total time (so far): 32 hrs

Journal of Changes

22 May 2025 - Keymap

Initial draft of the alpha layer (note: will probably not use qwerty because most frequently used letters should only require one keypress)

Explanation: - Press Q for Q - Press Q and Z for A - Press Q, E, Z, and C for S

(a bit of a weird system but its kinda cool)

Time spent: 30 mins

24 May 2025 - Schematic

1st draft of the schematic - hoping it doesn't blow up :)

Time spent: 3 hrs

2nd draft - removed some unnecessary voltage sensing circuitry

Time spent: 1 hr

29 May 2025 - PCB Routing

@koeg on Slack has told me that my schematic is ok :)

Removed the really expensive debug connector and replaced it with a normal 6 pin ICSP header

Also routed the PCB

Time spent: 4.5 hrs

30 May 2025 - PCB Review, starting v2

@koeg has reviewed my PCB (tysm), added a ground and 5V plane, so restarted routing

Time spent: 3 hrs

31 May 2025 - PCB Review, v2

A new day, a new PCB iteration

Finished 2nd draft of PCB, awaiting review

Time spent: 3 hrs

1 June - 13 June 2025 - Exams (not an actual journal entry)

:|

13 June 2025 - PCB Review, v3

Finally back from exams, and I have a new PCB revision! Now using 2 layers instead of 4, which is much cheaper :). Also realised that I could put components behind the switches, so I did that. It is much smaller now.

Time spent: 4 hrs

16 June 2025 - PCB Review, v3.1, Case, BOM part 1

A few minor changes with routing, modelled the case, and started researching for parts to use in the BOM

Time spent: 5 hrs

17 June 2025 - BOM part 2

Added the rest of the BOM, and also added some links to parts that I will need to source myself Also calculated the cost of the BOM, which is around $55 USD (excluding shipping) (it took way too long to find the JST PH connectors)

Time spent: 3 hrs

19 June 2025 - Firmware

Made firmware for the keyboard using ZMK.

Honestly I have no idea whether it works or not, but I guess I will find out when I get the parts.

Time spent: 5 hrs