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【IC】Doddle60, a 60% plain-style ISO-only PC ("GB" fulfilled, thread closed)

类型: IC
作者: Gondolindrim
发布时间: 2019-10-22 07:52:58
更新时间: 2020-06-21 11:55:06
原链接: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=103057.0



Doddle. British slang for something easily accomplished.
Usage example: Mate, that homework was a complete doddle to do!
Hi there guys!
This is actually my second IC and I’d like some community feedback.
As I’m not a prominent community member, I first present myself. I’m Gondolindrim, a Brazilian mech enthusiast and PCB designer.
Long story short, as you guys know there is a big space in the hobby for what has been called “plain-style” PCBs, which most common characteristic is the limited layout compatibility and features, in order to make an easy-to-build PCB. Unfortunately only ANSI versions are available as ISO layouts are often discarded for the little parcentage of the hobby it represents. As such, I have been receiving many requests from our fellow european clackers to make a plain ISO 60% PCB. Some weeks ago I reached out to Jae, from TopClack, who is an open advocate of ISO compatibility, and he suggested the compatible layouts.
The PCB
The PCB has some nice features to it, despite its simple nature:

  • USBC connector;

  • ESD protection on data lines;

  • TVS (Transient Voltage Suppression) on power lines, protecting the PCB from voltage spikes;

  • Full digital power rails isolation and filtering, stabilizing MCU voltage and avoiding power bugs;

  • Data lines differential pair impedance matching through differential-coupled ferrite core choke;

  • Cable shield discharge protection;

  • Overvoltage and overcurrent protection;

  • Current inrush protection from metallic cases;

  • ARM STM32F072 processor; all unused pins are broken out so that the user can expand the PCB in any way;

  • Universal screw holes “Poker 60%” format, making it compatible with most 60% cases;

  • First backers will get a version in which “pre-Alpha revision” is expressly written.
    As all the PCBs in my open-project Acheron, the Doddle60 is open-source. It features an ARM STM32F072 processor and flex cuts. I have a maximum of 10 units for this IC as I will assemble them myself by hand.
    You can access the files at the Github repository https://github.com/Gondolindrim/Doddle60.
    The name “Doddle” was suggested by Jae, as a nod to the fact that the PCB features few layouts and has the philosophy of being simple.
    The PCB documentation will be found at the AcheronDocs page http://gondolindrim.github.io/AcheronDocs, where all documentation for the Acheron Project PCBs are. As of today the Doddle60 does not have a page, but I’ll add it shortly once I prototype them.
    The PCB is QMK compatible. VIA compatibility is not an option at this time as VIA is not accepting new boards right now, but in the future maybe they will open up again and, if they do, I will try to make it compatible.
    Supported layouts
    See the below image for the proposed layouts.

    Preliminary PCB renders
    Renders obtained through tracespace.io website.


    Purpose of this IC
    Since I need to prototype the PCB and the MOQ of the PCB manufacturer is 5 units, some units would be left orphaned. The problem is I don’t know 5 ISO users that can make proper use of this PCB. My idea is to send Jae one and keep one for me. So the idea is to gather 5-10 people that would be interested in funding the prototypes, and I’ll send them assembled prototype PCBs. Each will cost around 30 USD plus shipping. I’m not making a profit of this whatsoever, I just need the prototyping money.
    All I ask is that whoever gets and builds the PCB give me constructive feedback on ease to build, compatibility, and general ideas to make the PCB better.
    What I need help with is I don’t have an EU proxy to send the PCBs from, so I really need a volunteer to whom I can send a batch of PCBs and that person would redirect them to the funders. Of course all shipping expenses will be covered by each funder, and we can aggree to pay the volunteer for his or her time. Also of course the volunteer will be cited in the PCB acknowledgements page.
    And of course, this IC can also be used for feedback on the ideas of this PCB, and the layouts and features supported.
    FAQ

  • Is there an ANSI plain-style PCB? Yes, two of them in fact. One is the ArcticPCB (named after another brazilian enthusiast ArcticFox), and the other is KeebsPCB (named after our brazilian mech streamer MrKeebs), which is hotswap.

  • But… why? As the user of another endemic layout (the brazilian ABNT), I know how it is to not have your preferred choice supported. I have had some harsh feedback on PCBs, specially the Austin, where people went nuts because there was NE ISO avail. As it turns out I think ISO users don’t get enough love, so here is my token of appreciation for our EU brothers and specially to Jae, who has helped me immensely through some of my difficult times in the community.

  • How to reach you? See https://gondolindrim.github.io/AcheronDocs/overview.html/#how-to-reach-gondolindrim. Preferably through Discord. Do not send Geehack or Reddit PMs as I don’t linger on those platforms much anymore.
    Form
    If you are considering backing the protos, below is the link for the form. Please read the warnings carefully and fulfill the fields. Suggestions are always appreciated. The form will be open for a week, and I will close it at 30/10 13:00 CEST.
    https://forms.gle/9WzokwmEoJAaj6oF8
    Updates

  • 10/22/2019 There was a big number of requests for a split right shift. I will incorporate that suggestion shortly.

  • 10/23/2019 Added IC form for participants to get in.

  • 10/25/2019 Added split right shift compatibility and 2.25U left shift for US-ISO layout

  • 11/11/2019 Published the pre-Release Alpha at https://github.com/Gondolindrim/Doddle60/releases/tag/preAlpha. I will stream the prototypes ordering and its components tomorrow 12/11/2019 at 6PM BRT / 9PM GMT.

  • 11/20/2019 PCBs were ordered

  • 12/03/2019 Components were ordered

  • 12/29/2019 PCBs arrived in Brazil and are passing through fiscalization and customs

  • 01/14/2020 Components arrived in Brazil and are passing through fiscalization and customs

  • 01/14/2020 Both PCBs and components are still in customs. I have received some feedback from friends in the IRS that the shipment flux is unpredictably high this year and they will take longer than expected to deliver. I think I should have PCBs by mid february and components by start march.

  • 01/29/2020 Due to the coronavirus spreading, brazilian customs is taking longer than expected and governmet is considering halting the shipments from China until Health Ministry decision. This happened because there were almost a dozen Coronavirus suspected cases in Brazil. Will keep you guys posted.

  • 03/03/2020 PCBs arrived.

  • 03/18/2020 Components arrived.

  • 03/25/2020 First one was built. Firmware checks, works perfectly. Will assemble and QC the rest.

  • 04/22/2020 All 15 PCBs built. Will ship to Jae soon; COVID-19 lockdown might be an issue.

  • 04/28/2020 PCBs shipped to Jae.

  • 05/04/2020 PCBs left Brazil and are en route to UK.

  • 05/30/2020 Jae received the PCB, will test and ship them next week.

  • 06/03/2020 PCBs were shipped!.

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