Hi ngzhang,
I've heard you are developing next hardware revision of Icarus board.
Below is my 0.02$, comments are welcome.
One necessary thing is FPGA temperature sensors. For example TI digital sensors with serial output will be OK but I have no idea how to mechanically put them to the chips (why FPGA manufacturer didn't place one directly to the die?)
Second idea (which can be easily implemented with current revision boards btw) is simple but fast SPI interface using some DIMM connector pins. SPI address and SPI/USB interface selection can be done with existing DIP switches. The goal is to develop neat carrier board with 12-16 Icarus slots, ARM/MIPS/ATOM/etc CPU board slot and good 250-350W PSU behind. We can install several big 200mm fans for the whole rack and adjust their rotation speed according to temperature sensors output.
Topic: FPGA development board "Icarus" - DisContinued/ important announcement - page 15. (Read 207288 times)
March 15, 2012, 01:44:31 AM
March 15, 2012, 01:33:00 AM
Hi
If you can Windows develop. there is a small bug in windows. by fix this bug. it should be works fine under Windows.
the bug is under icarus.c read from serial in windows is wrong.
If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus
Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/
Xiangfu
Thank but I use windows
If you can Windows develop. there is a small bug in windows. by fix this bug. it should be works fine under Windows.
the bug is under icarus.c read from serial in windows is wrong.
what miner software is best for icarus ?
If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus
Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/
Xiangfu
Thank but I use windows
March 15, 2012, 01:23:36 AM
what miner software is best for icarus ?
If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus
Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/
Xiangfu
Thank but I use windows
March 15, 2012, 12:10:14 AM
by my testing is 1.66A, with standard 5CM fan.
March 14, 2012, 11:18:39 PM
Just an aside - I had a power outage today so I'll not have 24 hour normal mining stats until tomorrow 
March 14, 2012, 10:22:48 PM
@xiangfu I am wondering about using multiple Icaruses with a TP-LINK TL-WR703N host. What kind of USB hub should I use? Does it need to be powered, or will any cheap one do?
Just normal USB 2.0 hub will work. I am using HYUNDAI HY-HB608 USB-2.0 HUB (http://www.360buy.com/product/539608.html it's chinese webpage. but you can check the picture). it's have a power adapter but I never use it. I only tested 3 icarus. not sure what happen when there are more then 3.
March 14, 2012, 03:42:39 PM
I have 2xIcarus ...
Kano, how much power do your icarus boards use? Amperes@12VDC if you can measure that?
Thanks.
However, that might just be my watt meter isn't reliable.
When I get around to making a molex plug for them (who knows when I'll do that) I'll get a better idea if it was just my watt meter (which seems to be the most likely cause)
you have a killawatt that works with 220?
http://steplight.com.au/education/monitor-energy/plug-in-electricity-power-meter/
March 14, 2012, 03:03:40 PM
I have 2xIcarus ...
Kano, how much power do your icarus boards use? Amperes@12VDC if you can measure that?
Thanks.
However, that might just be my watt meter isn't reliable.
When I get around to making a molex plug for them (who knows when I'll do that) I'll get a better idea if it was just my watt meter (which seems to be the most likely cause)
you have a killawatt that works with 220?
March 14, 2012, 02:31:09 PM
I have 2xIcarus ...
Kano, how much power do your icarus boards use? Amperes@12VDC if you can measure that?
Thanks.
However, that might just be my watt meter isn't reliable.
When I get around to making a molex plug for them (who knows when I'll do that) I'll get a better idea if it was just my watt meter (which seems to be the most likely cause)
March 14, 2012, 07:56:00 AM
what miner software is best for icarus ?
If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus
Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/
Xiangfu
(single pool is Ozcoin and backup is ABC)
I'm now seeing 365 to 370 Mh/s in cgminer and an increased U also on the Icarus to go with that increase MH/s
So that's the same as yours or even a little higher again.
I have 2xIcarus and 2x6950 - all 4 were getting about the same hash rate before but now with a single pool both the Icarus are a bit ahead of the 6950's
I assume that once it's been running for 24 hours the MH/s should be reasonably close to accurate
I'll see if that 365-370 is accurate or not in about 17 hours.
March 14, 2012, 07:35:57 AM
@xiangfu I am wondering about using multiple Icaruses with a TP-LINK TL-WR703N host. What kind of USB hub should I use? Does it need to be powered, or will any cheap one do?
March 14, 2012, 02:46:40 AM
what miner software is best for icarus ?
If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus
Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/
Xiangfu
March 14, 2012, 02:26:12 AM
what miner software is best for icarus ?
i suggest RG7 for testing or single board, MPBM for multi-boards.
March 14, 2012, 02:17:30 AM
what miner software is best for icarus ?
March 13, 2012, 09:27:56 AM
it's a 2.5/5.5mm plug.
What is the length of the plug (metal part only)?
any longer than 10mm will be ok.
March 13, 2012, 08:20:17 AM
it's a 2.5/5.5mm plug.
What is the length of the plug (metal part only)?
March 13, 2012, 08:19:10 AM
When are you accepting new orders and roughly how soon are they to ship out?
ngzhang is currently shipping batch 3 orders (literally from the 11th to the 13th he is shipping out orders).
I am not sure if he has any boards left in batch3, we'll have to wait for him to get his head above water to respond on that. If he does he may be able to sell you some now, otherwise you'll need to wait for him to produce his 4th batch of cards, test them, and then ship them out. (I assume he would begin taking orders shortly for batch4, but not sure what the production leadtime is).
Hope that helps for now (until a more official answer from ngzhang can come)
March 13, 2012, 07:55:28 AM
on of the EMS partner in Germany is a crafty company (gdsk.de) (if someone gets post from them: http://www.blog.oscg.eu/2011/02/selbstverzollung-bei-der-gdsk/) which slows down the delivery and tries to rip off the people! do not use EMS for Germany! DHL is much better and faster even though it is slightly more expensive.
or use registered airmail an declare value <30$ (charges less than 5 € are not collected --> 22+5= 27€ ~ 35$)
or use registered airmail an declare value <30$ (charges less than 5 € are not collected --> 22+5= 27€ ~ 35$)
March 12, 2012, 11:07:50 PM
When are you accepting new orders and roughly how soon are they to ship out?
March 12, 2012, 09:39:40 AM
Now I have to wait for eldentyrell to make progress to decide where my money goes next....
Send your money to the board-makers. The more boards you have, the more money you stand to gain from the release of my design and therefore (hopefully) the more you will be willing to contribute.
Stay tuned on progress (I screwed up last night's build).
Are you planning to release Algorithmic bitstream for Icarus soon? I would like to be the first to donate for such bitstream!
no, you will not. i will the first!
Sorry Zhang, I will be the first!
Eldentyrell please send me your Bitcoin address, I will contribute today.
I highly respect his work! been following his project progress for the last couple of months! I wish it will be 100% open source so we would learn from his FPGA optimization techniques "not just for mining!".
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