ghostriger / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example] wSgX

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Macro Keyboard PCB Design

ghostriger

ghostriger

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.
4 days

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0:37

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Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB from scratch on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. Use the top layer for the human interface with a regular, aligned macro-key grid, associated RGB LEDs integrated with the switches, and ergonomic placement of rotary encoders/user controls. Use the bottom layer for the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module along with the supporting circuitry (flash, oscillator, regulator, USB, reset/boot, and decoupling), grouping components by function to optimize routing and performance. Mounting holes must be clear of controls near the board corners.
#Implementation plan
  1. Board Setup:
    1. Set the PCB to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle board with a standard 4-layer stackup.
  2. Top Side Placement:
    1. Place a regular aligned macro-key grid for mechanical switches on the top layer.
    2. Pair RGB LEDs with each switch, ensuring visual association without crowding the layout.
    3. Place rotary encoders/user controls ergonomically near the key grid.
    4. Add mounting holes near the corners, ensuring these remain clear of controls.
  3. Bottom Side Placement:
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and support electronics on the bottom layer.
    2. Group components by function:
      1. MCU and flash components together.
      2. Crystal/oscillator with load capacitors close to oscillator pins.
      3. Regulator/power parts together with decoupling caps placed near IC power pins.
      4. Reset/boot control and USB/support passives in dedicated areas.
  4. Routing and Clearance Optimization:
    1. Optimize placement to minimize routing distance between the bottom MCU and top switches/LEDs/encoders.
    2. Ensure all components remain within board outlines, maintain edge/corner clearance, and preserve routing channels.
    3. Intentionally utilize both layers for component placement and routing.
  5. Design Rule Check and Final Review:
    1. Run a DRC (Design Rule Check) to identify and resolve overlaps, off-board issues, or any layer assignment issues.
    2. Report any remaining issues for final review.
#Success criteria
  • The board size is correctly set to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle with a proper 4-layer stackup.
  • The top layer contains a cleanly aligned macro-key grid with integrated RGB LEDs, well-placed rotary encoders, and unobstructed mounting holes.
  • The bottom layer houses the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU and supporting electronic components in grouped, function-based clusters with optimized decoupling and routing paths.
  • All components are within board limits, routing channels are preserved, and edge/corner clearances meet design requirements with no unresolved DRC issues.
Set switch spacing
Bottom passives only
Run DRC check
Mounting hole clearance
4 days
​
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    Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example] wSgX

    Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example] wSgX 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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