The ZMK AllieCat Sofle is a wireless split ergonomic keyboard featuring 58 keys, RGB underglow, OLED displays, and a rotary encoder. This document provides comprehensive information about the hardware components, specifications, and technical details.
Model : Nice!Nano v2 (or compatible nRF52840-based controllers)
Processor : Nordic nRF52840 ARM Cortex-M4 @ 64MHz
Memory : 1MB Flash, 256KB RAM
Connectivity : Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy
USB : USB-C connector for charging and data
Power : Built-in battery charging circuit
GPIO : 21 available pins for keyboard matrix and peripherals
Model : Nice!View 128x32 OLED displays
Resolution : 128x32 pixels monochrome
Interface : I2C communication
Power : 3.3V operation
Features : Low power consumption, high contrast
Mounting : Direct socket connection to controller
Compatibility : MX-style mechanical switches
Socket Type : Kailh hotswap sockets (5-pin)
Switch Support : 3-pin and 5-pin switches
Actuation : Depends on switch choice (typically 45-80g)
Travel : Standard 4mm total travel, 2mm actuation point
Model : EC11 series rotary encoder
Type : Incremental encoder with push button
Resolution : 20 pulses per revolution (configurable in firmware)
Push Button : SPST momentary switch
Mounting : PCB mounted with securing nut
Shaft : 6mm flatted shaft for knob attachment
LED Type : WS2812B addressable RGB LEDs
Count : 36 LEDs total (18 per half)
Voltage : 5V operation (with level shifting)
Control : Single data line, chainable configuration
Colors : 16.7 million colors (24-bit RGB)
Effects : Multiple built-in effects, customizable
Type : PWM-controlled LED backlight
Control : Software brightness adjustment
Power : External power control via MOSFET
Integration : Coordinated with RGB system
Type : Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) rechargeable
Recommended : 3.7V, 301230 form factor (300mAh)
Connector : JST PH 2.0mm 2-pin connector
Charging : Via USB-C when connected
Protection : Over-discharge protection built-in
Charging IC : Built into Nice!Nano
Charging Current : 100mA (safe for small batteries)
Sleep Mode : Deep sleep with wake-on-keypress
Power Monitoring : Battery level reporting via ADC
Auto-off Features : RGB and display timeout
Mode
Left Half
Right Half
Total
Active (no RGB)
5-8mA
3-5mA
8-13mA
Active (RGB on)
15-50mA
15-50mA
30-100mA
Sleep Mode
50-100ยตA
50-100ยตA
100-200ยตA
Deep Sleep
5-10ยตA
5-10ยตA
10-20ยตA
๐ Physical Specifications
Overall Width : ~320mm (split, separated)
Overall Depth : ~110mm per half
Thickness : ~20mm (without keycaps)
Key Spacing : 19.05mm (0.75") center-to-center
Angle : 5ยฐ built-in tenting angle
Keys : 58 total (29 per half)
Rows : 5 rows per half
Columns : 6-7 columns per half (irregular)
Thumb Cluster : 3 keys per thumb
Encoder : 1 rotary encoder (left half)
Layers : 2-layer PCB construction
Thickness : 1.6mm standard PCB
Surface Finish : HASL or ENIG
Solder Mask : Green (standard)
Silkscreen : White component labels
Protocol : Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Frequency : 2.4GHz ISM band
Range : 10+ meters line-of-sight
Profiles : 5 stored connection profiles
Latency : <10ms typical, <5ms optimized
Pairing : Standard BLE pairing process
Method : Wireless BLE connection between halves
Master : Left half (default configuration)
Slave : Right half receives from left
Synchronization : Real-time key state sharing
Fallback : Independent operation if connection lost
Connector : USB-C on both halves
Function : Charging and data (Studio mode)
Power : 5V input for charging
Data : Serial communication for Studio
Compatibility : USB 2.0 Full Speed
๐งฉ GPIO Pin Assignments
// Matrix scanning
Row 0 : P0 .19 Col 0 : P1 .02
Row 1 : P0 .08 Col 1 : P1 .15
Row 2 : P0 .12 Col 2 : P1 .04
Row 3 : P0 .11 Col 3 : P1 .06
Row 4 : P1 .09 Col 4 : P0 .09
Col 5 : P0 .10
// Peripherals
Encoder A : P1 .10 RGB Data : P1 .12
Encoder B : P1 .14 Backlight : P1 .13
Encoder SW : P1 .11 Ext Power : P0 .13
I2C SDA : P0 .17 Battery : P0 .31
I2C SCL : P0 .20
// Matrix scanning
Row 0 : P0 .19 Col 0 : P1 .02
Row 1 : P0 .08 Col 1 : P1 .15
Row 2 : P0 .12 Col 2 : P1 .04
Row 3 : P0 .11 Col 3 : P1 .06
Row 4 : P1 .09 Col 4 : P0 .09
Col 5 : P0 .10
Col 6 : P1 .11
// Peripherals
RGB Data : P1 .12 I2C SDA : P0 .17
Backlight : P1 .13 I2C SCL : P0 .20
Ext Power : P0 .13 Battery : P0 .31
Required Components (Per Half)
1x Nice!Nano v2 controller
1x Nice!View OLED display
29x Mechanical switches
29x Keycaps
1x Li-Po battery (301230 recommended)
18x WS2812B RGB LEDs
Various resistors, capacitors, and support components
Left Half Additional Components
1x EC11 rotary encoder
1x Encoder knob
Additional support circuitry for encoder
Switch films for improved feel
Stabilizers for larger keys
Foam dampening material
Custom keycap sets
Artisan keycaps
โก Electrical Characteristics
Supply Voltage : 3.0V - 3.6V (battery), 5V (USB)
Operating Temperature : -10ยฐC to +70ยฐC
Storage Temperature : -20ยฐC to +85ยฐC
Humidity : 5% to 95% non-condensing
Logic Level : 3.3V CMOS
Input High : >2.0V
Input Low : <0.8V
Output High : >2.4V @ 4mA
Output Low : <0.4V @ 4mA
Matrix Scan Rate : 1000Hz (1ms)
Debounce Time : 5-8ms (configurable)
BLE Connection Interval : 7.5ms (configurable)
USB Report Rate : 1000Hz when connected
๐ก๏ธ Safety and Compliance
FCC Part 15 : Class B digital device
CE Marking : European conformity
RoHS Compliant : Lead-free construction
Bluetooth SIG : BLE certification
Over-discharge Protection : Battery protection circuit
Short Circuit Protection : USB and power rails
ESD Protection : Input/output pins protected
Thermal Protection : Automatic shutdown on overheating
Matrix Testing : All key positions verified
Connectivity Testing : BLE and USB functionality
Power Testing : Battery charging and consumption
Display Testing : OLED functionality and contrast
RGB Testing : All LEDs for color accuracy
Encoder Testing : Rotation and button function
Key Switch Life : 50+ million actuations
Encoder Life : 30,000 rotation cycles
Battery Cycles : 500+ charge/discharge cycles
Connection Reliability : 99.9% uptime in normal conditions
๐ Firmware Integration
Device Tree : Complete hardware description
GPIO Mapping : All pins defined and labeled
Clock Configuration : Optimized for power and performance
Peripheral Drivers : I2C, SPI, PWM, ADC support
Sleep States : Multiple power saving modes
Wake Sources : Keypress, encoder, USB connection
Power Domains : Independent control of subsystems
Battery Monitoring : Real-time capacity reporting
Key to BLE : 3-8ms average
Key to USB : 1-3ms average
Split Sync : 5-10ms between halves
Encoder Response : <2ms rotation to action
Usage Pattern
RGB Setting
Estimated Life
Light Use
Off
6-12 months
Normal Use
Low brightness
2-4 months
Heavy Use
Medium brightness
1-2 months
Gaming
High brightness
2-4 weeks
๐ ๏ธ Customization Options
Switch Films : Improve switch feel and sound
Gasket Mounting : Enhanced typing experience
Foam Dampening : Sound dampening materials
Weight Addition : Increased keyboard heft
Keymap Changes : Layout modifications
RGB Effects : Custom lighting patterns
Encoder Functions : Application-specific controls
Power Settings : Battery life optimization
๐ Compatibility Matrix
Controller
Compatible
Notes
Nice!Nano v2
โ
Yes
Recommended, full feature support
Nice!Nano v1
โ ๏ธ Limited
Missing some features
Pro Micro
โ No
No wireless capability
Elite-C
โ No
No wireless capability
Display
Compatible
Notes
Nice!View
โ
Yes
Recommended, optimized support
Generic OLED
โ ๏ธ Limited
May require firmware changes
No Display
โ
Yes
Fully functional without display
For technical support or hardware questions , contact [email protected] or consult the ZMK Documentation for firmware-related information.