Cata

skarrmann·cata·kicad/ks-33/cata-ks-33.kicad_pcb

About the Cata PCB

Cata is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by skarrmann, published on GitHub under the MIT license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 209 × 76 mm, with 69 components from 3 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the RP2040-Zero, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. By type, the board carries 34 switches, 34 diodes and 1 IC.

It belongs with the keyboards and dev boards & breakouts designs in this gallery.

From the project

34 key ortholinear keyboard with self-encasing PCB

Cata is a 34 key ortholinear keyboard, powered by a Waveshare RP2040-Zero.

It uses Gateron KS-33 Low Profile 3.0 keyswitches with 19mm x 19mm spacing.

The PCB design is akin to the Sha Keyboard, but with fewer keys and different keyswitches.

gerbers: Gerber files for PCB manufacturing graphics: Source assets for PCB silkscreen kicad: KiCad project files (schematics and PCB designs) kicad-libraries: KiCad components and footprints images`: Images for project documentation

Cata, from the project README — From the project README

Main components on the Cata

RP2040-Zero

Cata bill of materials (BOM)

69 components, 3 distinct parts.

Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
1	RP2040-Zero	RP2040-Zero_SMD	U1
34	SW_Push	SW_KS33_Reverse_Cutout	SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8 +26
34	D	D_SOD-123	D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7, D8 +26

Cata design files

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

Layoutkicad/ks-33/cata-ks-33.kicad_pcb
Schematickicad/ks-33/cata-ks-33.kicad_sch

Cata: common questions

What microcontroller does the Cata use?

The Cata is built around the RP2040-Zero, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the Cata PCB?

The Cata measures 209 × 76 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Cata?

69 components, from 3 distinct parts. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Cata design files?

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

Can I use the Cata design in my own project?

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

Can I test firmware for the Cata 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.