aleksandralekseev / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard PCB Design

aleksandralekseev

aleksandralekseev

Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB from scratch on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. Top side priority:
Keep the top side clean and user-facing. Place the mechanical key switches in a regular macro-keypad grid with consistent row/column spacing and aligned orientation. Keep the RGB LEDs visually associated with their corresponding switches and avoid crowding the key grid. Place rotary encoders and any user-facing controls on the top side in ergonomic positions near the key grid. Place mounting holes near the board corners and keep them clear of switches and encoders. Bottom side priority:
Place the Raspberry Pi Pico / MCU module and the majority of supporting electronics on the bottom side. Group the MCU, flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power parts, reset/boot circuitry, USB/support passives, and decoupling capacitors by function. Keep decoupling capacitors close to their associated IC power pins, crystal/load caps close to the MCU oscillator pins, and power components clustered together. Minimize estimated routing distance between the bottom-side MCU and the top-side switches, LEDs, and encoders. Prefer moving support passives on the bottom side rather than contaminating the top-side visual layout. Placement quality goals:
Resolve overlaps, keep all components inside the board outline, preserve routing channels between the key grid and MCU area, and maintain clean edge/corner clearance. Use both layers intentionally: top for human-interface components, bottom for dense electronics. After placement, run DRC/review and report any remaining overlap, off-board, or layer-assignment issues.
3 days

flux

0:40

Planning for PCB design.

Thinking deeply.

Creating execution plan.

I've made a plan and started work on it.
Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the Pico Macro Keyboard PCB on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. The top side must host a user-centric interface with a regular macro keypad grid of mechanical key switches, RGB LEDs paired with their switches, and rotary encoders placed in ergonomic proximity to the grid, with mounting holes at the board corners. The bottom side must host the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and associated supporting circuits (including decoupling capacitors, crystal/load capacitor circuitry, and power electronics) grouped by function while minimizing routing lengths to top-side interface components.
#Implementation plan
  1. Configure the PCB layout:
    1. Set board dimensions to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle shape.
    2. Establish a 4-layer stackup with designated top (user interface) and bottom (MCU/support) zones, preserving necessary routing channels.
  2. Place components on the top side:
    1. Fresh-place mechanical key switches in a regular macro keypad grid layout.
    2. Place per-key RGB LEDs immediately adjacent to their respective mechanical switches.
    3. Position rotary encoders ergonomically near the grid for user controls.
    4. Place mounting holes near the board corners for mechanical stability.
  3. Place components on the bottom side:
    1. Fresh-place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module.
    2. Group supporting electronics (e.g., decoupling capacitors, oscillator crystals with load capacitors, and power parts) by function, ensuring decoupling is near IC power pins and crystal/load caps are near oscillator pins.
    3. Minimize routing distances from the bottom components to the top-side interface elements.
  4. Perform layout and design rule checks (DRC):
    1. Validate that all component placements respect board boundaries and routing channels.
    2. Resolve any overlaps, off-board placements, or layer-assignment issues.
    3. Report any remaining issues after automated DRC/review.
#Success criteria
  • The PCB layout is a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle board with a well-defined 4-layer stackup.
  • Top side contains the user interface with key switches, paired RGB LEDs, rotary encoders, and mounting holes placed as specified.
  • Bottom side contains the Raspberry Pi Pico and grouped support electronics with proper decoupling and crystal/load cap placement.
  • DRC passes without any major placement, overlap, off-board, or layer-assignment issues, or any found issues are clearly reported for further resolution.
Silkscreen orientation
Grid spacing priority
Bottom passives only
Placement review
USB edge access
3 days
​
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    Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

    Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example] thumbnail
    The Pico Macro Keyboard is a compact and powerful macro pad built using the latest Raspberry Pi Pico 2. Inspired by the Figma Creator Micro, this keyboard is designed for customizable control and enhanced productivity. It features mechanical switches with per-key RGB lighting, along with two rotary encoders for added functionality. With a modular 4-layer PCB and fully customizable keymaps, it seamlessly integrates with any software, making it perfect for designers, gamers, and power users alike.

    Properties

    creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    Pricing & Availability

    Distributor

    Qty 1

    Arrow

    $3.36–$3.36

    Digi-Key

    $9.30–$10.93

    LCSC

    $8.11–$8.30

    Mouser

    $9.85

    TME

    $0.99

    Verical

    $6.35–$8.42

    Controls

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