer configurations, and RGB lighting effects, leveraging functional partitioning to ensure stability. Multi-ADC architectures (e.g., Qinheng CH32V305 paired with multiple CH448s, or the Qianxingzhe model using nine ADCs) are suited for scenarios requiring high-precision sampling across all keys, utilizing parallel sampling to eliminate single-channel bottlenecks.
Master-slave multi-core architectures (e.g., the “Three Stars” from NearLink, TTC Trident, and VGN Pyramid) cater to competitive flagship models that prioritize extreme scanning rates and real-time (RT) precision, leveraging distributed computing power to minimize input jitter.
There is no single “optimal solution.” The performance ceiling of a magnetic-switch keyboard is determined by the interplay of the switch mechanism, the sensor, and the microcontroller (MCU)—with the MCU acting merely as the “scheduling hub” within the signal chain. The choice between a single-chip and a multi-chip design depends on the desired balance among latency, stability, wireless capabilities, and cost.
