m4dv1lln / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard PCB Design

m4dv1lln

m4dv1lln

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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Planning setup details.

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Creating execution plan.

Drafting placement plan.

Finalizing placement details.

I've made a plan and started work on it.
Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB design on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. The design must have a clean, user-facing top side with a regular aligned macro-keypad grid for mechanical switches and visually associated RGB LEDs, along with ergonomically positioned rotary encoders and user controls. The bottom side should consolidate the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module with supporting electronics grouped by function (MCU, flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power, reset/boot, USB support passives, and decoupling) with proper placement of decoupling near IC power pins and crystal/load caps near oscillator pins, while ensuring power components are clustered and routing distances to top components are minimized.
#Implementation plan
  1. Board Setup
    1. Configure the PCB layout with a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle board outline and set a standard 4-layer stackup.
  2. Component Placement – Top Side
    1. Place mechanical switches in a regular, aligned macro-keypad grid ensuring minimal clutter.
    2. Place RGB LEDs associated with each switch ensuring visual clarity without crowding.
    3. Position rotary encoders and any additional user controls in an ergonomic location near the key grid.
    4. Insert mounting holes near the board corners while maintaining adequate clearance.
  3. Component Placement – Bottom Side
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module on the bottom side.
    2. Group supporting electronics by function: MCU, flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power, reset/boot, USB support passives, and decoupling.
    3. Ensure decoupling components are placed close to the IC power pins and position crystal/load capacitors near oscillator pins.
    4. Cluster power components and minimize routing distances to the top switches, LEDs and encoders, placing supporting passives preferentially on the bottom side.
  4. Finalize Placement and Reviews
    1. Resolve any overlaps, off-board placements, or layer assignment issues while preserving clear routing channels.
    2. Perform a Design Rule Check (DRC) and layout review to identify and report any remaining issues pertaining to overlaps, off-board elements or improper layer assignments.
#Success criteria
  • The board outline and stackup are accurately configured to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board.
  • Mechanical switches, RGB LEDs, rotary encoders, and user controls are perfectly placed on the top side following the ergonomic and visual guidelines.
  • The Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and supporting electronics are correctly grouped and placed on the bottom side with proper proximity for decoupling and crystal connections.
  • All overlapping or off-board issues are resolved, maintaining clean routing channels on both layers, confirmed by a successful DRC review and report of any minor issues that remain.
Set USB edge
Protect top side
Shorten matrix routes
Run DRC check
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.

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