DIY Wireless Keyboard with Logitech K230 Mod

If you're curious about building your own mechanical keyboard using the onboard controller from a Logitech K230, this article might just be what you need.

So, you've always wanted a compact, wireless mechanical keyboard—but don't feel like buying a prebuilt one? Why not DIY it? All you need is the Logitech K230 controller, which conveniently supports Unifying wireless.

Step 1: Start by reverse-engineering the board. Strip off the green solder mask, identify all component positions and traces using CAD, and then recreate the layout exactly in your PCB design software.

Step 2: Once your custom board is fabricated, it's time to transfer all the components onto it, like in the photo below.

Step 3: After soldering the components, run some signal and actuation tests on the controller. If everything checks out, you're good to move forward.

Step 4: With the controller working properly, you can integrate it directly into your board layout. Consider adding a TP4056 charging circuit. You won't need a separate battery protection module, since polymer batteries usually come with built-in protection boards.

You'll also want a voltage regulator to drop 2.5–5V down to 3.0V for the controller. If you're worried about signal interference, you can skip full ground plane coverage on the PCB.

Step 5: Once the board is ready, go ahead and solder everything in place. Reference the photo below if needed.

Step 6: After soldering, use tweezers to short the test points and make sure everything works as expected.

Step 7: Finally, design and assemble the case. And you're done.

Congrats—you've built your own wireless mechanical keyboard!