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v2021.1

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@rgoulter rgoulter released this 24 Feb 11:02
· 769 commits to master since this release
v2021.1
98c762d

PCB: Sub-100x100mm 36-key MiniF4 Split Keyboard

PCB design for a sub-100x100, split, 36-key keyboard using the WeAct Studio MiniF4 "black pill" dev board.

Fabrication Status

  • UPDATE: 2021/03/08: received PCBs for this revision. Upon testing the assembled PCBs, noticed the schematic was accidentally different from rev2020.1.

Changes from rev2020.1

  • MiniF4 footprint now uses zig-zagged column of pins.
  • Changed the layout of the thumb keys.
  • Switch footprint now supports both MX and Choc switches.
  • Added RGB underglow.
  • Added simpler PCB variations (MX-only, Choc-only, with or without RGB lighting).
  • Added Kicad files for bottom plate and switch plate. Holes added in PCB to support M2 spacers and screws.
  • FIX: change the switch/pin assignments per errata noted in rev2020.1. (N.B.: pin assignment different than rev2020.1. Notably, C15 is used for SW_15 and A2 for SW_31. - This does affect e.g. micropython repl, the pin PC15 is always low when the mpconfigboard.h used the RTC, as it does by default i.e. #define MICROPY_HW_ENABLE_RTC (1)).

Errata

  • The design of the circuit for the SK6812mini-e and SK6812 LEDs is invalid. i.e. the RGB LEDs don't work. The VDD the SK6812mini-e receive is from the 3V3 pin. This is insufficient to power the RGB LEDs. The DIN from A0 has the same 3V3 voltage, and so can't reliably signal the series of RGB LEDs.
  • The location for the M2 spacer in the top-right of the PCB (top left for the reverse side) is slightly too high. It would be better if it were equidistant between the switch above/below it.

Files for Switch Plate, Bottom Plate

SVGs for laser-cutting:

  • Switch plate: keyboard-100x100-minif4-plate_top-reversible-Dwgs_User.svg was manually edited in Inkspace after plotting the Dwgs-User layer of the Kicad PCB.
  • Bottom plate: keyboard-100x100-minif4-plate_bottom-reversible-Dwgs_User.svg is the Dwgs-User layer plotted as SVG.

PCB: Soldering Practice PCBs

Small PCBs which can be used to practice soldering the RGB LEDs.

Errata

  • Similar to the mistake in the keyboard PCB: the silkscreen incorrectly labels VDD as 3V3.
  • The arrangement of pins in this design (left to right) is VDD, GND, DIN, DOUT. In Adafruit NeoPixel modules (and clones), the pin layout is GND, VDD, DIN, GND on one end, running straight through to GND, VDD, DOUT, GND. If the same arrangement were used, the same breadboard could be used with both an Adafruit NeoPixel module (as a control) and these soldering practice PCBs.
Assets 2
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