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https://github.com/system76/launch

System76 Launch Configurable Keyboard
https://github.com/system76/launch

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System76 Launch Configurable Keyboard

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README 

        
# System76 Launch Configurable Keyboard



The System76 Launch Configurable Keyboard is designed to provide the ultimate

user controlled keyboard experience, with open source mechanical and electrical

design, open source firmware and associated software, and a large number of

user configuration opportunities. It is registered open source hardware with

[OSHWA UID US001062](https://certification.oshwa.org/us001062.html).



- [Mechanical Design](#mechanical-design)

- [Electrical Design](#electrical-design)

- [Firmware and Software](#firmware-and-software)



## Mechanical Design



![Chassis Image](./chassis/launch/launch-chassis.png)



### Open Source Chassis



The Launch chassis is licensed CC-BY-SA-4.0 and can be viewed in the

[chassis](./chassis/) folder using [FreeCAD](https://www.freecadweb.org/).



### Milled Aluminum



The chassis is milled from two solid blocks of aluminum and powder coated to

provide excellent fit and finish. Each pocket, port, and hole is designed and

precisely machined so that swapping switches and plugging in cables is easy and

secure for the user.



### Detachable Lift Bar



The included lift bar can be magnetically secured to add 15 degrees of angle to

your keyboard for ergonomics.



### Innovative Layout



The layout is designed to provide a large number of remapping opportunities.

The default layout can be viewed

[here](http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/8ec5e9026d616ebad6b2c7e9d943e7c0),

and the extra keys included can be viewed

[here](http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/a3ad8710b27f78fd938077b2bf6d3ef5).



### Swappable Keycaps



The keycaps are PBT material with a dye sublimation legend and XDA profile to

provide excellent feel and lifespan. Extras are provided for common replacements

and color preference. An included keycap puller can be used to move and replace

the keycaps.



### Swappable Switches



The switches are mounted in sockets that support any RGB switch with an MX

compatible footprint. Examples are the Cherry MX RGB switches and the Kailh

BOX switches. Switches can be removed easily at any time with the included

switch puller.



## Electrical Design



![PCB Image](./pcb/launch-pcb.png)



### Open Source PCB



The Launch PCB is licensed GPLv3 and can be viewed in the

[pcb](./pcb/) folder using [KiCad](https://kicad.org/).



### Integrated Dock



Launch connects to a computer using the included USB-C to USB-C cable or USB-C

to USB-A cable. It supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 with speeds up to 10 Gbps with either

cable, provided the computer supports these speeds. It provides 2 USB-C and 2

USB-A connectors that also support USB 3.2 Gen 2, with the 10 Gbps bandwidth

shared between them on demand.



### Independent RGB Lighting



Each switch has an RGB LED that is independently controlled by firmware. This

allows for a number of RGB LED patterns to be selected.



### N-Key Rollover



The keyboard matrix uses diodes on all intersections, providing full independent

scanning of each key position.



## Firmware and Software



### Open Source Firmware



The Launch firmware is based on [QMK](https://github.com/system76/qmk_firmware),

licensed GPLv2, and the latest version is linked in the `firmware` submodule.



### Open Source Software



Projects that integrate with Launch are open source software, such as the

[System76 Keyboard Configurator](https://github.com/pop-os/keyboard-configurator),

licensed GPLv3, and [fwupd](https://github.com/fwupd/fwupd/), licensed LGPLv2.1.



### Easy Remapping



The keyboard can be remapped at runtime using the

[System76 Keyboard Configurator](https://github.com/pop-os/keyboard-configurator).

This utility runs on Linux, Mac OS, and Windows.



### Firmware Updates



Firmware updates are supported through the

[fwupd](https://github.com/fwupd/fwupd/) project, and are distributed using the

related Linux Vendor Firmware Service. Settings are stored on EEPROM and are

maintained through firmware updates.