I'm opening this thread to discuss my work on a 16 chip ASIC board.
Updated - See more updated info below before asking questions.
The project home is at: http://github.com/bkkcoins/klondike
I have been working on this for a few weeks now. Current status: board is tentatively ready for first prototypes. There may be some errors, so fresh eyes may help.
Summary Preliminary Specs:
10cm x 10cm board
16 chips/board
24A 1.2V, 1A 3.3V supply on board (~32W total)
PCI Express Power connector for use with ATX PSU
USB mini type B connector, no power draw
PIC USB micro controller on board with bootloader for USB firmware upgrades
I2C board-to-board, daisy chain connector
Fan 3 pin connector (on board temp sensor and PWM speed control)
This board will connect via USB to a host controller like PC, RaspPi, TL-703N etc. capable of running cgminer. Several boards can be chained to run off one USB host.
Updated, May 14th:
I've completed a tentative final board design. There a few things left to do but mostly I'm waiting on communication protocol docs for the Avalon now. I've started working on firmware, and hope to make some progress over the next week. I'll have time while the first prototype boards are made, and I'll be able to debug and test code before the boards arrive.
People keep asking me about what it will cost. First, I am not expecting to sell assembled ready to use boards myself. There are several forum members and companies in contact with me who have expressed interest in building and selling licensed finished boards. When those products are available I will post info here for everyone.
I may be offering DIY kits of [board + parts] to users who have experience and want to assemble their own boards. There may be wholesale pricing as well for large orders. This is not a beginner project. There are 307 components on the board and they're all tiny SMD parts requiring quite a sophisticated assembly process - not just a soldering iron. But, that said, if you know what you're doing, you may be able to order kits at some point and build them or have them built locally. I will keep posting more info as the project progresses and when a real product exists I'll open a web store for taking orders. There is no product to buy at this time so please don't ask how to order or how much it costs. As soon as that info is available it will be posted right here.
Here is the most up to date rendering of the Klondike 16 board and it's little brother the K1. There may also follow later a 4up big brother, the K64. But first let me build a working prototype.
K16
K1 / Nano
