OpenDeck-RP2040-v0

OpenDeck-RP2040-v0 is an early hardware prototype of a DIY macro pad inspired by the Elgato Stream Deck.
This project represents my first-ever hardware design, created as a learning experiment using KiCad with no prior background in electronics or PCB design.

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Project Overview

The goal of this project was to explore the fundamentals of hardware design, including schematic capture, PCB layout, and basic I/O expansion using a microcontroller.

At the time of creation(2025), I had no formal knowledge of electronics. I downloaded KiCad, had the concept of a Stream Deck–style device in mind, and designed this board through experimentation and self-learning. The result is a functional concept design rather than a finished or production-ready product.

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Hardware Summary

• Microcontroller: Seeed XIAO RP2040
• Button input expansion: PCF8574 (I²C I/O expander)
• LED output expansion: 74HC595 (shift register)
• Inputs: 9 tactile push buttons
• Outputs: 9 individual LED indicators
• Interface: USB (via RP2040)

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Design Files & Visuals

Schematic

PCB Layout

3D Render

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Repository Contents

• KiCad schematic and PCB files
• Custom symbols, footprints, and 3D models
• Project documentation
• No finalized firmware
• No enclosure or mechanical design

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Project Status

Status: Incomplete / Prototype (v0)

• Firmware was never completed
• Hardware was not extensively tested
• Design was not revised after the initial version
• This version is considered frozen

I may revisit this concept in the future. Any continued development or improvements will be done in a separate repository (v2).
This repository will remain unchanged as an archive of the original prototype.

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Motivation

This project was inspired by the Elgato Stream Deck.
It was created purely as a learning exercise to understand how an idea could be translated into a real PCB using KiCad, without prior experience in hardware design.

The intent was exploration, not perfection.

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Disclaimer

This design is experimental and provided for reference purposes only.
It is not guaranteed to function as intended and is not suitable for production use.

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.