1.3.1

Release Notes - November 30, 2025

Summary

This release focuses on Split Keyboard Communication Stability and RGB Synchronization Fix. The update resolves issues where the slave keyboard stops responding during LED effect switching on Iris CE, and RGB effects become out of sync after watchdog recovery. Key fixes include power consumption limits, split watchdog for automatic recovery, SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR for matrix state synchronization, and removal of framebuffer effects (TYPING_HEATMAP, DIGITAL_RAIN). Reactive effects are restored and work with SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR. Important: Both halves must be flashed with identical firmware.

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Key Changes

1. Split Keyboard Communication Stability 🔧

Problem Solved: When switching LED effects on Iris CE split keyboard, the slave (right) half would stop responding entirely. After watchdog recovery, RGB effects were out of sync between halves.

Root Cause Analysis:

1. Power Overconsumption: RGB Matrix brightness at 120 (default) draws excessive current during effect transitions
2. Communication Overload: Three duplicate RM_NEXT keys in _BOTH_UNDER layer triggered simultaneous effect changes
3. No Recovery Mechanism: Split watchdog was disabled, preventing automatic recovery from communication failures
4. Framebuffer Effects Not Synced: TYPING_HEATMAP and DIGITAL_RAIN use g_rgb_frame_buffer which is NOT synchronized between split halves
5. Reactive Effects Require Keypress Position: SOLID_REACTIVE_*, SPLASH effects need keypress position info from both halves

Solution Implemented:

config.h Changes:

// Split Keyboard Stability Settings
#define SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR              // Mirror master's matrix state to slave
#undef RGB_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS
#define RGB_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS 100   // Reduced from 120 to limit power consumption
#define SPLIT_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT 3000         // Auto-recovery after 3 seconds of communication loss

// Removed framebuffer effects (g_rgb_frame_buffer not synced):
// - TYPING_HEATMAP, DIGITAL_RAIN

// Reactive effects restored (work with SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR):
// - SOLID_REACTIVE_SIMPLE, SOLID_REACTIVE, SOLID_REACTIVE_WIDE
// - SOLID_REACTIVE_CROSS, SOLID_REACTIVE_NEXUS, SPLASH, SOLID_SPLASH

rules.mk Changes:

SPLIT_WATCHDOG_ENABLE = yes  # Enable automatic recovery from communication failures

keymap.c Changes:

• Removed duplicate RM_NEXT keys from _BOTH_UNDER layer (3 → 1)
• Kept single RM_NEXT at top-left position (ESC key location)

Technical Details:

Setting	Before	After	Impact
RGB_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS	120	100	~17% power reduction
SPLIT_WATCHDOG_ENABLE	no	yes	Auto-recovery enabled
SPLIT_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT	N/A	3000ms	3-second recovery window
SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR	no	yes	Matrix state synchronization
RM_NEXT keys in _BOTH_UNDER	3	1	Reduced communication load
RGB Matrix effects	30	28	Framebuffer effects removed, Reactive restored

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2. Firmware Size Optimization 📦

Current Build Statistics:

• Firmware Size: 27,076 / 28,672 bytes (94%)
• Free Space: 1,596 bytes
• Improvement: From 98% to 94% utilization

Optimizations Applied:

Optimization	Impact
CONSOLE_ENABLE = no	~1,000-1,500 bytes saved
const → #define conversion	Minor savings
RGB Matrix effects: 45 → 28	Significant savings
SPLIT_WATCHDOG_ENABLE = yes	Minimal overhead added
SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR	+86 bytes for matrix sync

RGB Matrix Effects (28 Enabled):

• Basic (5): Solid Color, Alpha Mods, Gradient Up/Down, Gradient Left/Right, Breathing
• Cycle (8): All, Left/Right, Up/Down, Out/In, Out/In Dual, Pinwheel, Spiral, Rainbow Moving Chevron
• Hue (3): Breathing, Pendulum, Wave
• Special (5): Raindrops, Jellybean Raindrops, Pixel Rain, Pixel Flow, Pixel Fractal
• Reactive (7): Solid Reactive (Simple, Standard, Wide, Cross, Nexus), Splash, Solid Splash

Removed Effects (Split Sync Issues):

• TYPING_HEATMAP, DIGITAL_RAIN (g_rgb_frame_buffer not synced between halves)

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3. Layer 3 (_BOTH_UNDER) Layout Update 🎹

Before (3 RM_NEXT keys):

┌────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┐
│RM_NEXT │ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│
├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
│KC_LPRN │KC_RPRN │ KC_EQL │ KC_GT  │KC_LCBR │KC_RCBR │
├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
│ _______│ _______│KC_MINS │ KC_GT  │ _______│ _______│
├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┐
│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│
└────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┘

        ┌────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┐
        │RM_NEXT │ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│QK_BOOT │  ← Was RM_NEXT
        ├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
        │ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│
        ├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
        │ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│
┌────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│RM_NEXT │ _______│  ← Was RM_NEXT
└────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┘

After (1 RM_NEXT key):

┌────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┐
│RM_NEXT │ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│  ← Single RM_NEXT
├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
│KC_LPRN │KC_RPRN │ KC_EQL │ KC_GT  │KC_LCBR │KC_RCBR │
├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
│ _______│ _______│KC_MINS │ KC_GT  │ _______│ _______│
├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┐
│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│
└────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┘

        ┌────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┬────────┐
        │ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│QK_BOOT │  ← Now _______
        ├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
        │ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│
        ├────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
        │ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│
┌────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┼────────┤
│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│ _______│  ← Now _______
└────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┴────────┘

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Technical Specifications

Platform Support

• ✅ Iris Rev7 (ATmega32u4): HEX file output
• ✅ Iris CE Rev1 (RP2040): UF2 file output

Build Specifications

• Firmware Size: 27,004 / 28,672 bytes (94%)
• Free Space: 1,668 bytes
• QMK Version: Compatible with QMK 0.24.0+

Configuration Changes Summary

config.h:

#pragma once

// Split Keyboard Stability Settings
#define SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR              // Matrix state sync
#undef RGB_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS
#define RGB_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS 100
#define SPLIT_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT 3000

// RGB Matrix Effects (21 total)
// Basic (5), Cycle (8), Hue (3), Special (5)
// Removed: Framebuffer effects, Reactive effects

rules.mk:

SPLIT_WATCHDOG_ENABLE = yes  # Auto-recovery from communication failures

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Build Commands

# Iris Rev7 (ATmega32u4 - HEX file)
qmk compile -kb keebio/iris/rev7 -km zerodice0

# Iris CE Rev1 (RP2040 - UF2 file)
qmk compile -kb keebio/iris_ce/rev1 -km zerodice0

Flash Firmware

# Rev7
qmk flash -kb keebio/iris/rev7 -km zerodice0

# CE Rev1 - Copy UF2 to RPI-RP2 drive

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Testing Guide

Split Keyboard Stability Test

1. Flash firmware to both keyboard halves
2. Connect keyboard via USB
3. Rapidly switch LED effects using RM_NEXT key (FN1 + FN2 + ESC)
4. Verify slave keyboard remains responsive
5. If communication drops, wait 3 seconds for auto-recovery

Verification Checklist

• LED effects switch smoothly on both halves
• Slave keyboard responds to keypresses after effect changes
• No cable reconnection required during normal use
• Auto-recovery works after intentional cable disconnect/reconnect

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Migration Guide

From Previous Version

No Breaking Changes: All existing functionality preserved.

New Behavior:

• RGB brightness reduced from 120 to 100 (slightly dimmer, more stable)
• Split watchdog enables automatic recovery from communication failures
• Single RM_NEXT key in _BOTH_UNDER layer (top-left position)

Testing Recommendations:

1. Test LED effect switching extensively
2. Verify both halves respond during effect transitions
3. Test communication recovery by briefly disconnecting/reconnecting cable

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Known Issues & Limitations

Resolved Issues

• ✅ Slave keyboard unresponsive during LED effect switching: Fixed with brightness limit + watchdog + RM_NEXT deduplication
• ✅ RGB sync broken after watchdog recovery: Fixed with SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR + removal of sync-problematic effects

Current Limitations

• ℹ️ Brightness reduced: RGB effects are ~17% dimmer for stability
• ℹ️ Single RM_NEXT key: Effect switching now only from left-hand side (FN1 + FN2 + ESC)
• ℹ️ Reduced effect count: 21 effects (Framebuffer/Reactive effects removed)
  • Removed: TYPING_HEATMAP, DIGITAL_RAIN, all SOLID_REACTIVE_*, SPLASH, SOLID_SPLASH

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요약

이 릴리즈는 Split 키보드 통신 안정성 개선과 RGB 동기화 문제 해결에 중점을 둡니다. Iris CE에서 LED 효과 전환 시 slave 키보드가 응답하지 않고, watchdog 복구 후 RGB 싱크가 맞지 않는 문제를 해결했습니다. 전력 소비 제한, split watchdog, SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR 활성화, 그리고 framebuffer 효과(TYPING_HEATMAP, DIGITAL_RAIN)를 제거했습니다. 반응형 효과는 SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR로 동작합니다. 중요: 양쪽 키보드 모두 동일한 펌웨어 플래시 필수.

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주요 변경사항

1. Split 키보드 통신 안정성 🔧

해결된 문제: Iris CE split 키보드에서 LED 효과를 전환할 때 slave(오른쪽) 절반이 완전히 응답하지 않았습니다. 키보드 케이블을 물리적으로 재연결하기 전까지 문제가 지속되었습니다.

근본 원인 분석:

1. 전력 과다 소비: RGB Matrix 밝기 120(기본값)이 효과 전환 중 과도한 전류 소비
2. 통신 과부하: _BOTH_UNDER 레이어의 3개 중복 RM_NEXT 키가 동시 효과 변경 트리거
3. 복구 메커니즘 없음: Split watchdog이 비활성화되어 통신 실패 시 자동 복구 불가

구현된 해결책:

설정	이전	이후	영향
RGB_MATRIX_MAXIMUM_BRIGHTNESS	120	100	~17% 전력 감소
SPLIT_WATCHDOG_ENABLE	no	yes	자동 복구 활성화
SPLIT_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT	N/A	3000ms	3초 복구 창
SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR	no	yes	매트릭스 상태 동기화
_BOTH_UNDER의 RM_NEXT 키	3개	1개	통신 부하 감소
RGB Matrix 효과	30개	28개	Framebuffer 제거, Reactive 복원

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2. 펌웨어 용량 최적화 📦

현재 빌드 통계:

• 펌웨어 크기: 27,076 / 28,672 bytes (94%)
• 여유 공간: 1,596 bytes
• 개선: 98%에서 94% 사용률로 감소

적용된 최적화:

최적화	효과
CONSOLE_ENABLE = no	~1,000-1,500 bytes 절감
const → #define 변환	소폭 절감
RGB Matrix 효과: 45 → 28	상당한 절감
SPLIT_WATCHDOG_ENABLE = yes	최소 오버헤드 추가
SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR	+86 bytes (매트릭스 동기화)

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3. 레이어 3 (_BOTH_UNDER) 레이아웃 업데이트 🎹

• RM_NEXT 키 3개에서 1개로 감소
• 단일 RM_NEXT 키는 왼쪽 상단 위치 (ESC 키 위치)에 유지

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테스트 가이드

Split 키보드 안정성 테스트

1. 양쪽 키보드 절반에 펌웨어 플래시
2. USB로 키보드 연결
3. RM_NEXT 키 (FN1 + FN2 + ESC)로 LED 효과 빠르게 전환
4. slave 키보드가 응답을 유지하는지 확인
5. 통신이 끊어지면 자동 복구를 위해 3초 대기

확인 체크리스트

• LED 효과가 양쪽에서 부드럽게 전환됨
• 효과 변경 후 slave 키보드가 키 입력에 응답함
• 정상 사용 중 케이블 재연결이 필요 없음
• 의도적인 케이블 분리/재연결 후 자동 복구 작동

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알려진 문제 및 제한사항

해결된 문제

• ✅ LED 효과 전환 중 slave 키보드 무응답: 밝기 제한 + watchdog + RM_NEXT 중복 제거로 해결
• ✅ watchdog 복구 후 RGB 싱크 깨짐: SPLIT_TRANSPORT_MIRROR 추가 + 동기화 문제 효과 제거

현재 제한사항

• ℹ️ 밝기 감소: RGB 효과가 안정성을 위해 ~17% 어두워짐
• ℹ️ 단일 RM_NEXT 키: 효과 전환은 이제 왼손 쪽에서만 가능 (FN1 + FN2 + ESC)
• ℹ️ 효과 수 감소: 21개 효과 (Framebuffer/Reactive 효과 제거)
  • 제거됨: TYPING_HEATMAP, DIGITAL_RAIN, 모든 SOLID_REACTIVE_*, SPLASH, SOLID_SPLASH