vetals / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Macro Keyboard PCB 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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0:47

Planning PCB Layout.

Thinking deeply about your request.

Creating implementation plan.

Outlining routing plan.

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. This includes a clean, user-facing top side with a regular grid of mechanical key switches, visually paired RGB LEDs, ergonomically placed rotary encoders/user controls, and mounting holes near the board corners. The bottom side will house the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and supporting electronics grouped by function (MCU, flash, oscillator/crystal, power/regulator, reset/boot, USB-support passives, and decoupling) with careful component proximity management (e.g., decoupling near IC power pins, crystal load caps near oscillator pins) while ensuring efficient routing and no component overlap or off-board placement.
#Implementation plan
  1. Configure Board and Stackup
    1. Set the PCB outline to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle.
    2. Configure the board with a standard 4-layer stackup.
  2. Top Side Placement
    1. Place the mechanical key switches in a regular, aligned grid pattern.
    2. Pair each switch with its associated RGB LED while ensuring a clean layout without crowding.
    3. Position the rotary encoders/user controls ergonomically near the macro-keypad grid.
    4. Add mounting holes near the clear corners of the board.
  3. Bottom Side Placement
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module on the bottom side.
    2. Group supporting electronics by function:
      1. Cluster the MCU, flash, oscillator/crystal, and power management parts.
      2. Position decoupling capacitors close to IC power pins.
      3. Place crystal load capacitors near the oscillator pins.
      4. Cluster power parts together.
      5. Group reset/boot and USB support passives appropriately.
  4. Routing and Final Adjustments
    1. Intentionally use both layers to minimize routing distances between the bottom-side MCU and the top-side switches/LEDs/encoders.
    2. Preserve routing channels and resolve overlaps by adjusting component locations as needed.
    3. Ensure all parts are kept within the specified board outline.
    4. Run a DRC/review to ensure there are no layout overlaps, off-board placements, or incorrect layer assignments.
#Success criteria
  • Board outline is exactly 100 mm × 100 mm with rounded corners and 4-layer configuration.
  • Top side components (switches, RGB LEDs, rotary encoders, mounting holes) are cleanly and logically arranged.
  • Bottom side components (Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU and supporting electronics) are grouped by function with placement constraints met (e.g., decoupling and crystal load caps in proper proximity).
  • Routing channels are preserved, and the final layout passes DRC with no overlaps, off-board placements, or layer assignment issues.
Pico USB edge
Set key spacing
Top aesthetics priority
Check extra DRC
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

    Welcome 👋

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