Chesters-Keyboard

Fern518·Chesters-Keyboard·PCB/keyboard.kicad_pcb

About the Chesters-Keyboard PCB

Chesters-Keyboard is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by Fern518, published on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board measuring 358.1 × 123.2 mm, with 171 components from 19 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the Pico, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. By type, the board carries 85 diodes, 13 fuses, 2 ICs, 2 modules, 2 crystals and 2 connectors.

It belongs with the displays & leds and keyboards designs in this gallery.

From the project

A custom build keyboard with an OLED display that shows the current track, and a rotary encoder to control volume and play/pause

It functions as a miniature media dashboard: the display shows the current track (TO BE IMPLEMENTED), the knob controls volume, and the six keys can be bound to any shortcut.

It has 2 separate printed pieces. The base, where the PCB sits, and the top cover, which protects the PCB.

Chesters-Keyboard, from the project README — From the project README

Main components on the Chesters-Keyboard

Pico

Chesters-Keyboard bill of materials (BOM)

171 components, 19 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
1	Pico	RPi_Pico_SMD_TH	U1
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	U2
2	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	A1, M1
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	Q1
2	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	X1, Y1
2	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	J1, P1
55	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	ALT1, B1, BACKSPACE1, BSLASH1, CAPS1, CBRACKET1, COLON1, COMMA1 +47
13	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8 +5
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	H1
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	K1
1	Conn_01x04	PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical	OLED DISPLAY1
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	S1
1	RotaryEncoder_Switch	RotaryEncoder_Alps_EC11E-Switch_Vertical_H20mm	SW1
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	T1
84	D_Small	D_SOD-123	D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8 +76
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	D67
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	L1
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	C1
1	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	R1

Chesters-Keyboard design files

The KiCad project lives in the Fern518/Chesters-Keyboard repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Chesters-Keyboard: common questions

What microcontroller does the Chesters-Keyboard use?

The Chesters-Keyboard is built around the Pico, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the Chesters-Keyboard PCB?

The Chesters-Keyboard measures 358.1 × 123.2 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Chesters-Keyboard?

171 components, from 19 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Chesters-Keyboard design files?

From the Fern518/Chesters-Keyboard repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Chesters-Keyboard design in my own project?

The repository has no license, so all rights stay with Fern518. Use it as a reference, and ask the author before reusing the design.

Can I test firmware for the Chesters-Keyboard without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug RP2040/RP2350 firmware against it before you order a PCB.