liyd / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard Design

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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.
5 days

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Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire existing Pico Macro Keyboard PCB from scratch on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. The design will keep the top layer clean, housing all user-facing components, including switches arranged in a regular macro-keypad grid with corresponding per-key RGB LEDs, and ergonomically placed rotary encoders. The bottom layer will accommodate the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and supporting electronics (flash, crystal, load capacitors, regulator, reset/boot, and USB passives) in grouped functional clusters, with proper decoupling and minimal routing distance from the MCU to top controls.
#Implementation plan
  1. Board Setup
    1. Configure the PCB dimensions to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle.
    2. Set up a standard 4-layer stackup with designated top and bottom layers for respective groups.
  2. Component Placement
    1. On the Top layer:
      1. Re-position the macro-keypad switches into a clean, regular grid layout.
      2. Place corresponding per-key RGB LEDs adjacent to each switch.
      3. Position rotary encoders and other user controls ergonomically near the grid.
      4. Reserve mounting hole clearances near the board corners.
    2. On the Bottom layer:
      1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module centrally and group supporting electronics (flash, crystal with load caps, regulator, reset/boot circuit, USB passives, decoupling capacitors) close to associated IC pins and functional blocks.
      2. Ensure minimal routing distance between the MCU and the top layer controls.
  3. Routing Considerations
    1. Preserve clear routing channels to avoid interference between top and bottom layer components.
    2. Intentionally assign components to both layers to minimize routing distance and avoid overlaps.
    3. Verify that no components extend off-board or violate layer assignment rules.
  4. DRC and Final Review
    1. Run Design Rule Check (DRC) on the PCB layout.
    2. Review and document any remaining overlaps, off-board placements, or layer-assignment issues.
    3. Make necessary adjustments to ensure compliance with design constraints.
#Success criteria
  • The board outline is exactly 100 mm × 100 mm with rounded corners and a correct 4-layer stackup.
  • Top layer contains an accurately positioned macro-keypad grid with corresponding RGB LEDs, rotary encoders, and mounting holes near the corners.
  • Bottom layer houses the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and all supporting electronics in well-defined, functional groups with minimized routing distances.
  • DRC results confirm no overlapping or off-board components and proper layer assignments.
  • All components are intentionally placed and grouped as per the design brief, ensuring optimal usability and manufacturability.
Enforce placement priorities
Run layout review
Set hole clearance
Protect top layout
5 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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