<div class="entry-content">
    <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rMoTqSC9wrY" class="youtube-player" width="740" height="416.418" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span>
    </div>
    <div class="blog-content">
In this tutorial you will design and build your own keyboard. You will also learn all the essentials to design and build any electronics. Enjoy!
    </div>
    
    <div class="blog-content-links">
        <div>
            Links:
        </div>
        <ul class="links-list">
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://github.com/FEDEVEL/custom-keyboard">Github (HW + 3D + SW)</a></li>
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://fedevel.com/courses">FEDEVEL Online courses</a></li>
        </ul>
    </div>  
</div>

Tutorial - Custom DIY Keyboard Design and Build | Part 2: Keyboard Schematic

<div class="entry-content">
    <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N4cLFE0FF2U" class="youtube-player" width="740" height="416.418" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span>
    </div>
    <div class="blog-content">
        In this tutorial you will design and build your own keyboard. You will also learn all the essentials to design and build any electronics. Enjoy!
    </div>

    <div class="blog-content-chapters">
        <div>
            Chapters:
        </div>
        <ul class="chapters-list">
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">00:00</span><span class="chapters-text">What is this tutorial about</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">03:34</span><span class="chapters-text">Starting a new project</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">08:42</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding RP2040</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">14:43</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 100nF</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">20:12</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 2.2uF</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">23:14</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 200R</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">25:43</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 27R</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">27:40</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding USB-C connector</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">31:25</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding ESD protection</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">34:03</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 1uF</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">36:10</span><span class="chapters-text">Connecting USB CC pins</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">36:46</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 5.1k</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">38:21</span><span class="chapters-text">Voltage regulator 5V to 3V3</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">42:27</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 47uF</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">45:49</span><span class="chapters-text">Crystal ABM8-272-T3</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">47:22</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 1k</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">48:32</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 15pF</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">49:48</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 1M</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">52:52</span><span class="chapters-text">Flash W25Q128JVS</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">58:20</span><span class="chapters-text">Boot Select Button</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">1:01:09</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 100k</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">1:03:10</span><span class="chapters-text">Reset Button</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">1:04:28</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 10k</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">1:08:23</span><span class="chapters-text">Adding 1x3 Header</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">1:11:50</span><span class="chapters-text">User LED</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">1:15:06</span><span class="chapters-text">Power LED</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">1:16:38</span><span class="chapters-text">Thank you for watching</span></li>
    </div>
    
    <div class="blog-content-links">
        <div>
            Links:
        </div>
        <ul class="links-list">
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://oshwlab.com/robertferanec/custom-keyboard">Finished project (EasyEDA)</a></li>
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://github.com/FEDEVEL/custom-keyboard">Github (HW + 3D + SW)</a></li>
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6784228">Thingiverse (3D)</a></li>
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXvLToQzgzdftro2qK5In8p6ExsDFdpzw">Link to the complete playlist</a></li>
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://fedevel.com/courses">FEDEVEL Online courses</a></li>
        </ul>
    </div>  
</div>

Tutorial - Custom DIY Keyboard Design and Build: Schematic + PCB + Case | Part 1 - RP2040

<div class="entry-content">
    <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lqc1jmbSxnE" class="youtube-player" width="740" height="416.418" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span>
    </div>
    <div class="blog-content">
Why is the thickness of PCB layers important? Explained.
    </div>

    <div class="blog-content-chapters">
        <div>
            Chapters:
        </div>
        <ul class="chapters-list">
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">00:00</span><span class="chapters-text">What is this video about</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">00:36</span><span class="chapters-text">What is PCB stackup</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">01:08</span><span class="chapters-text">Is stackup important?</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">01:37</span><span class="chapters-text">Layer thickness vs. crosstalk</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">03:37</span><span class="chapters-text">Layer thickness vs. track width</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">05:11</span><span class="chapters-text">Layer count and order</span></li>
            <li class="chapters-list-item"><span class="chapters-time">07:44</span><span class="chapters-text">Conclusion</span></li>
    </div>
    
    <div class="blog-content-links">
        <div>
            Links:
        </div>
        <ul class="links-list">
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://fedevel.com/courses">FEDEVEL Online courses</a></li>
        </ul>
    </div>  
</div>

How to choose PCB?

<div class="entry-content">
    <div class="blog-content">
        In case you need generate 3D pdf ( <a href="http://www.voipac.com/downloads/imx/53/doc/iMX53_SODIMM_3D.pdf">like this iMX53 SODIMM 3D pdf</a> where you can click and see the board from every angle), use for example <a href="http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Acrobat/9.0/3D/WS58a04a822e3e50102bd615109794195ff-7c13.w.html">Adobe 3D Reviewer</a>. How? Export your PCB from Altium Designer into STEP file and open it in the Adobe software. Then File -> Export will save it into 3D PDF file. Disadvantage – Adobe 3d Reviewer is not FREE.
    </div>


    <div class="blog-content-text">
        In case you need to print some screenshots/pictures of your 3D board into pdf, follow these steps in your Altium Designer:
        <ol class="content-list">
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">Set the 3D view you like in your PCB editor.</span></li>
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">Go to Job file -> <i>Add New Documentation -> PCB 3D prints</i>.</span></li>
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">Then Right click -> <i>Configure -> Custom -> Take Current Camera Position</i>. Ok.</span></li>
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">Print / Publish into PDF.</span></li>
        </ol>
    </div>
   
    <div class="blog-content-img-wrapper">
        <img src="https://assets.fedevel.com/blog/2019/10/ad4f1-3d-print.jpg" alt="3d print" />
    </div>

    <div class="blog-content">
        See also my post – <a href="https://fedevel.com/blog/altium-designer-3d-model-of-your-pcb-its-reallyeasy/">Altium Designer – 3D model of your PCB – it’s really easy</a>
    </div>

   
    <div class="blog-content-links">
        <div>
            Links:
        </div>
        <ul class="links-list">
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="http://www.voipac.com/downloads/imx/53/doc/iMX53_SODIMM_3D.pdf">like this iMX53 SODIMM 3D pdf</a></li>
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="http://help.adobe.com/en_US/Acrobat/9.0/3D/WS58a04a822e3e50102bd615109794195ff-7c13.w.html">Adobe 3D Reviewer</a></li>
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://fedevel.com/blog/altium-designer-3d-model-of-your-pcb-its-reallyeasy/">Altium Designer – 3D model of your PCB – it’s really easy</a></li>
        </ul>
    </div>  
</div>

Altium Designer – Print 3D pictures into PDF

<div class="entry-content">
    <div class="blog-content">
        There are two options:<br><br>

        <b>1) Leave your PCB manufacturer to design PCB stackup for you (Recommended)</b><br>
        <u>Why?</u>
        <ul class="content-list">
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">You don’t need to spend your time by designing stackup. Leave it on PCB manufacturer – they are professionals. They do it every day. Also, by doing it this way, you can work on design in parallel of handling issues with PCB stackup.</span></li>
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">Many times PCB manufacturer is not able to build PCB stackup designed by other company or a person outside their company. The main reason is unavailability of material used in some PCB stackups. Selection of material is the best to leave on them – they will choose stocked material.</span></li>
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">PCB manufacturers use different track geometry calculators and they will not guarantee track impedance if track geometry is calculated by someone else. Many times their calculated numbers and your calculated numbers will be different.</span></li>
        </ul><br>

        An example of email to PCB manufacturer with request for PCB stackup and track geometry.
    </div>
    <div style="border:1px solid #aaaaaa;background-color:#eaeaea;">
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:15px;"><i>Please suggest PCB stackup and track geometry for PCB with following parameters:</i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:15px;"><i><u><b>PCB Description</b></u></i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:15px;"><i>– 12 Layers: </i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:30px;"><i>L1 – Signal </i><br> 
                                        <i>L2 – GND </i><br> 
                                        <i>L3 – Signal </i><br>
                                        <i>L4 – Signal </i><br> 
                                        <i>L5 – GND </i><br> 
                                        <i>L6 – Powers </i><br> 
                                        <i>L7 – Powers </i><br>
                                        <i>L8 – GND </i><br> 
                                        <i>L9 – Signal</i><br> 
                                        <i>L10 – Signal </i><br> 
                                        <i>L11 – GND </i><br>
                                        <i>L12 – Signal </i><br> 
                                        <i><b>Please suggest stackup.</b></i></p>

        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:15px;"><i>– Required impedances: </i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:30px;"><i><u>Single ended:</u> 50 OHMs (L1 (Ref: L2); L3, L4 (Ref: L2, L5); L9, L10 (Ref: L8, L11); L12 (Ref: L11)) </i><br> 
            <i><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Differential:</span> 70, 90, 100 OHMs (L1 (Ref: L2); L3, L4 (Ref: L2, L5);  L9, L10 (Ref: L8, L11); L12 (Ref: L11)) </i><br> <i><b>Please suggest geometry for impedance controlled tracks: Track width / Gap</b></i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:15px;"><i>– Used VIAs: </i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:30px;"><i><u>Through hole VIA</u>: 0.45mm (pad)
                / 0.2mm (drill),</i><br> <i>Start layer: L1, End layer: L12 </i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:30px;"><i><u>uVIAs:</u> </i><br> 
            <i>Start layer: L1, End layer: L2; 0.27mm (pad) / 0.1mm (laser drilled hole) </i><br>
            <i>Start layer: L2, End layer: L3; 0.27mm (pad) / 0.1mm (laser drilled hole) </i><br>
            <i>Start layer: L10, End layer: L11; 0.27mm (pad) / 0.1mm (laser drilled hole) </i><br>
            <i>Start layer: L11, End layer: L12; 0.27mm (pad) / 0.1mm (laser drilled hole) </i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:30px;"><i><u>Buried VIA:</u> </i><br>
            <i>Start Layer: L3, End layer: L10; 0.45mm (pad) / 0.2mm (drill) </i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:15px;"><i>– Other: </i></p>
        <p style="padding:10px; padding-left:30px;"><i>Minimum track: 0.1mm / Minimum gap: 0.1mm</i><br>
             <i>Board thickness: approximately 1.6mm</i><br> 
             <i>Board size: 40x80mm</i></p>
    </div>
    
    <div class="blog-content">
        <b>2) Design PCB stackup by yourself</b><br>
        Basic information about PCB stackups:
        <ul class="content-list">
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">PCB is build from three basic materials: Copper foil, Prepreg, Core</span></li>
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">Standard Copper foil thickness: 5um, 12um, 18um, 35um, 70um</span></li>
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">Standard prepreg thickness: 65um, 100um, 180um</span></li>
            <li class="content-list-item"><span class="content-text">Standard core thickness: 0.15mm, 0.20mm, 0.36mm, 0.46mm, 0.56mm, 0.71mm, 1mm, 1.2mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.4mm, 3.2mm. Core is supplied with copper foil on both sides. For some cores you need to add copper foil thickness (18um or 35um) to the core thickness.</span></li>
        </ul><br>

        <i>PCB stackup examples</i>
    </div>
    <table>
        <tbody>
            <tr>
                <td>Standard 4 Layer PCB stackup [mm]</td>
                <td>Standard 6 Layer PCB stackup [mm]</td>
                <td>Standard 8 Layer PCB stackup [mm]</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td>Copper foil<br> 0.18 prepreg<br> 0.18 prepreg<br> 0.71 core<br> 0.18 prepreg<br> 0.18 prepreg<br>
                    Copper foil</td>
                <td>Copper foil<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.36 core<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.10 prepreg<br>
                    0.10 prepreg<br> 0.36 core<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> Copper foil</td>
                <td>Copper foil<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.20 core<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.10 prepreg<br>
                    0.20 core<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.20 core<br> 0.10 prepreg<br> 0.10 prepreg<br>
                    Copper foil</td>
            </tr>
        </tbody>
    </table>


    <div class="blog-content-text">
        There are some rules how to build your stackup. Not every combination is possible. Check it out with your PCB manufacturer.<br><br>

        <i>Note: If you calculate impedances for your own stackup, don’t forget about PLATING. Plating process add an additional copper (e.g. 20um)  to top and bottom layer (or if you use uVIAs and buried VIAs, then also to some of the inner layers).</i>
    </div>

    <div class="blog-content">
        <b>PCB impedance calculation and Track geometry design</b><br>
        <u>Example of Microstrip (the tracks on TOP and BOTTOM layers) impedance calculation</u><br>
        90 Ohms Differential / 55 Ohm Single ended for:<br>
        Track width: 11mil / Copper foil 18um (0.7mil) / Track Gap 8 mil / Dielectric thickness 2x 0.1 prepreg = 0.2mm (7.8mil) / material FR-4 (dielectric constant 4.8)<br><br>

        <a href="https://fedevel.com/blog/pcb-impedance-calculator-single-ended-differential-pair/">PCB impedance calculator – Single ended / Differential pair</a>
    </div>
    <div class="blog-content-img-wrapper">
        <img src="https://assets.fedevel.com/blog/2019/10/4d7a9-diff-impedance-90_55.jpg" alt="diff impedance 90_55" />
    </div>

    <div class="blog-content">
        <i><u><b>Tip:</b></u> It’s easy to convert between mm and mils. Use google and look for: “10mil to mm” or “0.2mm to mil”</i>
    </div>

    <div class="blog-content-links">
        <div>
            Links:
        </div>
        <ul class="links-list">
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="https://fedevel.com/blog/pcb-impedance-calculator-single-ended-differential-pair/">PCB impedance calculator – Single ended / Differential pair</a></li>
        </ul>
    </div>  
</div>

How to design PCB stackup

<div class="entry-content">
    <div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><span class="embed-youtube" style="text-align:center; display: block;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k3Dz0KckiSM" class="youtube-player" width="740" height="416.418" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span>
    </div>
    <div class="blog-content">
        The video explains how to create / add a 3D model to a component in Altium Designer PCB layout. Also explains how to add other SYSTEM 3D parts into board model.
    </div>
    <div class="blog-content-links">
        <div>
            Links:
        </div>
        <ul class="links-list">
            <li class="links-list-item"><a href="http://www.fedevel.com/welldoneblog/2011/09/altium-designer-3d-model-and-real-pcb-side-by-side/">Real picture of the PCB from this video</a></li>
        </ul>
    </div>   
</div>


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Tutorial - Custom DIY Keyboard Design and Build | Part 2: Keyboard Schematic

Tutorial - Custom DIY Keyboard Design and Build: Schematic + PCB + Case | Part 1 - RP2040

How to choose PCB?

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