Rp2040-kb starter

plushugh·rp2040-kb-starter·PCB/KB-Starter.kicad_pcb

About the Rp2040-kb starter PCB

Rp2040-kb starter is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by plushugh, published on GitHub under the MIT license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 99.3 × 103.6 mm, with 71 components from 19 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the RP2040, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. Other key parts include the W25Q128JVS, USBLC6-2SC6 and XC6206PxxxMR. By type, the board carries 17 diodes, 17 capacitors, 11 resistors, 4 ICs, 3 connectors and 1 crystal.

It belongs with the keyboards designs in this gallery.

From the project

A starter template for RP2040-based keyboard PCB projects using KiCad

I recommend KiCad version >= 8.0, and make sure you install the kiswitch plugin (Version 2.4) from the Plugin and Content Manager

I also recommend installing the kbplacer plugin for easy alignment of switch footprints

Inspired by Sleepdealr/RP2040-designguide

Main components on the Rp2040-kb starter

W25Q128JVS USBLC6-2SC6 XC6206PxxxMR RP2040

Rp2040-kb starter bill of materials (BOM)

71 components, 19 distinct parts.

Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
1	W25Q128JVS	SOIC-8_5.23x5.23mm_P1.27mm	U1
1	USBLC6-2SC6	SOT-23-6	U2
1	XC6206PxxxMR	SOT-23-3	U3
1	RP2040	QFN-56-1EP_7x7mm_P0.4mm_EP3.2x3.2mm	U5
1	12MHz	Crystal_SMD_3225-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm	Y1
1	USB_C_Receptacle_USB2.0	USB_C_Receptacle_HRO_TYPE-C-31-M-12	J1
1	3-pin SWD	JST_SH_BM03B-SRSS-TB_1x03-1MP_P1.00mm_Vertical	J2
1	3-pin UART	JST_SH_BM03B-SRSS-TB_1x03-1MP_P1.00mm_Vertical	J3
1	500mA	Fuse_1206_3216Metric	F1
17	Kailh Hotswap	SW_Hotswap_Kailh_MX_1.00u	MX1, MX2, MX3, MX4, MX5, MX6, MX7, MX8 +9
17	1N4148WT	D_SOD-523	D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8 +9
10	100nF	C_0402_1005Metric	C1, C5, C6, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13 +2
2	22pF	C_0402_1005Metric	C2, C3
4	1uF	C_0402_1005Metric	C4, C8, C16, C17
1	10uF	C_0402_1005Metric	C7
3	1k	R_0402_1005Metric	R1, R2, R7
2	5k1	R_0402_1005Metric	R3, R4
2	27R	R_0603_1608Metric	R5, R6
4	100	R_0603_1608Metric	R8, R9, R10, R11

Rp2040-kb starter design files

The KiCad project lives in the plushugh/rp2040-kb-starter repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

LayoutPCB/KB-Starter.kicad_pcb
SchematicPCB/KB-Starter.kicad_sch

Rp2040-kb starter: common questions

What microcontroller does the Rp2040-kb starter use?

The Rp2040-kb starter is built around the RP2040, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the Rp2040-kb starter PCB?

The Rp2040-kb starter measures 99.3 × 103.6 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Rp2040-kb starter?

71 components, from 19 distinct parts. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Rp2040-kb starter design files?

From the plushugh/rp2040-kb-starter repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout and the schematic; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Rp2040-kb starter design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its MIT license, which plushugh chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the Rp2040-kb starter 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.