Topic: Klondike - 16 chip ASIC Open Source Board - Preliminary - page 52. (Read 435379 times)

BkkCoins are you planing to sell complete kits for self assembly?
I ordered a k16 board but if you're going to source parts than I'm willing to wait for the whole kit.

Ok. Here's how it works.

The PIC is a micro-controller that needs a program aka "the firmware" to run. When you get them from the factory they are blank. So it has to be flashed at least one time. If I write firmware that has a "boot loader" then after that it can be updated via USB without special tools.

The FIRST flash can be done after soldered on the board or before. For the programmed PIC orders I have I'll flash it before so buyers can solder it and run first time.

Alternately you can buy blank PICs and a $50 programmer tool and flash it your self.

Also, alternately if you wait until I finish the firmware you can get it off github and upload it to Microchip and pay them to pre-program it (cheap) - but that requires they have stock, so doesn't work so well right now.

I'm turning my time now from order handling / board design to writing/adapting a boot loader that works for both USB and I2C integrated into current Klondike protocol. This will allow you to update the firmware by simply dropping a new file into the cgminer directory, which will get detected and fed out to all your Ks. Initially it will work for testing with my ktest utility so that even if it's not 100% as I want, at least I can program and ship the PIC chips, and ktest can be used to update them.

That is the only flashing or programming on the board itself. The other chips and ASIC do not require anything. That is one reason I avoided using an FPGA or CPLD - easy to update without special tools. Yay!

So bottom line - yes, you need either to order programmed PICs or a programmer tool. eg. PICKit3 $45-55 on ebay.

......

Might sound a bit stupid here, but do we need the PIC to flash the chips? Or can we not flash the chips through the USB?

I'm expecting them next week - in production now. Once they arrive I'll either ship immediately or hold until other items are ready to ship together. So what could hold it up a bit is waiting for the PIC chips to come in or for me to finish the boot loader so I can flash the PICs. The PIC chips are in transit now as well. It's possible they'll arrive same time or before the boards.

If you buy the PCB from your website (https://klondikedesign.com/) when do we expect to see the PCB? immediately, or currently a wait time?

Wow, people are fast. There were like 1600 of them, and they are all taken too.

BkkCoins, can you look for the Murata Power Inductor alternative? How about this one: http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/SPM10040T-R36M170/445-3603-6-ND/1856770

Or if we have to look for an alternate, what is most important? Inductance, Current Rating, DC Resistance or Frequency?

It shouldn't get that hot, and you wouldn't want to let it as if it gets there, then for sure the ASICs are well  beyond, and they are rated for 85C as well. So any 125C parts are simply for enhanced durability / longer life.

That's actually pretty nice. But 8 ports is a weird number. Are all 8 actually data ports or is one a power (charging) only port? Usually they have 7 because the 4 port chip is chained, losing 1 port. Or maybe this one has 2 input USB cables? Does it have the internal type pin header for motherboards or a normal external USB A type connector?

edit: actually, looking at them on ebay I see they do use an internal connector for USB, so I don't know how you are using this with a RasPi unless you have some adapter. I understand it can power the RasPi, but you won't be able to use it to extend the USB from the RasPi without some pin header to USB-A adapter.

For those of you looking to control a bunch of Klondikes, I went ahead and picked one of these up for testing (specifically to see if it would power the Rpi) and its worked beautifully. (8-port USB2.0 Hub - Molex powered) https://www.bitmit.net/en/item/40935-8-port-usb-2-0-panel-hub-with-molex-power-connector?ref=1836

I plan on running 6 chains of 4x klondikes, one port to power the rpi, and one port for the rpi. Being able to power the hub off the PSU just keeps it all in one package. It came through customs marked as a clock. lol.

The following is basically the same thing, except for the operating temperature rate (40 to 85 Celsius, as compared to 40 to 125 Celsius). I have no idea how it will behave if the temp rises 85 C.
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/74AUP2G02DC,125/568-9186-2-ND/1300786

I looked at the datasheet in detail, and turns out that 74AUP2G02GD can be used for SMT assembly as well, without modifying the board in any way.

I have experience using alibaba. They have escrow but it take time to account become verified and new buyers need to submit some doc scans if pay with cc.

I used it for the first time to source the female headers for the Klego connectors. So I don't know yet how that will turn out but I know some people use it a lot. It was easy, and I got replies and made a deal and paid with Paypal, all in a few hours. Some think it's better than ebay but mostly for high qty. I'm sure it depends totally on who you deal with.

I ordered 1000 pcs. for the Klegos - so if they don't sell then I'll be designing products around 10 pin connectors for years. Or. I'll just sell them on ebay for 4x the price.

I just ordered... wait for it.... 2 pcs. It's all they had left. Perhaps that's the reason for the error. Their warehouse is in CA and their email says they ship same-day so if they get more in stock should be good for US builders.

Anyone have experience using Alibaba? As long as it's not Alibaba and the Forty Thieves it looks promising. I see they have an escrow service.

No. If you try to checkout it has a step to check availability and will say "error, does not compute". Actually, says error it's not available to order at this time. But perhaps if you "contact sales" they can help you. Their minimum is 750 pcs.

Hello

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the IR3895 can be ordered directly from IR. Their site shows that they're available.
https://ec.irf.com/v6/en/US/adirect/ir?cmd=catSearchFrame&domSendTo=byID&domProductQueryName=IR3895

Many Thanks for that. Pic's in stock on ordered

Which chip? The PIC? And which package? Check the datasheet - it's on github.

anyone know the chip height?