weldearegay / Pico Macro Keyboard AI Placement [Example]

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Pico 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.
6 days

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Plan
#Goal
  • Fresh-place the entire Pico Macro Keyboard PCB from scratch on a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle 4-layer board. The design will feature a clean, user-facing top side with a aligned macro keypad grid of mechanical key switches each with associated per-key RGB LEDs, along with ergonomically placed rotary encoders/user controls. The bottom side will host the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module along with grouped supporting electronics (decoupling, oscillator, power parts) to optimize signal integrity and routing efficiency. Mounting holes near the corners will ensure proper mechanical clearance.
#Implementation plan
  1. Board Setup
    1. Configure the PCB layout to a 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle board with a clean 4-layer stackup.
    2. Define clear routing channels and edge/corner margins.
  2. **Top Side Placement (User Interface)
    1. Place mechanical key switches in a regular, aligned grid, ensuring proper spacing.
    2. Associate each key switch with a corresponding RGB LED, placing LEDs close to the switches.
    3. Add rotary encoders and other user controls near the key grid in ergonomically effective positions.
    4. Insert mounting holes near each board corner, ensuring sufficient clearance from components.
  3. **Bottom Side Placement (MCU and Supporting Electronics)
    1. Place the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module in an optimized location for minimal routing distance to the top layer components.
    2. Group supporting electronics by function:
      1. Cluster decoupling capacitors near associated IC power pins.
      2. Position crystal and load capacitors adjacent to oscillator pins.
      3. Group power handling components to keep the path short and efficient.
  4. Conflict Resolution and Design Review
    1. Review placement to resolve any overlaps, off-board issues, or violations of designated routing channels.
    2. Ensure all components are fully contained within the board outline and maintain proper edge/corner clearance.
    3. Use both layers intentionally, assigning user interface components to the top and MCU/support parts to the bottom.
  5. DRC and Review
    1. Run Design Rule Check (DRC) to identify any remaining issues with overlaps, off-board placements, or incorrect layer assignments.
    2. Document and address any remaining design challenges.
#Success criteria
  • Board outline set to exactly 100 mm × 100 mm rounded-rectangle with proper edge clearance.
  • Clean, well-organized top side with mechanical key switches, per-key RGB LEDs, and ergonomically positioned rotary encoders.
  • Bottom side featuring the Raspberry Pi Pico/MCU module and fully grouped supporting electronics with minimized routing distances.
  • No DRC errors related to overlap, off-board, or layer-assignment issues after review.
Center bottom Pico
Bottom passives only
Clean top priority
Run DRC after
Mounting hole inset
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.

    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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