sabitdos / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico Macro Keyboard PCB Design

sabitdos

sabitdos

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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Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. The design should feature a clean user-facing top side for mechanical key switches arranged in a regular macro-keypad grid with associated RGB LEDs, aesthetically integrated rotary encoders/user controls, and mounting holes near the board corners. The bottom side must house the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module alongside grouped supporting electronics including flash, crystal/oscillator with load caps, regulator/power circuitry, reset/boot circuit, USB support circuitry, and decoupling components placed close to the MCU power pins.
#Implementation plan
  1. Configure Board and Stackup
    1. Set the PCB board size to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle using a 4-layer standard stackup.
    2. Ensure all stackup parameters and layer assignments are set before placement begins.
  2. Top Side Component Placement (User Interface)
    1. Place mechanical key switches in a regular macro-keypad grid with consistent spacing and orientation.
    2. Place associated RGB LEDs close to each key while avoiding overcrowding.
    3. Place rotary encoders and other user control elements in an ergonomic location near the key grid.
    4. Add mounting holes near the board corners ensuring they are clear of controls.
  3. Bottom Side Component Placement (MCU and Support Circuitry)
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module on the bottom side, ensuring minimal routing distance to the top controls.
    2. Group and place supporting electronics by function: flash, crystal/oscillator (with nearby load caps), regulator/power parts, reset/boot circuitry, USB and supporting passive components.
    3. Place decoupling capacitors as close as possible to the corresponding MCU power pins.
  4. Routing Preparation and Channel Preservation
    1. Allocate and preserve routing channels between the top side and bottom side components.
    2. Ensure minimal routing distances between interrelated components (e.g., bottom MCU routing to top switches, LEDs, and encoders).
  5. Design Rule Check (DRC) and Review
    1. Run a complete DRC to identify any overlapping components, off-board placement, or mismatches in layer assignments.
    2. Review the layout based on the DRC report and adjust placements to resolve remaining issues.
#Success criteria
  • The board is a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle with a correct 4-layer stackup.
  • Top side features a uniformly spaced macro-keypad grid with associated RGB LEDs, ergonomic rotary encoders, and clear mounting holes.
  • Bottom side contains the MCU and grouped support circuits with decoupling and oscillator components placed near relevant pins.
  • Routing channels are preserved with minimal interconnection lengths.
  • DRC review confirms no component overlaps, off-board placements, or inappropriate layer assignments.
Protect top side
Bottom passives
Uniform key grid
Encoder ergonomics
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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    creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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