marwannheli / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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PCB Design for Macro Keyboard

marwannheli

marwannheli

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.
2 days

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Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB on a 100 mm x 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board, preserving a clean top side for mechanical key switches in a macro-keypad grid with per-key LEDs and user-facing rotary encoders, while grouping the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and supporting electronics (flash, crystal/oscillator, regulator/power, reset/boot, USB/support passives, and decoupling components) on the bottom side for minimized routing distances, optimal grouping, and efficient routing.
#Implementation plan
  1. Configure PCB layout and board dimensions
    1. Set up a new 4-layer PCB with a 100 mm x 100 mm rounded-rectangle outline in the layout tool.
    2. Define layer priorities: top side for user interface components (switches, RGB LEDs, rotary encoders, mounting holes) and bottom side for the Pico/MCU module and support circuits.
  2. Component placement on the top side
    1. Place mechanical key switches in a regular macro-keypad grid.
    2. Place per-key RGB LEDs visually linked to each switch.
    3. Position rotary encoders and other user-facing controls ergonomically near the key grid.
    4. Add mounting holes near clear board corners.
  3. Component placement on the bottom side
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and group supporting electronics by function:
      1. Place the pico module and flash component close together.
      2. Group the crystal/oscillator with its load capacitors nearby on the relevant pins.
      3. Cluster the regulator and power components together with proximity to the MCU power inputs.
      4. Place reset/boot circuitry and USB passives grouped with the MCU.
      5. Position decoupling capacitors strategically close to their associated IC power pins.
    2. Prefer moving support passives to the bottom where possible.
    3. Minimize routing distance between the bottom MCU and top switches, LEDs, and encoders.
  4. Overlap and routing channel management
    1. Check for overlaps or off-board placements and resolve them by adjusting component positions, preserving routing channels.
    2. Implement functional grouping to support neat and minimal routing paths.
  5. Design review and DRC
    1. Run Design Rule Check (DRC) to ensure clearance, overlap, and layer assignment issues are resolved.
    2. Review any remaining placement issues and confirm that all components meet the required placement constraints.
#Success criteria
  • PCB board is set as a 100 mm x 100 mm rounded rectangle with a 4-layer stackup.
  • Desktop side has a dedicated, clean user interface section with a macro-keypad grid, per-key RGB LEDs, rotary encoders, and mounting holes.
  • Bottom side contains the Pico/MCU module and grouped supporting electronics with minimized routing paths and proper component proximities.
  • All placement overlaps and off-board issues are resolved, and DRC reports acceptable compliance for production-ready layout.
Prioritize top controls
Limit bottom parts
Run placement review
Mounting hole clearance
2 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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