kolj / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard PCB Design

kolj

kolj

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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Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. The board will have the top side devoted to a clean user interface (mechanical switches arranged in a regular grid with their associated per-key RGB LEDs and rotary encoders placed near the grid) and the bottom side hosting the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU with supporting electronics (decoupling, crystal/load caps, power, reset/boot, USB/support passives placed close to their associated circuitry). The overall placement will minimize routing distance between top and bottom components while preserving dedicated routing channels and avoiding overlaps or off-board connectors.
#Implementation plan
  1. Board Setup
    1. Configure the PCB to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle shape with a standard 4-layer stackup.
    2. Define clear board limits and mounting hole clearances near the corners.
  2. Top Side Placement (User Interface)
    1. Fresh-place mechanical switches in a regular, aligned macro-keypad grid.
    2. Place per-key RGB LEDs in positions visually associated with each switch, ensuring they do not crowd the layout.
    3. Place rotary encoders and other user controls ergonomically near the grid to optimize user access.
    4. Position mounting holes near the board corners with sufficient clearance.
  3. Bottom Side Placement (MCU and Electronics)
    1. Fresh-place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module on the bottom side with its required footprint.
    2. Group related supporting electronics by function (e.g., decoupling capacitors, crystal with load caps, power circuitry, reset/boot circuit, USB and support passive components) to maintain proximal relationships with the MCU pins.
    3. Ensure that all supporting components are placed to minimize trace lengths and maintain electrical performance.
  4. Routing and Integration
    1. Preserve routing channels between the top and bottom sides, and minimize the routing distance between the MCU circuitry and the top-side switches/LEDs/encoders.
    2. Ensure that routing paths for signals crossing between layers are optimized to avoid overlaps or off-board issues.
  5. DRC Review and Final Validation
    1. Run DRC and placement checks to identify any remaining overlaps, off-board component issues, or layer-assignment conflicts.
    2. Record and report any issues that need resolution and adjust placement if required.
#Success criteria
  • The board is configured as a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle, 4-layer PCB with defined mounting clearances.
  • Top-side user components (switches, RGB LEDs, and rotary encoders) and bottom-side MCU/support electronics are fully and cleanly placed.
  • Routing channels are preserved, and connections between the bottom MCU and top user interface components are minimized.
  • The DRC report shows no significant overlaps, off-board issues, or layer-assignments issues.
This plan addresses all the project requirements as specified in the query and preserves the design's manufacturability and performance.
USB edge access
Switch spacing
Fix overlaps first
Bottom passives only
4 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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