Author Topic: [IC] 𝝅60 - a RP2040 powered 60% PCB (Read 10922 times)

jb1830 · « **on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 12:50:36 »

Hi GH!

As some of you may know I run 1upkeyboards.com. We are probably best known for our 1up HSE PCB which was the first mass-produced USB-C hotswap 60% board to support QMK and VIA.

The 1up HSE PCB has been in need of a refresh for some time now and with the push towards RP2040 chips, Ziptyze and I have been working on an RP2040-powered replacement.

I’d like to introduce you to the ~~60𝝅 (60pi)~~ 𝝅60 (pi60) an RP2040 powered 60% PCB.

This particular version is the 60𝝅RGB. A hotswap RGB 60% board. Some of its features are:

Poker style mount
RP2040 with 16Mbit memory
Kailh V2 Hot swap sockets
Per Key RGB lighting
USB type C port
ESD protection
i2c Qwiic breakout connector
Green PCB with "inverted" black silk screen

This PCB is designed to work with the 2040 QMK fork currently in development, as well as KMK, and Peg firmwares. You can also just use CircuitPython for full control if you wish.

We have plans to release a standard 60𝝅 that will be an underglow version and potentially O-Ring mount compatibility for Bakeneko style cases if there is enough demand. We also plan on doing multiple sizes including 65𝝅, TKL𝝅, and 100𝝅.

Since this is a fresh opportunity we wanted to have an IC and see what the community thinks of the design, as well as any suggestions or feature requests.

Edits:
6/22/22 - ZMK support for RP2040 is also in the works.
6/28/22 - Updated name from 60𝝅 to 𝝅60.
7/11/22 - Update post introducing names for the 2 versions being created: The 𝝅60RGB and the 𝝅60HSE.

dededecline · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:02:05 »

If it’s going to be a forced single layout I think Tsangan would probably be preferred over ANSI

jb1830 · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:10:23 »

Thanks for the suggestion.

We have a Tsangan version of our current hotswap board and the ANSI outsells it 10 to 1, so it might not make sense to make it the first design we release. We will likely do a multi-layout hotswap for the underglow version down the line and if there is enough interest on a full RGB Tsangan then we might run it as a group buy/preorder.

Rafa_n · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:25:08 »

what's the advantage of using RP2040 ?

jb1830 · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:28:50 »

Quote from: Rafa_n on Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:25:08

what's the advantage of using RP2040 ?

First and foremost price and availability. The Atmel 32u4 supply has remained low and prices are high. This combined with the fact that the RP2040 is a much more powerful chip at a lower price point, makes the 2040 a clear step forward for customs.

ziptyze · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:46:48 »

Quote from: jb1830 on Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:28:50

Quote from: Rafa_n on Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:25:08
what's the advantage of using RP2040 ?

First and foremost price and availability. The Atmel 32u4 supply has remained low and prices are high. This combined with the fact that the RP2040 is a much more powerful chip at a lower price point, makes the 2040 a clear step forward for customs.

Adding to this, there is a huge advantage with the amount storage and number of IO pins as well. Boards using atmel chips are severely limited by the amount of storage on the board. Often times you have to pick and choose high level features, and there are limits on the number of addressable leds you can control. If you need it, you can go up to 16MB with the rp2040, as opposed to 128-256KB with atmel controllers. Additionally there are 30 gpio pins on the rp2040, as opposed to 25 on the 32u4 which is one of the most common controllers currently used. It may not seem like a huge difference, but even a few more pins can mean extras like encoders and displays without sacrificing the number of keys.

Darth_munkee · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:51:07 »

More RP2040 based boards is a good thing for sure, but the name feels cumbersome to say if I'm being honest. It feels like pi60 would flow better.

Findecanor · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 14:03:10 »

I'll call it 188.49555921538757 ... even though that will never be entirely accurate

jb1830 · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 14:04:07 »

Quote from: Darth_munkee on Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:51:07

More RP2040 based boards is a good thing for sure, but the name feels cumbersome to say if I'm being honest. It feels like pi60 would flow better.

Yea this is something that I was debating. I like the idea of using the 𝝅 symbol but don't think it works as good if its in front of the number. I may decide to change it soon as it does indeed rolls off the tongue a little better.

jb1830 · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 14:05:55 »

Quote from: Findecanor on Wed, 22 June 2022, 14:03:10

I'll call it 188.49555921538757

Same but different

Lysol_ · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 14:43:42 »

wish it was using the h60 JST location at least but I digress. cool to see more PCBs that use this chip coming out. i should start to get to work on my own.

ziptyze · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 22 June 2022, 15:03:04 »

Quote from: Lysol_ on Wed, 22 June 2022, 14:43:42

wish it was using the h60 JST location at least but I digress. cool to see more PCBs that use this chip coming out. i should start to get to work on my own.

The jumper for ours isn't for a USB daughterboard, but more for i2c accessories like qwicc connect devices. Future gasket-mount versions will probably have an additional one in a location that makes more sense for the daughterboard

Necrolegion · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 23 June 2022, 20:22:09 »

Quote from: dededecline on Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:02:05

If it’s going to be a forced single layout I think Tsangan would probably be preferred over ANSI

I 2nd this. Standard ANSI is so limiting, plus it has no symmetry. Would prefer Tsangan or more layout options.

jb1830 · « **Reply #13 on:** Sat, 25 June 2022, 18:26:26 »

Quote from: Necrolegion on Thu, 23 June 2022, 20:22:09

Quote from: dededecline on Wed, 22 June 2022, 13:02:05
If it’s going to be a forced single layout I think Tsangan would probably be preferred over ANSI

I 2nd this. Standard ANSI is so limiting, plus it has no symmetry. Would prefer Tsangan or more layout options.

Like I mentioned previously this would have to be done as a separate board. Either a Tsangan only hot swap version or a multi-layout solder board.

mechendev · « **Reply #14 on:** Sat, 25 June 2022, 19:35:18 »

This is exciting, looking forward to it. No suggestions, just encouraging the idea.

treeleaf64 · « **Reply #15 on:** Sun, 26 June 2022, 11:28:12 »

Pet pet

Rob27shred · « **Reply #16 on:** Sun, 26 June 2022, 11:52:40 »

Awesome to see the HSE PCBs getting a refresh! +1 for south facing LEDs! I personally would also like to see a Tsangan version, but from what JB said it seems like us Tsangan users are a vocal minority. Any chance we get a version with some flex cuts or a solder version? I know the HSE PCBs probably sell better, but your guys 60% solder PCB could benefit from a refresh as well.

jb1830 · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 27 June 2022, 09:30:17 »

Quote from: Rob27shred on Sun, 26 June 2022, 11:52:40

Awesome to see the HSE PCBs getting a refresh! +1 for south facing LEDs! I personally would also like to see a Tsangan version, but from what JB said it seems like us Tsangan users are a vocal minority. Any chance we get a version with some flex cuts or a solder version? I know the HSE PCBs probably sell better, but your guys 60% solder PCB could benefit from a refresh as well.

Yea the plan is to do a solder multi-layout version and all likelihood we will have a Tsangan version after the first batch of the ANSI.

We have a few flex-cut designs in the bag as well that need to be ported for 2040, these were supposed to be 32u4 but not sure if it's worth it at the moment. You can take a peek here https://imgur.com/a/4e10Xjl

jb1830 · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 28 June 2022, 14:01:57 »

Flipped the order of the name around. A couple people reached out and said it made more sense so we are now moving forward with 𝝅60 and this naming convention (𝝅#) will stick for our other layouts.

Rob27shred · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 28 June 2022, 17:15:41 »

Quote from: jb1830 on Mon, 27 June 2022, 09:30:17

Quote from: Rob27shred on Sun, 26 June 2022, 11:52:40
Awesome to see the HSE PCBs getting a refresh! +1 for south facing LEDs! I personally would also like to see a Tsangan version, but from what JB said it seems like us Tsangan users are a vocal minority. Any chance we get a version with some flex cuts or a solder version? I know the HSE PCBs probably sell better, but your guys 60% solder PCB could benefit from a refresh as well.

Yea the plan is to do a solder multi-layout version and all likelihood we will have a Tsangan version after the first batch of the ANSI.

We have a few flex-cut designs in the bag as well that need to be ported for 2040, these were supposed to be 32u4 but not sure if it's worth it at the moment. You can take a peek here https://imgur.com/a/4e10Xjl

Very nice, I'll definitely grab a few of those solder PCBs with or without the flex cuts (although flex cuts would be my personal preference). Also will most likely grab at least one of the Tsangan HSE PCBs when you guys get to them.

cosmo10292 · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 05 July 2022, 11:26:32 »

I was beginning to look at PCBs for my NOM60 and this should be perfect! Id also prefer flex cuts but that isnt a deal breaker either.

jb1830 · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 11 July 2022, 12:38:39 »

So new update to this. As we continue work and develop the ideas further we will now have 2 separate PCBs launching for this.

The one in the OP which will be known as the 𝝅60RGB. The 𝝅60RGB will be Hotswap and have per-key RGB lighting in an ANSI layout.

And now introducing the 𝝅60HSE. The 𝝅60HSE will be a true replacement for our 1up HSE and 1up HTE Atmel powered boards. We have combined both the ANSI and Tsangan layout into a single hotswap board that does away with the per key lighting and offers Underglow RGB lighting.

jb1830 · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 27 July 2022, 18:21:25 »

We are almost there! Prototypes are getting ordered sometime in the next week.

Barring any last minute changes these are our 2 upcoming RP2040 powered PCBs.

The 𝝅60RGB - RP2040 powered 60% ANSI PCB with hot swaps and per-key RGB.

The 𝝅60HSE - RP2040 powered 60% multilayout hot swap board (ANSI + Tsangan) with underglow.

Once the prototypes arrive and are tested we will be moving to the GB/Preorder phase with an expected release date in September!

jb1830 · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 05 September 2022, 12:53:47 »

Prototype pictures for the pi60HSE version are here!
This version has underglow and support for ANSI and Tsangan with Kailh hotswap sockets.

There is currently a shortage of the per key RGB LEDs. So we are waiting on those to be back in stock before protos are ready but still hopefully within a month.

nightdriver · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 09 September 2022, 14:00:32 »

any chance we can get stepped capslock support on the tsangan version? that's my one major complaint about the 1up HTE i'm typing on now!

pixelpusher · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 09 September 2022, 15:56:55 »

Quote from: nightdriver on Fri, 09 September 2022, 14:00:32

any chance we can get stepped capslock support on the tsangan version? that's my one major complaint about the 1up HTE i'm typing on now!

It has stepped caps lock support. See the photo above

I had not followed this thread but I just saw this on the 1up discord server. Nifty!

jb1830 · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 02 November 2022, 11:42:47 »

As a quick update both the pi60HSE and pi60RGB have launched and can be found at the links below.

pi60HSE - Multi layout Hot Swap with Underglow: https://1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/1upkeyboards-pi60hse-60-pcb/
pi60RGB - ANSI layout with per key RGB: https://1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/1upkeyboards-pi60rgb-60-pcb/

The last version of the pi60 will be a solder board that supports a ton of different layouts, underglow, USB daughterboard , and o-ring mounting.

This is what the pi60 PCB currently looks like as well as the supported layouts:

Front

Back

Layouts

We are hoping to have these ready before the end of the year and will likely be offering a plate kit for budget builds.

News:

Author Topic: [IC] 𝝅60 - a RP2040 powered 60% PCB (Read 10922 times)