ladix552003 / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard Design

ladix552003

ladix552003

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.
6 days

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0:54

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Thinking deeply about your request.

Considering board design.

I've made a plan, and started work on it.
Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB from scratch on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board, with user-facing controls on the top layer and Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU with supporting electronics on the bottom layer. The top layer must include a regular aligned macro-keypad grid with mechanical key switches, accompanying RGB LEDs without crowding, ergonomically positioned rotary encoders, and mounting holes near clear board corners, while the bottom side should host the MCU, flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power, reset/boot, USB support passives, and decoupling components all grouped appropriately by function.
#Implementation plan
  1. Configure PCB dimensions and stackup
    1. Set board size to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle.
    2. Define a 4-layer PCB stackup with appropriate layer assignments (top for user controls, bottom for Pico and supporting electronics).
  2. Place top-side user interface components
    1. Place mechanical key switches in a regular, aligned macro-keypad grid.
    2. Position RGB LEDs associated with each switch, ensuring spacing that avoids crowding.
    3. Place rotary encoders/user controls in ergonomic positions near the grid.
    4. Add mounting holes near clear board corners.
  3. Place bottom-side electronics components
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module along with its dedicated footprint.
    2. Group supporting electronics by function:
      1. Position the flash component, crystal/oscillator (with crystal/load caps close to oscillator pins), regulator/power components, reset/boot circuitry, and USB/support passives.
      2. Cluster decoupling capacitors close to each associated IC power pin and maintain minimal routing distances to the top-side elements.
      3. Preserve existing routing channels and grouping to keep parts organized.
  4. Review and validate placement
    1. Evaluate component placements to ensure no overlaps or off-board assignments.
    2. Confirm that placement preserves practical routing channels and minimizes trace lengths.
    3. Run DRC/review and document any remaining overlaps, off-board placements, or layer-assignment issues with recommendations for corrections.
#Success criteria
  • The PCB is a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle board with a correct 4-layer stackup, using the top layer exclusively for user-facing controls and the bottom for the Pico/MCU and supporting electronics.
  • All mechanical key switches are aligned in a grid with RGB LEDs placed non-crowded relative to the switches and rotary encoders in ergonomic positions.
  • The bottom side has grouped electronics for the MCU, flash, crystal/oscillator, power circuitry, reset/boot, USB components, and decoupling placed in proximity to relevant ICs.
  • Routing channels are preserved, component placements minimize wiring distances and DRC shows no remaining layout issues after review.
Top-only switches
Bottom MCU placement
Prioritize symmetry
Review after placement
6 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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