This project includes the PCB design and the QMK default files for replacing a Kinesis Advantage/Contoured keyboard with a Raspberry Pi RP2040 Pico MCU.
Credit goes to Michael Stapelberg for the original KinT PCB as well as Ming-Gih Lam for developing several key changes:
- Michael Stapelberg's KinT project (blog)
- Ming-Gih Lam's pillzmod project
The pillzmod version was especially useful in a few key changes. I borrowed the following:
- Changing the KinT's usage of SMD LED's and resistors to use through-hole components.
- Moving the main keywell FFC/FPC connectors and utilizing a combo footprint to be useable on later Advantage series (KB500 and KB600 variants utilizing the FFC cables) as well as older (Classic and Essential) Contoured series that connect directly to the board.
I have built several of these boards using cheaper RP2040 MCU's from Tenstar Robot on Aliexpress, mainly due to the cheaper price as well as the USB-C connector. The pinout is the same as the official Raspberry Pi Pico, but as I have never used one, I can only vouch for it working with the Aliexpress ones (which are also available on Amazon). Just to be safe, I did not use GP23 and GP29, which are the two GPIO pins that are available on the Tenstar Robot version but not available on the official Raspberry Pi Pico.
Here is the pinout of the Tenstar Robot version:
Here is the pinout of the official version:
The default QMK configuration and keymap is a standard QWERTY layout, and includes all 4 LED's. The keypad LED is linked to the keypad button on the F-row, and corresponds to the second layer. The program button only works on this second layer to avoid accidentally programming the keyboard. Once you are on the second layer, simply press the program keyboard, and you will be able to flash your uf2 file.
I have exported the PCB gerber files according to JLCPCB's recommended settings and have ordered and tested the files. The included zip file should work just fine for ordering, but feel free to check out the KiCAD files and generate your own gerber files.
| Position | Description | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| J1-J4 | Molex 39-53-2135 | 2 - 6 | Link |
| J3-J4 | Molex 39-53-2134 | 0 - 2 | Contoured only, Link |
| U1 | Header pins (1x20) | 2 | Should come with dev board |
| D1-D4 | 3.0mm LED | 4 | Amazon |
| R1-R4 | various resistors | 4 | Affects brightness |
Additional notes: The pillzmod version used 1.8mm LED's, but the 3mm ones fit as well. Since I used different color LED's, I used different resistors each. After testing with a 3.3V supply, this worked for me:
- Pink LED: 1K resistor
- Green LED: 3.9K resistor
- Blue LED: 2.2K resistor
- Light Green LED: 100 Ohm resistor
Please see the KinT and pillzmod projects for more details on parts and ideas for cable management.
