Universal Model M Controller
- hasu
- Location: Japan
- Main keyboard: HHKB
- Main mouse: HHKB
- Favorite switch: Topre
- DT Pro Member: -
If nobody use VBUS function we can forget my VBUS concern. I think it is useful to someone and I used VBUSTI thourugh LUFA to initialize USB engine in proper timing(plug-in) in my Bluetooth Controller.
But I'm not insist that it is indispensable. I'm just reviewing PCB design, I for one don't have plan to use Bluetooth on Model M.
As datasheet indicates, VBUS pin is typically connected like this in self powered device.
But I'm not insist that it is indispensable. I'm just reviewing PCB design, I for one don't have plan to use Bluetooth on Model M.
As datasheet indicates, VBUS pin is typically connected like this in self powered device.
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Excellent! Thanks everyone for your feedback, I think this most recent revision will suit the needs of just about everyone. You can tell it's getting serious now that there's a ground plane... ;P
Now there's some options to play around with regarding the voltage regulator and what paths to use based on different needs or preferences, even if they're remote.
Moved E3 D6 F7-4 to the right hand side. Not sure if I'm keeping E3 right there quite yet. No big deal.
Used some of the blank space on the left hand side for whatever.
Bluefruit EZKey vaguely placed with convenient traces in the event that it actually fits and works right there, if not, no big deal - wire it in and place it elsewhere.
This is about as "official" as Version 1.0 gets. Super excite.
Need to go through and double check all the ground fill vias and add in the copper fill for the top.
...I'm still thinking red PCB...
Now there's some options to play around with regarding the voltage regulator and what paths to use based on different needs or preferences, even if they're remote.
Moved E3 D6 F7-4 to the right hand side. Not sure if I'm keeping E3 right there quite yet. No big deal.
Used some of the blank space on the left hand side for whatever.
Bluefruit EZKey vaguely placed with convenient traces in the event that it actually fits and works right there, if not, no big deal - wire it in and place it elsewhere.
This is about as "official" as Version 1.0 gets. Super excite.
Need to go through and double check all the ground fill vias and add in the copper fill for the top.
...I'm still thinking red PCB...
- idollar
- i$
- Location: Germany (Frankfurt area)
- Main keyboard: IBM F or M
- Favorite switch: BS
- DT Pro Member: -
Impressive !
Let me add some possible improvements:
1.- I could not find a reset button. A real push button, optional. This would help in the possible debugging.
2.- The oscillator could be moved to the opposite edge to ensure that it does not hit the metal plate.
3.- It could be good to add an isp interface also.
Let me add some possible improvements:
1.- I could not find a reset button. A real push button, optional. This would help in the possible debugging.
2.- The oscillator could be moved to the opposite edge to ensure that it does not hit the metal plate.
3.- It could be good to add an isp interface also.
- chzel
- Location: Athens, Greece
- Main keyboard: Phantom
- Main mouse: Mionix Avior 7000
- Favorite switch: Beamspring, BS, Vintage Blacks.
- DT Pro Member: 0086
I would move the xtal closer to the uC, it should improve reliability. Shuffle the tracks a bit and don't use vias, you have enough room, and the matrix tracks can be a bit longer to go around the xtal.
Edit: I love this project!
Edit: I love this project!
- idollar
- i$
- Location: Germany (Frankfurt area)
- Main keyboard: IBM F or M
- Favorite switch: BS
- DT Pro Member: -
EDIT: I also love this project. Thank you !idollar wrote: Impressive !
Let me add some possible improvements:
1.- I could not find a reset button. A real push button, optional. This would help in the possible debugging.
2.- The oscillator could be moved to the opposite edge to ensure that it does not hit the metal plate.
3.- It could be good to add an isp interface also.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
White might make sense Inside beige or industrial shells. I always like the barrels being white. But then again red is the best PCB colour in general.
Definitely needs an Oh Shit! button though. For reflashing / general unbricking.
Definitely needs an Oh Shit! button though. For reflashing / general unbricking.
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Thanks! 
- Reset button: it's there next to the USB-B, and on the optional micro USB mini board. Both of which will be accessible with a paper clip. Or the same style switch with a longer actuator, depending on preference. The actuator is blue in the pictures, so that's probably deceiving.
- Crystal being moved: done! Thanks for bringing that up. I've been meaning to do it but didn't feel like fussing with it. Now it's surface mount with no vias. Technically it fit before without hitting the steel plate, but I like this way better now.
- ISP interface: technically it's there, but not as a single block connector. MISO/MOSI/SCLK, reset, Vcc and ground are all accessible.
- White solder mask... They're gorgeous. But red... Red just looks like it means business.
- Side notes: I moved R1 and R2 in such a way as to remove two vias which seems important for the USB data lines. Aaaaaand... There's another side note, and probably another note to the side of that. *stares off blankly for a few moments/minutes*
Oh. That's why. They were tangential. Right now I'm futzing about making sure the ground planes don't have dead spots and adding vias as necessary. The side-side note was about Fritzing. It's a really awesome program if you have no experience with other design suites, and really gets you acquainted with the flow of things. The parts editor and libraries need some time to evolve, but otherwise it's been rather intuitive. I'm having an easier time learning to use Eagle now, even though a lot of things are quite opposite.

- Reset button: it's there next to the USB-B, and on the optional micro USB mini board. Both of which will be accessible with a paper clip. Or the same style switch with a longer actuator, depending on preference. The actuator is blue in the pictures, so that's probably deceiving.
- Crystal being moved: done! Thanks for bringing that up. I've been meaning to do it but didn't feel like fussing with it. Now it's surface mount with no vias. Technically it fit before without hitting the steel plate, but I like this way better now.
- ISP interface: technically it's there, but not as a single block connector. MISO/MOSI/SCLK, reset, Vcc and ground are all accessible.
- White solder mask... They're gorgeous. But red... Red just looks like it means business.
- Side notes: I moved R1 and R2 in such a way as to remove two vias which seems important for the USB data lines. Aaaaaand... There's another side note, and probably another note to the side of that. *stares off blankly for a few moments/minutes*
Oh. That's why. They were tangential. Right now I'm futzing about making sure the ground planes don't have dead spots and adding vias as necessary. The side-side note was about Fritzing. It's a really awesome program if you have no experience with other design suites, and really gets you acquainted with the flow of things. The parts editor and libraries need some time to evolve, but otherwise it's been rather intuitive. I'm having an easier time learning to use Eagle now, even though a lot of things are quite opposite.
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Updated layout:
Spoiler:
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
I'm nicknaming it Colossus, as in The Forbin Project.
This is the voice of world control...
Submitting Monday for manufacturing.
This is the voice of world control...
Submitting Monday for manufacturing.

- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
The math is a little fuzzy right now but the goal is about $45 assembled, including a cute little Mylar port cover. Bare PCB if you want to solder it yourself or use a teensy will probably be under $10. Once I get them and see how long it takes me to solder, flash and test I'll know a little better.
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
Sweet!
You're one of the cool kids here with a reflow oven? I definitely want mine assembled, with the cute port and a Bluetooth cherry on top please.
Also: a great name. (Very fitting for the reputation Model Ms have.) And one that's got a notable history in computing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_computer
You're one of the cool kids here with a reflow oven? I definitely want mine assembled, with the cute port and a Bluetooth cherry on top please.
Also: a great name. (Very fitting for the reputation Model Ms have.) And one that's got a notable history in computing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_computer
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Hehe! Okie dokie!
Nah, no reflow oven. Old school hand soldering for me. Drag soldering is one of my favorite skills so it shouldn't take tooooo long.
Nah, no reflow oven. Old school hand soldering for me. Drag soldering is one of my favorite skills so it shouldn't take tooooo long.
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Ahhhh what a beautiful machine. I like that there's a redirect to the Forbin project as well. 

- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Okie doke!
Order placed. Getting 100 of these goofy little gadgets. I expect to have them in about two weeks.
If you're interested in getting one, PM me so I can get an idea of how many extra sets of components I need to order for the first round of assembly.
Let me know if you intend on using it as a regular USB-B or Micro B, and whether or not you want me to order in the Bluefruit EZKey and Lipo Rider, and what model you'd like to use it on (primarily just need to know for the proper LED connector). Or if you just want the blank PCB we'll call that $10 + S&H for now. I'm still thinking $45 for the assembled board.
So here's version 1.0 as submitted:
Order placed. Getting 100 of these goofy little gadgets. I expect to have them in about two weeks.
If you're interested in getting one, PM me so I can get an idea of how many extra sets of components I need to order for the first round of assembly.
Let me know if you intend on using it as a regular USB-B or Micro B, and whether or not you want me to order in the Bluefruit EZKey and Lipo Rider, and what model you'd like to use it on (primarily just need to know for the proper LED connector). Or if you just want the blank PCB we'll call that $10 + S&H for now. I'm still thinking $45 for the assembled board.
So here's version 1.0 as submitted:
Spoiler:
- Muirium
- µ
- Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
- Main keyboard: HHKB Type-S with Bluetooth by Hasu
- Main mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
- Favorite switch: Gotta Try 'Em All
- DT Pro Member: µ
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
PCB's are arriving today! Most of components arrive tomorrow.
I need to organize the BOM a bit better but I'll have that up at some point. I'll get back with everyone who messaged about getting a controller once I get a couple built and tested - I have plenty to go around!
Of course, even after hours of staring I still found a few small errors which didn't show up until after they've been manufactured. They're small, but they annoy me.
- C1 is attached to the output of the voltage regulator. Really would have preferred for it to be before. Not a huge issue, and if it is I can cut the trace and run a small wire.
- For some reason I labeled a through hole attached to Ucap as ALE, which it most certainly is not.
That's it, I suppose. Version 1.0001 can happen eventually with fun changes.
In the meanwhile, here's the idea I have in my head about the Lipo situation for both Adafruit LiIon/LiPoly and the Rider Pro:
I'm thinking this is the simplest setup for what we have?
I need to organize the BOM a bit better but I'll have that up at some point. I'll get back with everyone who messaged about getting a controller once I get a couple built and tested - I have plenty to go around!
Of course, even after hours of staring I still found a few small errors which didn't show up until after they've been manufactured. They're small, but they annoy me.
- C1 is attached to the output of the voltage regulator. Really would have preferred for it to be before. Not a huge issue, and if it is I can cut the trace and run a small wire.
- For some reason I labeled a through hole attached to Ucap as ALE, which it most certainly is not.
That's it, I suppose. Version 1.0001 can happen eventually with fun changes.
In the meanwhile, here's the idea I have in my head about the Lipo situation for both Adafruit LiIon/LiPoly and the Rider Pro:
I'm thinking this is the simplest setup for what we have?
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
HEEEEE! It's so pretty! Drills are perfect, fits like a glove, and the red is meeeeean! Mhuahah. The notch fits perfectly for the boards with the smaller controller. I'm cursing myself for not ordering the components one day earlier because I want to solder one oh so badly right now. Everything checks out with my ohmmeter too. I was worried that the mounting posts weren't going to line up that well, but I got it right on the spot. Weeeee!
Should have gone slightly thicker than 1mm, but whatever - it's perfectly fine and I know for the next time.
Should have gone slightly thicker than 1mm, but whatever - it's perfectly fine and I know for the next time.
-
- Location: UK
- Main keyboard: Filco ZERO green alps, Model F 122 Terminal
- Main mouse: Ducky Secret / Roller Mouse Pro 1
- Favorite switch: MX Mount Topre / Model F Buckling
- DT Pro Member: 0167
That is amazing ! Would have been more amazing in white but still amazing !
Can you still get PCBs without solder mask ? so they match the beamspring controllers ? ( or at least my one has no mask).
That prototype area screams solenoid to me !
Can you still get PCBs without solder mask ? so they match the beamspring controllers ? ( or at least my one has no mask).
That prototype area screams solenoid to me !
- CommonCurt
- Location: West Palm Beach, FL
- Main keyboard: OTD Koala | KMAC2
- Main mouse: Cherry M-5400
- Favorite switch: 62g MX-Clears | 62g Vintage Blacks
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
phosphorglow wrote: HEEEEE! It's so pretty! Drills are perfect, fits like a glove, and the red is meeeeean! Mhuahah. The notch fits perfectly for the boards with the smaller controller. I'm cursing myself for not ordering the components one day earlier because I want to solder one oh so badly right now. Everything checks out with my ohmmeter too. I was worried that the mounting posts weren't going to line up that well, but I got it right on the spot. Weeeee!
Should have gone slightly thicker than 1mm, but whatever - it's perfectly fine and I know for the next time.
Wow. Lookin good

- vivalarevolución
- formerly prdlm2009
- Location: USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Beam spring
- Main mouse: Kangaroo
- Favorite switch: beam spring
- DT Pro Member: 0097
Looks beautiful! The Model M, with 21st century sophistication.
- phosphorglow
- Location: Indianapolis - USA
- Main keyboard: IBM Model M
- Main mouse: Kensington Expert Mouse
- Favorite switch: Buckling Spring!
- DT Pro Member: -
- Contact:
Thanks! ^_^
First one assembled and I'm using it in my SSK right now! Picture! Exclamation point!
First one assembled and I'm using it in my SSK right now! Picture! Exclamation point!
- idollar
- i$
- Location: Germany (Frankfurt area)
- Main keyboard: IBM F or M
- Favorite switch: BS
- DT Pro Member: -