Designing an Open Source 60% RGB Backlit Keyboard

Project-Aurora · 03 Apr 2016, 14:40

Currently there are'nt any Open Source RGB-Backlit Keyboards out there and no 60% RGB Keyboards in general (at least none that I am aware of).
Project-Aurora is an attempt at fixing both of these issues.
https://github.com/Project-Aurora/Project-Aurora

Since I lack the resources and experience required to go the more traditional "test first, publicise later" approach I don't have much to show right now except for some Screenshots of the PCB.

Before ordering prototypes I would like some feedback about the Design, Error-Sources, Improvements, Suggestions, that sort of stuff.
If you have any Questions feel free to ask them, you can open Issues/Pull-Requests on Github as well.

mohitgarg · 03 Apr 2016, 15:40

Very nice work thus far. What firmware do you have in mind? KiiBohd?

Project-Aurora · 03 Apr 2016, 15:49

Yup, it will be using the same/a pin compatible Microcontroller, I designed it to be cross-compatible to Input Clubs Keyboards, including stuff like the flash header.
Hardware-wise the LED Driver/Wireing is the Crucial Point so im hoping to make this Part of the Design as reliable as possible.

Brot · 04 Apr 2016, 16:14

(source C:/Users/analkarpfen/Documents/Project-Aurora/Project-Aurora.sch)

uhm?

flabbergast · 04 Apr 2016, 16:42

Nice! Although QFN packages will be a real treat to solder manually

And I have the same question as for mohitgarg's project - why wouldn't you drive the LEDs from 5V directly from USB, especially now that you effectively have like 200 of them? I still think it's an unnecessary strain for the regulator to run the LEDs through it. On the other hand, mohitgarg has tested, and the regulators that you guys put there should be able to carry the load

Ray · 04 Apr 2016, 17:55

Brot wrote:
(source C:/Users/analkarpfen/Documents/Project-Aurora/Project-Aurora.sch)
uhm?

Project-Aurora · 04 Apr 2016, 19:15

Brot wrote:
(source C:/Users/analkarpfen/Documents/Project-Aurora/Project-Aurora.sch)
uhm?

Already wondered when that was going to bite me in the ass.

Seems like KiCad always fills in the full Path, oh well.

flabbergast wrote: why wouldn't you drive the LEDs from 5V directly from USB

Thats one of the points I wasn't sure about.
I'm in contact with Haata about this.

matt3o · 04 Apr 2016, 19:59

wait... an open source project like this... developed on... windows?! no way!