Ursa Minor Keyboard

This repository contains design and schematic files for the usra-minor keyboard design.

Handwired

This directory contains the design files used to create the initial prototype of the tryptris keyboard. You can find a design/build guide on my blog:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3

v01

This directory contains the first drafts of the PCB based build. I've completed design on two variants. Both have been printed and tested. A few defects were found in the v01/bling board. These defects have been corrected. I've posted a longer article on the design and production.

Notable Features

• Single MCU - Instead of dual microcontrollers, this design uses only a microcontroller and IO expander pairing. This lets more cost effective components be used and only requires a single flash operation when updating firmware.
• Thumb Arc The thumb cluster follows the thumb's natural arc, and all keys are reachable in 1u of space. Unlike many thumb arcs, this one requires no reaching under the palm.
• No Frills, or Frills The base model has a simple stripped down keyboard. It has no lights, no encoders, just 58 switches and wires. The bling model includes support for per-key RGB.

v01/base

🖨Printed, ✅Tested

This is a basic board design. It has has no frills and a smaller parts list. The intention is that it used caseless with self-adhesive feet, or directly on a desk.

v01/bling

🖨Printed, ✅Tested

This design builds on caseless foundatin of the v01/base and adds per-key RGB lighting via RGB matrix drivers over I2C. Like the base board it is intended to be used caseless.

v01/bling-case

🏗Work In Progress

This board is a distinct design from v01/bling & v01/base. It is intended to be used with a switch plate and hollow body case.

Firmware

Firmware for the v01/base and v01/bling can be found [in my QMK fork][https://github.com/markstory/qmk_firmare/tree/ursa-minor-v1].

FAQ

Why Ursa Minor?

The keypad shape and thumb arc remind me of Ursa Minor.