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Topic: Community Miner Design Discussion - page 11. (Read 34221 times)

full member
Activity: 126
Merit: 100
March 28, 2016, 12:35:48 PM
So, as mentioned earlier, the proof-of-concept I'm working on now is based on the Avalon A3218. As there isn't a publicly-available datasheet on the A3218, I'm assuming the protocol works about the same as documented in the A3222 datashet.

So today I started setting up a test rig to establish SPI communication with one of the chips. But I need to know what data to send it. If anyone's got advice on this, I'd be happy to hear it.

Specifically, stuff like the A3222 datasheet gives three clock configuration segments, but I don't know why. And especially a means of calculating the midstate and other preprocessed values (a0, e0, etc). I'm spending time parsing through cgminer code, but by now there's a heck of a lot of cgminer code to look through and I figure surely after 3 years of Avalon products in the wild someone knows how those calculations work. Mostly I just need a valid sample I can push to the chip and see if it talks back with something that seems in any way "correct".

And yes, if it helps motivate someone to assist a bit, I will try to implement an A3218 stickminer based around this work.
Hi,
I've always used MCU to communicate with Avalon chips.
A3222 was similar to gen 2 and 3
I can dig for the code for 3222 I'll be able to do this in my old lab
It is a firmware cod in C
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 1859
Curmudgeonly hardware guy
March 28, 2016, 12:04:09 PM
Also - and yes this is off topic so I'll keep it short - but if any of you trusted guys feel like lending me some dollars to help get a project or two underway in the short term, send a PM and we can discuss terms. I hate asking (y'all know I hate asking) but I'm in a bit of a bind at present and could use some help.
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 1859
Curmudgeonly hardware guy
March 27, 2016, 10:52:58 PM
Additionally, https://github.com/FrankBuss/gandalf-minder/blob/master/scripts/avalonHashData.py

This was attached to an A3255 project from about two years ago, and was tested to work. Being python it's not terribly useful for anything I'd ever want to do, but I can use it as an algorithmic reference for how to generate the required hash data that gets passed into the Avalon chip. Assuming the structure hasn't changed, but according to datasheets it was the same for the first 4 generations. Of course, the returned nonce offset and endianness of everything changed several times between A3256 and A3222 so it'll be a crapshoot manipulating test values until I get something back that actually makes sense. Assuming the chip I have works.

Maybe tomorrow I'll make some headway.
legendary
Activity: 1624
Merit: 1130
Bitcoin FTW!
March 27, 2016, 07:19:18 PM
So, as mentioned earlier, the proof-of-concept I'm working on now is based on the Avalon A3218. As there isn't a publicly-available datasheet on the A3218, I'm assuming the protocol works about the same as documented in the A3222 datashet.

So today I started setting up a test rig to establish SPI communication with one of the chips. But I need to know what data to send it. If anyone's got advice on this, I'd be happy to hear it.

Specifically, stuff like the A3222 datasheet gives three clock configuration segments, but I don't know why. And especially a means of calculating the midstate and other preprocessed values (a0, e0, etc). I'm spending time parsing through cgminer code, but by now there's a heck of a lot of cgminer code to look through and I figure surely after 3 years of Avalon products in the wild someone knows how those calculations work. Mostly I just need a valid sample I can push to the chip and see if it talks back with something that seems in any way "correct".

And yes, if it helps motivate someone to assist a bit, I will try to implement an A3218 stickminer based around this work.
I absolutely LOVE stickminers!!! So excited to hear about your newest ideas, it looks like my old pentium m laptop with a 20 port usb hub is coming back soon. Loving this progress, i'm sure a product will come soon and will crush all current gen miners. Smiley I have a weird obsession with stickminers, I bought 50 U1s when they came out and sold them later for a S5. Stickminer club FTW! Best thread in the entire forum, will keep stalking this thread around and drink some virtual coffee waiting for something to buy. Cheesy
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 1859
Curmudgeonly hardware guy
March 27, 2016, 07:04:09 PM
So, as mentioned earlier, the proof-of-concept I'm working on now is based on the Avalon A3218. As there isn't a publicly-available datasheet on the A3218, I'm assuming the protocol works about the same as documented in the A3222 datashet.

So today I started setting up a test rig to establish SPI communication with one of the chips. But I need to know what data to send it. If anyone's got advice on this, I'd be happy to hear it.

Specifically, stuff like the A3222 datasheet gives three clock configuration segments, but I don't know why. And especially a means of calculating the midstate and other preprocessed values (a0, e0, etc). I'm spending time parsing through cgminer code, but by now there's a heck of a lot of cgminer code to look through and I figure surely after 3 years of Avalon products in the wild someone knows how those calculations work. Mostly I just need a valid sample I can push to the chip and see if it talks back with something that seems in any way "correct".

And yes, if it helps motivate someone to assist a bit, I will try to implement an A3218 stickminer based around this work.
hero member
Activity: 572
Merit: 506
March 26, 2016, 02:14:59 PM
Nothing official, only rumors Wink

I like thouse runors then  Grin
full member
Activity: 126
Merit: 100
March 26, 2016, 01:49:57 PM
Nothing official, only rumors Wink
legendary
Activity: 2464
Merit: 1710
Electrical engineer. Mining since 2014.
March 26, 2016, 11:35:27 AM
Any news from mr. Punin of BFSB Finland Oy?
sr. member
Activity: 302
Merit: 250
Never before 11 P.M.
March 25, 2016, 10:22:53 AM
Figured it was worth asking as i have a few s5s laying around and have seen a few older stock going for insanely low prices cus they are only 1/2 hashing or somehow damaged on the boards. wanted to snatch up a few before you released your hardware and they were snapped up by everyone here.

wouldnt mind grabbing a c1 to play with. wonder if the old water cooler could keep up with the heat from new chips.

I just picked up a guys mini-farm of C1's, and boy am I glad I did now.  Parting a couple of them paid for themselves, fixed my other older tech and started slapping on water blocks to everything, haha.  I have 4-6 extra not running at the moment if you're interested, just PM me.

The idea of upgrading the blades in the C1's is beautiful.  I use a singular 720*1080 radiator for my dual S5 water cooled unit, so I really see no issue using a similar style to this with the C1 but simply adding a little more radiator space, or even simply equipping a push-pull fan system per 360*180 radiator.
sr. member
Activity: 504
Merit: 250
Don't you looooooove how offensive my name sounds?
March 24, 2016, 09:12:26 PM
Actually it's taking over the GekkoScience TypeZero project, from which I guess both the pod and Compac were tangents. It's possible the A3218 test board could become a product, but since Avalon ain't selling chips and working with pulls sucks, it's just as possible it won't. But I'm really hoping the full S1-refit boards with Bitfury chips happens in full.

apologies for the ignorance but i have followed the thread with excitement for a while now

does this mean the project will now focus only on re-fits?
i only ask as i was one who was hoping for a pod or new sticks from you, i dont have old equipment to re-fit myself

once again, sorry for the ignorance , just wondering Wink
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 1859
Curmudgeonly hardware guy
March 24, 2016, 03:08:35 PM
Actually it's taking over the GekkoScience TypeZero project, from which I guess both the pod and Compac were tangents. It's possible the A3218 test board could become a product, but since Avalon ain't selling chips and working with pulls sucks, it's just as possible it won't. But I'm really hoping the full S1-refit boards with Bitfury chips happens in full.
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1000
March 24, 2016, 02:34:15 PM
Right now I'm hoping to have the Avalon test board prototype PCBs ordered by Friday. I should have the layout finished today, and tomorrow I'll do some verifying. I might also have a stickminer PCB prototype to add to the order; we'll see.

Wow, I can't believe I have missed this thread until now.  Looks like this is replacing the gekko science pod miner then?  Way cool, I will follow this thread anxiously as I have both and S1 and S3 that I am not using, as well as an S5 that I was going to have hosted but will now hold off until these update boards are ready.  Wicked.
hero member
Activity: 868
Merit: 1000
March 23, 2016, 05:32:49 PM
U R the "Man"
I need to start saving my BTc again.
legendary
Activity: 1414
Merit: 1077
March 23, 2016, 05:21:13 PM
Nope. I think CK's a bit out of my budget, and I don't have any hardware yet for Luke to work on. Once I have enough of the new controls set specified and some base code down (including workable firmware) maybe I can get him something.

Right now I'm hoping to have the Avalon test board prototype PCBs ordered by Friday. I should have the layout finished today, and tomorrow I'll do some verifying. I might also have a stickminer PCB prototype to add to the order; we'll see.

This is some EPIC news  Grin

I agree this is great news Smiley.
legendary
Activity: 1638
Merit: 1005
March 23, 2016, 05:19:07 PM
Nope. I think CK's a bit out of my budget, and I don't have any hardware yet for Luke to work on. Once I have enough of the new controls set specified and some base code down (including workable firmware) maybe I can get him something.

Right now I'm hoping to have the Avalon test board prototype PCBs ordered by Friday. I should have the layout finished today, and tomorrow I'll do some verifying. I might also have a stickminer PCB prototype to add to the order; we'll see.

This is some EPIC news  Grin
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 1859
Curmudgeonly hardware guy
March 23, 2016, 05:14:33 PM
Nope. I think CK's a bit out of my budget, and I don't have any hardware yet for Luke to work on. Once I have enough of the new controls set specified and some base code down (including workable firmware) maybe I can get him something.

Right now I'm hoping to have the Avalon test board prototype PCBs ordered by Friday. I should have the layout finished today, and tomorrow I'll do some verifying. I might also have a stickminer PCB prototype to add to the order; we'll see.
hero member
Activity: 868
Merit: 1000
March 23, 2016, 05:00:43 PM
USB-B cables.................check
S1/S3 chasis..with fans....check
Pi's and mini PC's............check
USB2 hubs.....................check
what else do we need?

Are Luke-Jr  & CK on side for mining software?

And a final

              "COME ON BITFURY"   (chant)
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 1859
Curmudgeonly hardware guy
March 23, 2016, 02:33:14 PM
Yes. People ran S5 boards on 'em, and my boards will stock at lower power dissipation than an S5.
sr. member
Activity: 266
Merit: 250
March 23, 2016, 02:26:40 PM
Figured it was worth asking as i have a few s5s laying around and have seen a few older stock going for insanely low prices cus they are only 1/2 hashing or somehow damaged on the boards. wanted to snatch up a few before you released your hardware and they were snapped up by everyone here.

wouldnt mind grabbing a c1 to play with. wonder if the old water cooler could keep up with the heat from new chips.
legendary
Activity: 3374
Merit: 1859
Curmudgeonly hardware guy
March 23, 2016, 01:34:17 PM
A lot of the point of using this form-factor is because it fits S1, S3, S5 and C1 hardware. I'll probably put the power jacks in the same place as the S3 boards, so you can still use the full case. I'll have to figure out a good way to keep USB cabling possible; coming out through the ethernet jack hole is an easy option but there's still making all the angles inside to plug into the board.
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