RGBoard
An RP2040-based devboard that I'm making to improve my PCB design skills, now with an integrated Neopixel!
Created by
Sidd 🚀
Tier 3
8 views
0 followers
CAN ⚡🚀
approved RGBoard ago
Tier approved: 3
Grant approved: $56.00
Nice project
Sidd 🚀
submitted RGBoard for review ago
zsharpminor
requested changes for RGBoard ago
Hi Sidd! This is really cool - but could you show the parts you're using for PCBA (i.e. a screenshot from JLCPCB with prices)? Otherwise, nice project!
Sidd 🚀
submitted RGBoard for review ago
Sidd 🚀
added to the journal ago
Added in firmware/updated repo
-Added 3d render to repo
-Added KiCad files to repo
-Made firmware + added to repo
The firmware makes the integrated neopixel cycle between colors of the rainbow.
technical_.
requested changes for RGBoard ago
A final 3d render image of your PCB is needed in your read.me!
In addition, your KiCAD files, such as .pro, .pcb, .sch are also needed to be in the repo.
Firmware is also needed, but it can be simple as a blinky program.
Otherwise nice job!
Sidd 🚀
submitted RGBoard for review ago
Sidd 🚀
added to the journal ago
Finished!
After finding out that there was actually a whole new tab of DRC errors that I didn't click and getting ragebaited for hours on end I am finally done. This was quite the experience and I think it was definitely worth it so I can make custom boards for all of my projects now.
Sidd 🚀
added to the journal ago
Fixed DRC errors
I fixed all DRC errors except for the connection to the ground fill ones since I changed the clearance and thermal relief gap to 0.3mm from 0.5mm from the tutorial to fix that.
Sidd 🚀
added to the journal ago
Did the rest of the routing
Basically just did the rest of the extremely tedious routing. I learned that I hate routing very much and I will restate this until the end of time. But yeah I finished all the routing and placement and everything. However, I got like 35 errors so I gotta fix those.
Sidd 🚀
added to the journal ago
Did layout and a bit of routing
First I had to change out a couple components as they were too big, and then I did the layout for most of the board except for a few resistors. I did a bit of routing as well and learned about differential pairs. I learned that routing is actually the worst thing ever and I'm gonna spend like the next 3 hours doing this.
Sidd 🚀
added to the journal ago
Assigned footprints
Assignment of footprints was surprisingly easy and I had no trouble finding my 2x2 headers and neopixel footprints as well. Took a bit of time, but I got it finished.
Sidd 🚀
added to the journal ago
Added in a couple nice-to-haves
I always find myself running out of power pins on a devboard, so I added in 4 more GND headers, 2 VBUS headers, and 2 3V headers. I also added a neopixel that uses the unused GPIO25 so that it can have some integrated control/indicator.
Sidd 🚀
added to the journal ago
Finished schematic
Used the guide to make the schematic. I added in the USB C, regulator, decoupling capacitors, RP2040, header pins, flash memory, and crystal. It was actually pretty easy and simple with the guide and I think I did everything right.
Sidd 🚀
started RGBoard ago
12/25/2025 1:43 PM - Finished schematic
Used the guide to make the schematic. I added in the USB C, regulator, decoupling capacitors, RP2040, header pins, flash memory, and crystal. It was actually pretty easy and simple with the guide and I think I did everything right.
12/25/2025 1:54 PM - Added in a couple nice-to-haves
I always find myself running out of power pins on a devboard, so I added in 4 more GND headers, 2 VBUS headers, and 2 3V headers. I also added a neopixel that uses the unused GPIO25 so that it can have some integrated control/indicator.
12/25/2025 2 PM - Assigned footprints
Assignment of footprints was surprisingly easy and I had no trouble finding my 2x2 headers and neopixel footprints as well. Took a bit of time, but I got it finished.
12/25/2025 8 PM - Did layout and a bit of routing
First I had to change out a couple components as they were too big, and then I did the layout for most of the board except for a few resistors. I did a bit of routing as well and learned about differential pairs. I learned that routing is actually the worst thing ever and I'm gonna spend like the next 3 hours doing this.
12/26/2025 - Did the rest of the routing
Basically just did the rest of the extremely tedious routing. I learned that I hate routing very much and I will restate this until the end of time. But yeah I finished all the routing and placement and everything. However, I got like 35 errors so I gotta fix those.
12/27/2025 9 AM - Fixed DRC errors
I fixed all DRC errors except for the connection to the ground fill ones since I changed the clearance and thermal relief gap to 0.3mm from 0.5mm from the tutorial to fix that.
12/27/2025 2 PM - Finished!
After finding out that there was actually a whole new tab of DRC errors that I didn't click and getting ragebaited for hours on end I am finally done. This was quite the experience and I think it was definitely worth it so I can make custom boards for all of my projects now.
12/28/2025 - Added in firmware/updated repo
-Added 3d render to repo
-Added KiCad files to repo
-Made firmware + added to repo
The firmware makes the integrated neopixel cycle between colors of the rainbow.