NghiPad

nghids·NghiPad

About the NghiPad PCB

NghiPad is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by nghids, published on GitHub under the CC-BY-4.0 license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 92 × 91.4 mm, with 23 components from 6 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the XIAO-RP2040-DIP, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. By type, the board carries 11 diodes, 10 switches, 1 IC and 1 LED.

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

From the project

Custom 3x3 macro pad with rotary encoder, OLED, and RGB underglow — powered by Seeed XIAO RP2040 and QMK firmware

A custom 3x3 macro pad featuring a rotary encoder, OLED display, and RGB underglow — powered by a Seeed XIAO RP2040. Designed in KiCad with a 3D-printed case.

- 9 mechanical key switches (MX-compatible) in a 3x3 grid - Rotary encoder with push button (EC11) - 0.91" SSD1306 OLED display (128x32, I2C) - 2x SK6812MINI-E RGB underglow LEDs - Seeed XIAO RP2040 microcontroller - QMK firmware support - 3D-printed case (top plate, switch plate, and base)

NghiPad, from the project README — From the project README

Main components on the NghiPad

XIAO-RP2040-DIP

NghiPad bill of materials (BOM)

23 components, 6 distinct parts.

Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
1	XIAO-RP2040-DIP	XIAO-RP2040-DIP	U2
9	SW_Push	SW_Cherry_MX_1.00u_PCB	SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8 +1
1	RotaryEncoder_Switch	RotaryEncoder_Alps_EC11E-Switch_Vertical_H20mm	SW17
1	OLEd	SSD1306-0.91-OLED-4pin-128x32	O1
9	1N4148	D_DO-35_SOD27_P7.62mm_Horizontal	D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8 +1
2	SK6812MINI-E	LED_SK6812MINI_PLCC4_3.5x3.5mm_P1.75mm	D10, D11

NghiPad design files

The KiCad project lives in the nghids/NghiPad repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

LayoutMacroPad.kicad_pcb
SchematicMacroPad.kicad_sch

NghiPad: common questions

What microcontroller does the NghiPad use?

The NghiPad is built around the XIAO-RP2040-DIP, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the NghiPad PCB?

The NghiPad measures 92 × 91.4 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the NghiPad?

23 components, from 6 distinct parts. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the NghiPad design files?

From the nghids/NghiPad repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout and the schematic; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the NghiPad design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its CC-BY-4.0 license, which nghids chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the NghiPad 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.