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--- pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703 [2024/05/15 18:19]
matei.ionescu0703 [Case Design] fix typo
+++ pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703 [2024/05/27 15:21] (current)
matei.ionescu0703 add journal
@@ Line 154: / Line 154: @@
 {{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:schematic-left.png?600 |}}\\
-Using the Ergogen layout and the schematic, I placed the components on the PCB. After carefully placing all of the components in their position and creating mounting holes I started routing the PCB. The first problem occured when I received my components from the store. The initial project featured a reset button, but because the dimensions of the Arduino ProMicro where bigger than the ones written on the store page, I had to remove it and readjust the PCB, and the footprint of the component. After a lot of work all that was left to be done was branding my PCB with the RootKB logo on the silkscreen. The final result looks like this:
+Using the Ergogen layout and the schematic, I began working on the PCB itself. After carefully placing all of the components in their position and creating mounting holes I started routing the PCB. The first problem occurred when I received my components from the store. The initial project featured a reset button, but because the dimensions of the Arduino ProMicro were bigger than the ones written on the store page, I had to remove it and readjust the PCB, and the footprint of the microcontroller. After a lot of work all that was left to be done was branding my PCB with the RootKB logo on the silkscreen. The final result looks like this:
 {{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:pcb-left.png?400 |}}
@@ Line 161: / Line 161: @@
-Then I had to repeat the whole process for the right-half.
+Then I had to repeat the whole process for the right half.
 {{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:schematic-right.png?600 |}}\\
@@ Line 168: / Line 168: @@
 {{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:pcb-right-back.png?400 |}}\\
-Next, I ordered the pieces and prayed that it will work. \\
+Next, I ordered the PCBs and prayed that they work as envisioned. \\
 ==== Plate Design ====
-With the PCB ready, I imported the .dxf files to Fusion360 in order to create the plate. After researching the required dimensions that will allow the switches to click it, I created my first design meant to be made out of FR4 or aluminum at a 1.5mm thickness. I also created annotated 2D drawings in AutoCAD for production. This ended up too expensive and would take too long to be made. So I redesigned the plate to be 3D printed at a 3mm thickness for more strength.
+With the PCB ready, I imported the .dxf files to Fusion360 in order to create the plate. After researching the required dimensions that will allow the switches to click it, I created my first design meant to be made out of FR-4 or aluminum with a 1.5mm thickness. I also created annotated 2D drawings in AutoCAD for production. This ended up too expensive and would take too long to be made. So I redesigned the plate to be 3D printed with a 3mm thickness for more strength.
 {{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:plate-left.png?400 |}}
@@ Line 190: / Line 190: @@
 And putting it all together:
 {{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:build-left.png?400 |}}
+==== Building The Keyboard ====
+I finally got all the components.
+{{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:physical-pcbs.jpeg?400 |}}
+{{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:physical-case_3d_printed.jpeg?400 |}} \\
+It was time to build the keyboard. I soldered all the 44 diodes, 44 switch sockets and 44 LEDs. For socketing the microcontrollers I used resistor legs as pins in order to fit the case as mentioned above.
+{{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:solder-setup.jpeg?400 |}}
+{{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:solder-pcb.jpeg?400 |}} \\
+After I bulit the first half, I wrote some quick scripts to test that everything works fine.
+{{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:half-build.jpeg?400 |}} \\
+And after another day of soldering I had two working keyboard halfs.
+{{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:final-result.jpeg?400 |}} \\
+===== Software =====
+The original plan was to use the LUFA library, but due to lack of time I ended us using the Arduino Framework.
+==== Matrix Scanning ====
+Scanning the matrix is the task that runs most of the time on the microcotroller. To store the state of the matrix I am using bit operations. Each half of the matrix is represented as a uint64_t number. Each half of the keyboard reads the state of the matrix representing the keys that are pressed. Then the right half of the matrix sends using UART its matrix state uint64_t number to the left half. The state of all keys on the keyboard is then obtained by using the bitwise OR operation.
+==== Sending Keys to PC ====
+The layers of the keyboard are represented in the keys.h file. According to which keys are pressed in the matrix state, the according key will be sent to the PC. When a layer changes all keys from that layer will be released.
+The layouts of the keyboard look like this:
+{{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:keyboard-layout.png?400 |}} \\
+==== RGB & OLED ====
+I have also implemented brightness and color control of the RGB lights on the keyboard. When the the brightness is modified the change can be seen on the display, and after a short period of time it goes back to displaying the logo. When changes happen, the Left half will send the new color to the right half over UART.
+===== Conclusion =====
+This was a challenging project, that took me a couple of months to design, build and program, but the result is awesome and I am happy I'm writing this part of the article on the keyboard I built from scratch.
+===== GitHub =====
+All the files for this project are available at [[https://github.com/Matei77/RootKB]], including the case design, PCB and software.
+===== Journal =====
+{{ :pm:prj2024:ccontasel:matei.ionescu0703:gantt.png?400 |}} \\