An Open Source keyboard designed for Kailh Low Profile Switches.
This keyboard is meant to be ultra portable, using the Kailh Low Profile switches and a minimalist design. That being said, I wanted to add all the keys that I miss when typing on my 40% and 60% boards, such as arrow keys, Home, End, Delete, Up and Down. I also decided to use USB C as the connector, since I perfer the form factor and flexablility for future designs. The keyboard will be fully customizable through QMK, the software of which will be coming up soon.
- Be portable yet useful
- Have RGB underglow, maybe backlighting?
- Try out different PCB and key layouts for something new and exciting
- Utilize current Kailh Low Profile switches and keycaps
- Add Bluetooth capablilities!
Schematic and PCB design was done in KiCAD. Because I'm lazy, the routing was done by Freerouting.
- ATmega32U4 Datasheet
- PJRC Wiki
- OLKB Basic Schematics
- Used this as a basic reference on how to use the ATmega in the system. Great starting point for figuring out what to Google!
- Kailh Low Profile CAD
- I believe this is still the design of the current switches.
- QMK's handwiring guide
- Helps you understand the basics of keyboard design and the key matrix
- USB C connector pinouts
- Guide to the key matrix
- Great and informative guide to keyboard design
- Featherwing ATmega32u4 with BLE
- MCP23008 I2C GPIO Expander
- Max keyboard key size chart
- Bunch of keyboard parts
- Featherwing KiCAD Model
- Use the bottom one
After making the schematic and layout for V0.1, I decided to change the components to thru-hole and use a micro-controller for
easier soldering and assembly. The other reason is because of the Featherwing ATMega32u4 with BLE support. This has a handle
LiPo charging circuit and BLE support for most devices, specifically mobile. For some computers a converter may be needed.
However, in order to make this work, I had to add a GPIO expander, since most of the pins on the Featherwing are needed for
other functions, such as the Bluetooth and charging. The expander talks via I2C and is addressed at 000. This expander also
allows for the RGB underglow I wanted to include. Now, it's on to fabrication and software!
I hope that by keeping this project Open Source, other designers can use my work as a base to get up and running quickly. Feel free to use my notes and ideas, but please adhere to the Open Hardware License.
Enjoy!