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ErgoBlue 2 Bridge PCB

The bridge PCB "bridges" the microprocessor and wireless module with the rest of the keyboard. They are not soldered directly to the keyboard PCB so they can be changed separately from the rest of the keyboard. There are several different options, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Advanced users can even design their own bridge PCB if they want to use a different combination that is not listed here.

Which should I choose?

There are two main variants, one using the Nordic nRF52840 Dongle and the other using the Fanstel nRF52810 module. For most builders I would recommend Nordic nRF52840 Dongle.

I will likely begin selling assembled bridge PCBs in late 2020 or early 2021. Users who are less comfortable with soldering should inquire about this possibility.

Nordic nRF52840 Dongle

The Nordic nRF52840 Dongle is recommended for users with some level of familiarity with soldering.

• Soldering: Some moderate soldering is required. It is necessary to solder a through hole USB C connector, a couple of surface mount components, and the dongle itself. I was able to do all of it despite my limited soldering experience. See assembly video to get a sense of the difficulty.
• Power consumption: The board uses around 40uA and the battery life is around 8 months with a 400mAh LiPoly battery.
• Battery: The battery must be between 2.4V and 5V so it can be a single 3.7V LiPoly battery or two AAA batteries in series.

When assembling, you may want to reference the PCB layout and schematic.

Fanstel nRF52810 Module

The Fanstel nRF52810 module is recommended for advanced users that are experienced in soldering and have familiarity with embedded development. I anticipate that few users will opt for this option and therefore it's not documented as thoroughly. Those who are interested in building the keyboard with this module should inquire specifically about it when purchasing a PCB.

• Soldering: Several surface mount components are required.
• Power consumption: The board uses around 10uA and the battery life is around 4 years with two 750mAh Eneloop AAA batteries.
• Battery: The battery must be at most 3.6V so two AAA batteries in series is recommended.
• Setup: This needs to be programmed with a SEGGER J-Link, which is a tool for more advanced users.

When assembling, you may want to reference the PCB layout and schematic.

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