@Julius_GU There are several idea I like in that PDF:
1. The Pine logo being lit and being a status LED. Perhaps it could be RGB to allow feedback of lots of different things.
2. I quite like the idea of the fingerprint scanner, I didn't even consider it! My brain went to a keypad when I was first thinking about this, but a scanner is a real no brainer. It could also be an input button for example.
3. Regarding the RiscV controller - it of course makes sense, it just needs to be fast enough. The good thing with this application is that we could likely get away within minimal additions to the RiscV chip if it already contains a small amount of RAM and some storage.
4. RAID I think *really* makes this stand out from anything else out there (apart from being open source). If you are using it to run a live distro from USB - you want it to boot each time without fail and be encrypted!
Additionally I think it could be cool to leave space for some headers on the PCB itself, so people can create hats for it. The fingerprint sensor itself for example could be on a hat rather than the main PCB.
Regarding the USB connectors, @Arwen made the point of shipping with a type C and a Type C to A adapter. Also ideally you want both ports on the same side (if you do have two).
In terms of total memory, I think ideally you are aiming for at least 8GB after RAID to end up with something that you could flash Linux onto and install some programs. In terms of which chips to use, whatever works out cheapest per GB - you could always load the PCB both sides with 512MB NAND.
I really suspect that there is space here to make a serious impact in open source. From what I could tell there is no open source memory. From a security and integrity perspective, you have to entirely trust that various manufacturers have done their jobs correctly.
And in the long run I think we could be looking at a feasible path towards building M.2. storage for future Pine devices. Once we're up to about USB 2 speeds we are already about the speed of the eMMc currently shipped (hell some HDDs don't reach this), but if we can get to USB 3 speeds then I think it'll be quite future proof. I imagine a future where Pine devices ship with their own storage solution that can be entirely controlled through software!
I think the BL602 could be a great way to start exploring this [0]. It's a $2 32 bit RiscV which the community is already working on. It has 128kB ROM, 276kB SRAM and 2MB embedded flash [1].
I'm thinking we could design a hat for this device to explore adding NAND and a USB A connector?
Having a look online, we should be able to pick up 4 512Mb NAND flash chips (with pins that can be soldered) for $3 a piece at low volume.
PCB way will do 10 boards for $30 USD (delivered), although it seems pick and place is also quite cheap if eventually we wanted to look at BGA parts.
[0] https://pine64.com/product/pinenut-model...e5-module/
[1] https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/Nutcracker
1. The Pine logo being lit and being a status LED. Perhaps it could be RGB to allow feedback of lots of different things.
2. I quite like the idea of the fingerprint scanner, I didn't even consider it! My brain went to a keypad when I was first thinking about this, but a scanner is a real no brainer. It could also be an input button for example.
3. Regarding the RiscV controller - it of course makes sense, it just needs to be fast enough. The good thing with this application is that we could likely get away within minimal additions to the RiscV chip if it already contains a small amount of RAM and some storage.
4. RAID I think *really* makes this stand out from anything else out there (apart from being open source). If you are using it to run a live distro from USB - you want it to boot each time without fail and be encrypted!
Additionally I think it could be cool to leave space for some headers on the PCB itself, so people can create hats for it. The fingerprint sensor itself for example could be on a hat rather than the main PCB.
Regarding the USB connectors, @Arwen made the point of shipping with a type C and a Type C to A adapter. Also ideally you want both ports on the same side (if you do have two).
In terms of total memory, I think ideally you are aiming for at least 8GB after RAID to end up with something that you could flash Linux onto and install some programs. In terms of which chips to use, whatever works out cheapest per GB - you could always load the PCB both sides with 512MB NAND.
I really suspect that there is space here to make a serious impact in open source. From what I could tell there is no open source memory. From a security and integrity perspective, you have to entirely trust that various manufacturers have done their jobs correctly.
And in the long run I think we could be looking at a feasible path towards building M.2. storage for future Pine devices. Once we're up to about USB 2 speeds we are already about the speed of the eMMc currently shipped (hell some HDDs don't reach this), but if we can get to USB 3 speeds then I think it'll be quite future proof. I imagine a future where Pine devices ship with their own storage solution that can be entirely controlled through software!
I think the BL602 could be a great way to start exploring this [0]. It's a $2 32 bit RiscV which the community is already working on. It has 128kB ROM, 276kB SRAM and 2MB embedded flash [1].
I'm thinking we could design a hat for this device to explore adding NAND and a USB A connector?
Having a look online, we should be able to pick up 4 512Mb NAND flash chips (with pins that can be soldered) for $3 a piece at low volume.
PCB way will do 10 boards for $30 USD (delivered), although it seems pick and place is also quite cheap if eventually we wanted to look at BGA parts.
[0] https://pine64.com/product/pinenut-model...e5-module/
[1] https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/Nutcracker
