Author Topic: The Living PCB Design Thread  (Read 382481 times)

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Offline ishtob

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #600 on: Fri, 25 August 2017, 22:55:57 »
the resistors between the usb and the MCU should prob be closer to the USB, though in a low speed application like a keyboard it prob won't matter nearly as much.

the resistor and cap ground you go there should be fine.

Offline hasu

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #601 on: Fri, 25 August 2017, 23:36:26 »
the resistors between the usb and the MCU should prob be closer to the USB, though in a low speed application like a keyboard it prob won't matter nearly as much.

the resistor and cap ground you go there should be fine.

Yes, I've saw the resisters placed close to USB receptacle in some keyboard PCBs, not a few.
I'm curious about what theory or reason behind that practice is. Do you know document or something about this?

I found contrary practice in one of Atmel app notes and I've followed this and I place the resisters on D- and D+ line close to MCU in my PCB.
I cannot find the app note now I'll post it here later if I find.

Offline ishtob

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #602 on: Sat, 26 August 2017, 00:06:24 »
 I guess I was under the mistaken impression that this resistor was meant to stop EMI from entering the device, therefor, placing it near the USB connectors made sense.

Looking through some papers online it isn't too much of an issue except for people using parallel terminations.
http://www.ultracad.com/mentor/mentor%20termination%20placement.pdf

Offline dead_pixel_design

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #603 on: Sat, 26 August 2017, 00:25:57 »
Thanks guys! Gonna tune in the screw holes and send it out for prod

Offline hasu

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #604 on: Sat, 26 August 2017, 01:19:54 »
I guess I was under the mistaken impression that this resistor was meant to stop EMI from entering the device, therefor, placing it near the USB connectors made sense.

Looking through some papers online it isn't too much of an issue except for people using parallel terminations.
http://www.ultracad.com/mentor/mentor%20termination%20placement.pdf

Thanks for clarifying.

So simple practice for us hobbyists is:

ESD/EMI protection deivces should be placed near USB receptacle while termination(impedance matcning) resistors should be placed near controller.

We already know empirically that it doesn't matter very much for keyboards, though, this simple design guide will be still helpful for us.


I couldn't find good reference for placement of termination resistors but these docs imply it.

EFM32 USB Hardware Design Guide p.5
https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/application-notes/AN0046.pdf

Atmel High Speed USB Design Guidelines p.3
http://www.atmel.com/images/doc7633.pdf
« Last Edit: Sat, 26 August 2017, 01:21:33 by hasu »

Offline ishtob

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #605 on: Sat, 26 August 2017, 11:44:29 »
I guess I was under the mistaken impression that this resistor was meant to stop EMI from entering the device, therefor, placing it near the USB connectors made sense.

Looking through some papers online it isn't too much of an issue except for people using parallel terminations.
http://www.ultracad.com/mentor/mentor%20termination%20placement.pdf

Thanks for clarifying.

So simple practice for us hobbyists is:

ESD/EMI protection deivces should be placed near USB receptacle while termination(impedance matcning) resistors should be placed near controller.

We already know empirically that it doesn't matter very much for keyboards, though, this simple design guide will be still helpful for us.


I couldn't find good reference for placement of termination resistors but these docs imply it.

EFM32 USB Hardware Design Guide p.5
https://www.silabs.com/documents/public/application-notes/AN0046.pdf

Atmel High Speed USB Design Guidelines p.3
http://www.atmel.com/images/doc7633.pdf

The atmel documentation did specify to have the termination resistor as close to the signal pin as possible (section 2.3)

Thanks for your awesome insight!


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Offline feraphic

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #606 on: Sat, 26 August 2017, 15:44:01 »
Do I need to connect two pads with traces if they're already overlapping each other, or is that just redundant?


Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #607 on: Sat, 26 August 2017, 17:36:06 »
Do I need to connect two pads with traces if they're already overlapping each other, or is that just redundant?
It's redundant because they are already connected, but it doesn't harm  to trace a wire.
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Offline bpiphany

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #608 on: Sun, 27 August 2017, 01:01:53 »
In some cases it may even be bad to create loops like that. Here it won't matter. You may still want to connect them with a short short trace between the center of the pads to let the ERC know they are connected.

And beef up the traces, that just looks silly...

Offline Tiramisuu

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #609 on: Thu, 31 August 2017, 23:50:08 »
Trying to layout my first PCB.

I am doing a very small layout; 26 keys
Going with a 16mm design so the switches will be very close together and using cut-down keycap and/or custom cap.
Planning on using a pro-micro



Installed Kicad and Eagle this evening then started thinking there is probably an easier way than doing everything from scratch... So here I am.

The layout is going to be the similar to a 16MM Edward or a shrunk down Gherkin only the bottom row will be offset 50% and 4 of the keys in the bottom row will be removed.

I can find gerber files for the gherkin and the 16mm Edward but no kicad/eagle project files.

I can create a layout with the keyboard-layout-editor with the layout I want but the wrong switch spacing then try to use kacelerator...   Which doesn't seem to be working properly with Eagle 7.6 or I have to hack something to actually get the scr to run to generate the initial schematic and board.

... I found the gh60 kicad project files ... I could use this as a starting point and then reduce it to my intended design.

I could start with a blank slate and work from tutorials and try to build the design from scratch using the other gerbers and kicad projest as reference.


My object is to end with a working PCB for my custom keyboard rather than learn everything there is to know about creating PCBs. (So quick and easy rather than an educational event)

What is the easy way to get to end of project on this?   


thanks,
T

« Last Edit: Fri, 01 September 2017, 00:21:42 by Tiramisuu »
Keyboard error F1 to continue.

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Offline _haru

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #610 on: Sun, 03 September 2017, 02:53:16 »
Trying to layout my first PCB.

I am doing a very small layout; 26 keys
Going with a 16mm design so the switches will be very close together and using cut-down keycap and/or custom cap.
Planning on using a pro-micro

Show Image


Installed Kicad and Eagle this evening then started thinking there is probably an easier way than doing everything from scratch... So here I am.

The layout is going to be the similar to a 16MM Edward or a shrunk down Gherkin only the bottom row will be offset 50% and 4 of the keys in the bottom row will be removed.

I can find gerber files for the gherkin and the 16mm Edward but no kicad/eagle project files.

I can create a layout with the keyboard-layout-editor with the layout I want but the wrong switch spacing then try to use kacelerator...   Which doesn't seem to be working properly with Eagle 7.6 or I have to hack something to actually get the scr to run to generate the initial schematic and board.

... I found the gh60 kicad project files ... I could use this as a starting point and then reduce it to my intended design.

I could start with a blank slate and work from tutorials and try to build the design from scratch using the other gerbers and kicad projest as reference.


My object is to end with a working PCB for my custom keyboard rather than learn everything there is to know about creating PCBs. (So quick and easy rather than an educational event)

What is the easy way to get to end of project on this?   


thanks,
T

I know I might get a bit of hate for this but if your end goal is to have a working PCB, it might be easier to just etch your own PCB.
AMJ60 - 45g MX White | GH60 Rev. C - Ghost Gateron Blacks | DFK101 - Alps SKCM Cream | Filco Majestouch 2 TKL - 62g Vintage MX Ergo Clear

Offline dead_pixel_design

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #611 on: Thu, 07 September 2017, 05:40:55 »
Does it matter which way caps/resistors are attached? Do they have polarity?

Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #612 on: Thu, 07 September 2017, 06:17:30 »
Does it matter which way caps/resistors are attached? Do they have polarity?
Resistors and ceramic capacitors don't, electrolytic capacitors are polarized.
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Offline jjanssen1

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #613 on: Sat, 09 September 2017, 04:54:30 »
Two key ATTINY85 Osu/Macropad I designed :)

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Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #614 on: Sat, 09 September 2017, 05:44:40 »
Two key ATTINY85 Osu/Macropad I designed :)

Show Image

That looks cool. What are you using it for?
My opensource projects: GH80-3000, TOAD, XMMX. Classified: stuff

Offline jjanssen1

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #615 on: Sat, 09 September 2017, 07:03:55 »
Two key ATTINY85 Osu/Macropad I designed :)

Show Image

That looks cool. What are you using it for?

I will be using it for playing Osu!
IBM Model M 1386303

Offline kamilakas

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #616 on: Wed, 13 September 2017, 11:24:14 »
Hi, guys! I'm bulding my own ergodox for school project as an innovative kbd layout. So, I found all sources of IC's version of ergodox. I have question - if I'll order PCBs and then will solder all the components, will there be an option to flash the keyboard via usb? Or I'll need some kind of programming device for microcontrollers?

Offline yuktsi

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #617 on: Wed, 13 September 2017, 11:42:42 »
Hi, guys! I'm bulding my own ergodox for school project as an innovative kbd layout. So, I found all sources of IC's version of ergodox. I have question - if I'll order PCBs and then will solder all the components, will there be an option to flash the keyboard via usb? Or I'll need some kind of programming device for microcontrollers?
You will need a programmer, at least for the first time. I think.
email: yuktsi@ttggrr.cc

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Offline kamilakas

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #618 on: Wed, 13 September 2017, 11:52:49 »
Hi, guys! I'm bulding my own ergodox for school project as an innovative kbd layout. So, I found all sources of IC's version of ergodox. I have question - if I'll order PCBs and then will solder all the components, will there be an option to flash the keyboard via usb? Or I'll need some kind of programming device for microcontrollers?
You will need a programmer, at least for the first time. I think.
So, PCB have some direct controller outputs. Will I have possibility with this pins?

Offline yuktsi

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #619 on: Wed, 13 September 2017, 12:09:13 »
Hi, guys! I'm bulding my own ergodox for school project as an innovative kbd layout. So, I found all sources of IC's version of ergodox. I have question - if I'll order PCBs and then will solder all the components, will there be an option to flash the keyboard via usb? Or I'll need some kind of programming device for microcontrollers?
You will need a programmer, at least for the first time. I think.
So, PCB have some direct controller outputs. Will I have possibility with this pins?
I've no experience with ergodox, but I think you will need to have connection to the MISO, MOSI, SCK, RESET, VCC and GND
email: yuktsi@ttggrr.cc

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Poker 2 | LZ CE | Leopold FC700R | KMAC 1.2 | EXE | GON NS87 | GON Nerd TKL | Duck Poker | Duck Orion | Realforce 87u 55g | OTD 456GT | LZ B7 | OTD 360C | Ducky G2 Pro | Apple Extended | Apple M0116 | Apple M0116 | Cherry G80-1220HAD | Duck Octagon | HHKB Pro 2 | Duck Unicorn | LZ B8 | LZ RE | ENVKX | OTD 456GT | LZ FE | HHKB Type S | TX1800| Duck Orion V2 | LZ FE | KPad | KMAC Happy | ENVKX | LZ RV | KMAC 2 | Whale | Dolphin | EM7 | TGR Jane | VE.A | DK Saver | Matrix 10xv1.0 | Whale | HHKB BT | Dolphin v2 | EM7 v2 | SSK | SSK (Blue Label) | LZ SQ | Duck Octagon v2 | TX84 | GON Mobik | TX-CP | LZ Ergo2 | KMAC Happy HHKB | TGR 910 | TGR Tris | Matrix 8xv1.2 | KMAC Mini | Mira | Fjell | 356mini | Dolphin GH | EM7 GH | TARO EXENT | Masterkey Pro L Crysta l OTD Koala | Duck Viper | Keycult no.1 | 356mini | 356pad | Matrix 8xv2.0 | 420cl | Matrix 8xv1.0 | Whale Special | Poly Dolphin | Keycult No.2 | FMJ80 | Singa R2 | Whale Poly | 356cl | HBCP | Dolinger | Linger | FMJ80 | KFE

Offline bpiphany

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #620 on: Wed, 13 September 2017, 12:48:09 »
Which microcontroller is it? ATmega32u4? In that case it will come with a bootloader to enable flashing over USB.

Be careful not to get the ATmega32u4RC though. It doesn't come with the loader and will need serial programming.


Found out that it's something completely different.
« Last Edit: Wed, 13 September 2017, 12:55:08 by bpiphany »

Offline hasu

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #621 on: Wed, 13 September 2017, 13:03:29 »
Hi, guys! I'm bulding my own ergodox for school project as an innovative kbd layout. So, I found all sources of IC's version of ergodox. I have question - if I'll order PCBs and then will solder all the components, will there be an option to flash the keyboard via usb? Or I'll need some kind of programming device for microcontrollers?
You will need a programmer, at least for the first time. I think.
So, PCB have some direct controller outputs. Will I have possibility with this pins?
I've no experience with ergodox, but I think you will need to have connection to the MISO, MOSI, SCK, RESET, VCC and GND

Seems like Kinetis K20 series don't have USB bootloader at factory shipment and you have to program it with JTAG, SWD or something. I think I:C use Segger J-Link with Tag-Connect cable via P1 pinouts in their fab but you can find cheaper alternative apparatus. You may want/have to check datasheet and appnotes for checking if pinouts(P3) has pins enough for program and program methods.
https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/application-note/AN4835.pdf
Kinetis K20_72
« Last Edit: Wed, 13 September 2017, 13:07:21 by hasu »

Offline Irlwizard

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #622 on: Wed, 27 September 2017, 21:30:28 »
Found a PCB building guide. Nothing I can personally attempt but some of you might find it useful.

Link: https://github.com/ruiqimao/keyboard-pcb-guide

Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #623 on: Thu, 28 September 2017, 08:51:40 »
I've seen this on quite a few PCBs but I need some help understanding how it works.

179201-0


Those are supposed to be stepped and regular caps lock so they share the same diode.

If the two switch pads are overlapped, how is this not shorting?

My opensource projects: GH80-3000, TOAD, XMMX. Classified: stuff

Offline Tiramisuu

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #624 on: Thu, 28 September 2017, 11:53:58 »
A bit off topic but...

What do you use for staring at PCB's when working on them.

My little plastic 5x monocle lets me squint at a PCB but it won't be terribly comfortable
while placing smd parts with tweezer and cooking them on with a hot air gun.   I should probably buy a little toaster oven as well.

thanks,
t.
Keyboard error F1 to continue.

Poker 2, Gherkin, Lets Split, Planck, Filco

Offline bpiphany

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #625 on: Thu, 28 September 2017, 23:16:25 »
I've seen this on quite a few PCBs but I need some help understanding how it works.

Those are supposed to be stepped and regular caps lock so they share the same diode.

If the two switch pads are overlapped, how is this not shorting?

The diode is probably connected to both the outer pads and the middle pad to the "other side" of the matrix. If the switch pins are A and B, current flows from A-B in one position and B-A in the other, the switch really doesn't care.


What do you use for staring at PCB's when working on them.

I find that the strongest reading glasses (+4) you find at the cheap places is enough for a lot of work. For inspecting stuff where I have a free hand anyway I use a 10X hand held loupe, I don't find that too inconvenient.

You can find "glasses" like these very cheap on ebay as well
« Last Edit: Thu, 28 September 2017, 23:21:10 by bpiphany »

Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #626 on: Fri, 29 September 2017, 02:46:29 »
I've seen this on quite a few PCBs but I need some help understanding how it works.

Those are supposed to be stepped and regular caps lock so they share the same diode.

If the two switch pads are overlapped, how is this not shorting?

The diode is probably connected to both the outer pads and the middle pad to the "other side" of the matrix. If the switch pins are A and B, current flows from A-B in one position and B-A in the other, the switch really doesn't care.
That was so obvious that I feel dumb. Thank you so much for your clarification.
My opensource projects: GH80-3000, TOAD, XMMX. Classified: stuff

Offline Tiramisuu

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #627 on: Fri, 29 September 2017, 16:29:09 »
... and thanks for the help...



V1 is slowly becoming something.
Keyboard error F1 to continue.

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Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #628 on: Fri, 29 September 2017, 16:35:11 »
... and thanks for the help...

Show Image


V1 is slowly becoming something.
So... ALPS or MX?
My opensource projects: GH80-3000, TOAD, XMMX. Classified: stuff

Offline Tiramisuu

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #629 on: Fri, 29 September 2017, 17:00:11 »
... and thanks for the help...

Show Image


V1 is slowly becoming something.
So... ALPS or MX?

MX - Kailh Speed Silvers with custom 15cN springs @ 2MM.   
The speed silvers have a 1.1mm activation point so I am hoping for about 12cN activation.

I may look at the Cherry Speeds as well 1.2mm activation point but I'd like to see if the manufacturing tolerances are better.

...  I'm also going to try the Kailh Low Profile switches on one of the prototypes if they are willing to send me some keycaps.

... I have a gherkin with the gat whites and a planck with the Matias reds here and when my spring order comes in from China I will be trying them on all the different switches here to see how they feel. 

I will be assembling 5 prototypes to send around for steno folks to try so I will likely do 5 different switch configurations for them to try.   The Matias have the advantage of being dead easy to swap springs on but the higher activation point of the speeds and the low profiles with their decreased travel and higher activation points are also appealing.

It is a shame that the newest kailh (2017) low profile switches are't being manufactured in a linear version.

Keycaps wise... I will start with dremelled down G20's but I would love to find a nice solution both for 16mm steno keycap and full size steno keycaps.    Home row position is between the rows in steno and you press many keys at a time (chording) ... So this means a Flat Key to with close edges and enough thickness that it doesn't catch your finger tips is desirable.
 


Keyboard error F1 to continue.

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Offline dr_derivative

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #630 on: Thu, 02 November 2017, 13:05:11 »
Does anyone know where I can find a footprint for SMK 2nd gen switches?

I have a bunch of those switches incoming but I want to be able to start the PCB design before they arrive.
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Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #631 on: Thu, 02 November 2017, 15:04:05 »
Does anyone know where I can find a footprint for SMK 2nd gen switches?

I have a bunch of those switches incoming but I want to be able to start the PCB design before they arrive.
These gentlemen made a 60% PCB for those switches, they are likely to have what you're looking for.
My opensource projects: GH80-3000, TOAD, XMMX. Classified: stuff

Offline _haru

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #632 on: Thu, 02 November 2017, 22:37:14 »
Does anyone know where I can find a footprint for SMK 2nd gen switches?

I have a bunch of those switches incoming but I want to be able to start the PCB design before they arrive.
These gentlemen made a 60% PCB for those switches, they are likely to have what you're looking for.

There's also an XD64/HHKB JP layout version coming with support for SMK and MX switches.
AMJ60 - 45g MX White | GH60 Rev. C - Ghost Gateron Blacks | DFK101 - Alps SKCM Cream | Filco Majestouch 2 TKL - 62g Vintage MX Ergo Clear

Offline dr_derivative

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #633 on: Fri, 03 November 2017, 06:19:12 »
Does anyone know where I can find a footprint for SMK 2nd gen switches?

I have a bunch of those switches incoming but I want to be able to start the PCB design before they arrive.
These gentlemen made a 60% PCB for those switches, they are likely to have what you're looking for.

Thanks, I'll send them a PM
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Offline farhai

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #634 on: Sun, 05 November 2017, 17:41:48 »
sorry sir i want to ask about the atmega32u4

i look the datasheet and there is two variant atmega32u4 and atmega32u4RC
what should i choice?

thanks

Offline bpiphany

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #635 on: Mon, 06 November 2017, 03:16:00 »
sorry sir i want to ask about the atmega32u4

i look the datasheet and there is two variant atmega32u4 and atmega32u4RC
what should i choice?

thanks

The RC version is pre-programmed to use the internal 8MHz oscillator. You most probably don't want that one. You would need a programmer to change the fuse settings to be able to use it (easily) with USB. I also believe the none-RC version is more readily available anyway.

Edit: I forgot that the RC version comes without a bootloader, since it's not intended to be used for USB anyway.
« Last Edit: Tue, 07 November 2017, 02:37:26 by bpiphany »

Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #636 on: Wed, 29 November 2017, 05:50:35 »
Greetings gentlemen, I'm back with some more questions.

I wanna make a snap-off section on a PCB to eventually remove some of the keys and I'm considering using mouse bites rather than a V-groove as I need traces to go across, hence I have some questions in this regard.
1. Is it a bad idea and should I drop it altogether?
2. If not, how large should each hole be and at what distance from each other?
3. Should be traces shrinked across the breaking line for a cleaner cut? I usually use 20 mil for VCC and 12 mil traces for anything else and I though to halve them.

On a different topic; I'd like to understand how SK6812 works. Specifically I'd like to ask:
1. It is my understanding that they can be daisy chained by connecting one's output the next one's input. The DO of the last LED in the series should be left unconnected. Is it right?
2. They are individually addressable so, in theory, they could be used with one pin as LED indicators as one or the other could be left unlit. Correct?
3. Obviously a PWM pin should be used for them, does it matter which one on a m32u4? Any reason for choosing, say, B7 over, say, B6?
4. I've noticed that commercial LED strips have a capacitor next to each LED. This datasheet also uses capacitors on each LED but the value is missing. What should it be?
5. How to deal with the relatively low current provided by the USB port? Say I want to underglow the board with 12 LEDs, do I need a transistor for each LED or just one for the entire series? Which transistor would I choose?

Thank you.
« Last Edit: Wed, 29 November 2017, 05:57:03 by TalkingTree »
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Offline bpiphany

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #637 on: Wed, 29 November 2017, 06:27:45 »
I've never done mouse bites.

I haven't really used SK6812s either, but as far as I can tell
1. Yes, you should be able to leave it unconnected.
2. Yes, you'll only need one controller pin to control all LEDs.
3. No, how would that work? You tell them over the serial protocol what intensity to be.
4. Not too much or you'll break the 10µF limit in the USB specification (remember to add in anything the rest of the board/controller has as well).
5. Do you need to be able to disconnect them completely? Otherwise just tell them to not glow. If you need to supply more current it seems like you can use a separate supply for the LEDs. Make sure the LEDs and the controller share GND though as that is indicated in the datasheet I found from Adafruit. It's a bit unclear what will happen if you put 5V data into the Din pin when there is no supply power applied. The datasheet isn't very well written/translated.

Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #638 on: Wed, 29 November 2017, 07:12:53 »
3. No, how would that work? You tell them over the serial protocol what intensity to be.
Yes, I get that, but would you choose a PWM pin over another PWM or any pin will do as long as it's PWM? (sorry for being redundant).

4. Not too much or you'll break the 10µF limit in the USB specification (remember to add in anything the rest of the board/controller has as well).
Noted. I guess 0.1uF, as found in some diagrams, could work, then.

5. Do you need to be able to disconnect them completely? Otherwise just tell them to not glow.
I'm thinking  to solder them on the board so they won't be disconnected but simply off.

If you need to supply more current it seems like you can use a separate supply for the LEDs. Make sure the LEDs and the controller share GND though as that is indicated in the datasheet I found from Adafruit. It's a bit unclear what will happen if you put 5V data into the Din pin when there is no supply power applied. The datasheet isn't very well written/translated.
I'm not really fond of separate power supply, so I could drop the underglow idea, but I guess a mere three SK6812 as status indicators shouldn't cause any issue.

Thank you.
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Offline bpiphany

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #639 on: Wed, 29 November 2017, 07:25:30 »
How many LEDs are you planning to use? Only the indicators? In that case you shouldn't run into any problems at all. 100×0.1µF is 10µF for a ~full keyboard back lit.

Use any IO-pin for IO, PWM if you need PWM =)

Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #640 on: Wed, 29 November 2017, 07:32:05 »
How many LEDs are you planning to use? Only the indicators? In that case you shouldn't run into any problems at all. 100×0.1µF is 10µF for a ~full keyboard back lit.
Either only two or three indicators or, at best, a dozen on the backside for the underglow.
But since I have enough pins for three discrete status LEDs, I might go for that. I design PCBs better than I write firmwares, which should give you the idea how awful I write codes.

Use any IO-pin for IO, PWM if you need PWM =)
Oh, now I get what you mean. Thanks.
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Offline monkeyplusplus

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #641 on: Mon, 15 January 2018, 16:30:08 »
I recently finished the smd soldering on a board that used a 2-pad crystal, rather than a 4-pad crystal. Personally, the 4-pad crystal is the hardest part of a typical keyboard PCB for me to do by hand, but the 2-pad was a breeze. The board seems to function great, so I'm considering integrating the same device into my plans and ditching the tricky 4-pad component. Does anyone here have experience with these, and knows how they connect vs the usual 4-pad? Here's the component I used: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/1128909

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk


Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #642 on: Tue, 16 January 2018, 03:23:58 »
I use four pads crystals because the seem to be much easier to find. Soldering them could be hard with a soldering iron but it's immensely easy with a hot air gun.

Anyway, your link is dead.
My opensource projects: GH80-3000, TOAD, XMMX. Classified: stuff

Offline monkeyplusplus

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #643 on: Tue, 16 January 2018, 09:18:56 »
Are you sure the link is dead? I just poked it on my phone and it worked. Digikey part number is 644-1037-1-ND.

Octopart link: https://octopart.com/nx5032ga-16.000000mhz-ln-cd-1-ndk-21025276?r=sp&s=ymptYUDzRdimBWE8oHDbPg

I have had some success modifying the footprint of the 4 pad crystal by adding some area to the PCB pads so an iron with a fine tip can get in there,  but then you're using a nonstandard layout. Using hot air for soldering is a new experience for me, but I'd like to try it.

My question is how the 2 pad crystal looks in schematic, if anyone here has that knowledge.

Offline monkeyplusplus

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #644 on: Tue, 16 January 2018, 09:56:48 »
(Side note to people using mobile devices to post via tapatalk - test links on desktop before posting, since some links seem to only work on mobile. Gross.)

Offline monkeyplusplus

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #645 on: Tue, 16 January 2018, 10:25:16 »
Speaking with another forum, they have told me that the method for hooking these 2 pad crystals is basically the same as hooking up a 4 pad crystal with the exception of the additional ground that the 4 pads have. So instead of the center path to ground shown on the schematic shown here, you just have the load caps grounded. I hope that helps anyone else who might want to use one of these components vs the usual 4 pad crystals. :)

Offline meanagray

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #646 on: Wed, 17 January 2018, 06:25:27 »
Hey guys. I am making a protot pcb for my 40% build. Its my first pcb, hence I am starting with a small size and something basic. Promicro + kailh switches.
 One question, I have is, how are DIP switches integrated with the PCB. The firmware logic, especially. My doubt is, if they are put on the switch matrix lines, then, on every polling the closed switches will give out a signal, which essentially mimics a 'HELD down' on a normal key switch.  Then on serial, without any keypress, the bus will still be pinging with the signal from closed DIP switch. 

Offline TalkingTree

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #647 on: Wed, 17 January 2018, 07:33:53 »
how are DIP switches integrated with the PCB.
Unless you have desire to use physical DIP switches, you might wanna use QMK's virtual DIP switches functionality.
My opensource projects: GH80-3000, TOAD, XMMX. Classified: stuff

Offline meanagray

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #648 on: Fri, 19 January 2018, 10:04:05 »
how are DIP switches integrated with the PCB.
Unless you have desire to use physical DIP switches, you might wanna use QMK's virtual DIP switches functionality.


Wow, didn't know that existed ...

Offline sparrows89

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Re: The Living PCB Design Thread
« Reply #649 on: Tue, 27 March 2018, 17:28:07 »
This is my first time trying to design a keyboard PCB, but I have some experience doing small circuits before. I just want to do a bit of a sanity check and see if I've done any easy traps for beginners. I've tried to make all the capacitors close as can be for any VCC pins, as well as keeping every thing short and neat as possible too. I've also done all the placements according to the plate builder's DXF drawing, then aligning centres on both Eagle CAD and Fusion360.



The schematics shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, I looked at the standard schematic and then filled in anything I was missing, like the occilator with a FA-238 package. Most items come from the Adafruit and Sparkfun Eagle CAD library too. I may want to add some WS2812 LEDs as well. I'd assume it's just a case of making power rails with a .1uf to 1uf capacitor at each IC, then a data rail with an appropriate resistor going from the micocontroller?



Finally, it seems like the age old question repeated a few times here, but when purchasing the ATMEGA32U4, it doesn't come with any bootloader, correct? I'll need to use AVR dude or some utility to put it on before I can use the QMK Toolbox?