eng-ahmad-abusaif / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard PCB Design

eng-ahmad-abusaif

eng-ahmad-abusaif

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

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Plan
#Goal
  • Design a Pico Macro Keyboard PCB on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board with a user-facing top side hosting a clean macro-keypad grid with mechanical switches, aligned per-key RGB LEDs, rotary encoders, and other interface controls, while the bottom side houses the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and grouped supporting electronics for flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power, reset/boot, USB support, and decoupling.
#Implementation plan
  1. Board Setup
    1. Configure the design to use a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle board with a standard 4-layer stackup.
  2. Top-Side Placement (User Interface)
    1. Fresh-place mechanical key switches in a regular grid for the macro keypad.
    2. Position per-key RGB LEDs in visual association with each corresponding switch ensuring they are not crowding the layout.
    3. Place rotary encoders and additional user-facing controls ergonomically near the key grid.
    4. Position mounting holes near the board corners ensuring they are clear of switches, encoders, and other user interface components.
  3. Bottom-Side Placement (MCU and Support Electronics)
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module on the bottom side.
    2. Fresh-place supporting electronics and group them by function:
      1. MCU and flash components together.
      2. Place the crystal/oscillator with associated load capacitors near the MCU oscillator pins.
      3. Cluster regulator and other power parts together.
      4. Position reset and boot circuitry appropriately.
      5. Group USB and supporting passive components together on the bottom.
      6. Place decoupling capacitors close to their corresponding IC power pins.
  4. Routing and Placement Optimization
    1. Preserve routing channels between the top key grid and the bottom MCU area.
    2. Minimize the routing distance between the bottom-mounted MCU and the top-side interface components.
    3. Resolve any overlaps and ensure all components are kept inside the board outline.
    4. Intentionally use both layers to optimize signal paths and support component groupings.
  5. DRC Review and Adjustments
    1. Run a Design Rule Check (DRC) to detect any remaining overlaps, off-board placements, or layer-assignment issues.
    2. Adjust placements and routing as required to resolve any identified violations.
#Success criteria
  • The top side hosts a uniformly aligned macro-keypad grid with user-facing components (switches, LEDs, encoders) and clear mounting holes.
  • The bottom side houses the Pico/MCU with grouped and proximity-optimized supporting electronics (flash, oscillator, regulator, reset/boot, USB, decoupling).
  • Routing channels and proximity requirements for sensitive components are preserved, and DRC reports no critical issues or component overlaps.
Top controls only
Bottom passives preference
Prioritize grid symmetry
Run DRC checks
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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