Macrolev

bottom picture - pcb picture -

Macrolev - Open Source Analog Keyboard

I use the two prototypes shown above as my daily drivers for both coding and gaming. They work well, and the current state of the web configurator is sufficient for seamlessly switching between coding and gaming modes. The current layout of my prototypes is Mac ISO azerty (FR).

Disclaimer

This is still a work in progress. While the prototypes are functional, building one requires a good understanding of electronics and firmware development. If you're interested in creating your own, please be aware that you'll need experience with PCB assembly, microcontroller programming, and debugging embedded systems.

The Rev1 version shown in the images above requires an ST-Link programmer to flash the firmware, making setup more complex. Additionally, the keymap is hardcoded in the firmware, so any changes to the key layout require recompiling and reflashing the firmware.

The second revision features a split PCB design consisting of a main board for the key layout and a separate breakout board. This two-board approach makes it easier to test and evaluate different microcontrollers. However, development is still in progress as the microcontroller board (currently planned to use an ESP32-S3) has not been finalized yet.

Features

• Analog Input: Each key detects varying levels of pressure thanks to Hall Effect technology, allowing for a more responsive and sensitive typing experience.
• Rapid Trigger Support: Enables keys to actuate without fully releasing, allowing for faster response times during intense usage (e.g., gaming or rapid typing).
• Continuous Rapid Trigger: For keys that require repeated pressing (e.g., in gaming), this feature allows automatic repeated key input with a single press.
• Tap and Hold Functionality: Each key can be assigned two functions. A tap function for quick presses and a hold function for longer presses. This is ideal for combining shortcuts or creating multi-functional keys, such as assigning the right Shift key to act as an arrow up when tapped.
• Web-Based Configurator: Allows customization of key sensitivity and rapid trigger settings, with future updates planned to enable key mapping and expanded functionality. (see screenshot)

Todos

This is still a work in progress, the firt revision is working flawlessly but it is not that configurable yet. Here is some of the things I'm working on right now

• PCB Rev 2.0
• Explore other MCUs
  • esp32-s3 (in progress)
  • nRF52840
  • RP2354 ?
• Add Bluetooth
• Configure layout and key mapping from the web interface
• Improve performances

Links

• keyboard layout
• Onshape - Case
• Onshape - Low profile MX keycaps
• Rev 1.0 Schema
• Rev 1.0 Pcb
• Rev 2.0 Schema
• Rev 2.0 Pcb
• Rev 2.0 Schema (daughter board)
• Rev 2.0 Pcb (daughter board)
• Web Configurator
• Custom keycap set on Yuzu (azerty fr macos)

Misc

References

• RP2040 Datasheet
• RP2040 Hardware Design
• kb2040 doc
• RPi Pico Debugger Shoe
• Dilemma keyboard
• 0xB2 - splinky
• Sub Reddit
• layout/design ref
• cirque trackpad
• MagLev_Switch_MX
• Anatomy of a keyboard
• Switches/Stabs Kicad footprints from ebastler/marbastlib
• Reddit Post about someone building a lekker switch based keyboard
• Riskable projects
• Fluxpad with lekker switches
• STM32F411CEU6 documentation
• Wooting 60HE pcb
• Connecting to uncommon HID devices
• HID Descriptor parser
• peppapighs HE8 keyboard
• peppapighs libhmk library
• nuphy configurator demo
• geonworks configurator demo
• wooting configurator demo

Tooling

• QMK keyboard test
• Keyboard ghosting interactive demonstration
• Kicad lib marbastlib
• Debug HardFault
• ai03 Plate Generator
• JLC2KiCad_lib

Add footprints and symbols from jlcpcb with this cmd

JLC2KiCadLib <...LCSC refs> -dir JLCPCB -symbol_lib JLCPCB

PCB reviews

• Review request on PrintedCircuitBoard (Rev 1.0)
• Second review request on PrintedCircuitBoard (Rev 1.0)
• Third review request on PrintedCircuitBoard (Rev 2.0)