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geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: bogomips on Thu, 10 March 2022, 21:05:31

Title: Want to design a Bluetooth KB (nRF...?) - Where to start?
Post by: bogomips on Thu, 10 March 2022, 21:05:31

Hi guys

I want to design a wireless macropad. With battery, and bluetooth module (nordic semicon nRF module I think).

I have experience with 32u4s, DFU, QMK, and circuit design.

I'm missing details on:
* Which nRF module to use? (best?)
* Circuit for safe battery management (lipo)
* KB firmware for nRF module (obviously it's not going to run QMK, and I don't want to reinvent the wheel)
* How to flash the nRF modules? Do I need one of their devkits?

There are open source keyboard designs out there, making use of some (all) of these elements...

I would like to study some of these designs to learn how to make my own.
Where is a good starting point? Any open source boards which you think are worth a look?

Are there any tutorials out there that might be relevant?

Thank you sincerely :)

Title: Re: Want to design a Bluetooth KB (nRF...?) - Where to start?
Post by: nevin on Thu, 10 March 2022, 23:39:54

check out applet's wonderful project
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=109628.msg2980574#msg2980574

as well as nice nano
https://nicekeyboards.com/nice-nano/

just about any DIY wireless keyboard is running ZMK a wireless fork of QMK (some features haven't been ported yet, but it's the best we have so far)
https://github.com/zmkfirmware/zmk
https://zmk.dev/

Title: Re: Want to design a Bluetooth KB (nRF...?) - Where to start?
Post by: smollchungus on Mon, 28 March 2022, 07:18:36

Apart from all the above, i would like to add this as well, the guide helped me a lot

https://github.com/ebastler/zmk-designguide

Title: Re: Want to design a Bluetooth KB (nRF...?) - Where to start?
Post by: nevin on Mon, 28 March 2022, 07:33:41

thanks @smollchungus