## Features and Components ### Core *See [research/cpu]() for an overview of the **many** low-cost embedded processors which have been announced, and a justification of this component selection.* The Freescale i.MX6 series ARM processors An external power management/regulator chip is required to provide stable voltage for this chip. ### Wireless The miniPCIe slot allows flexibility in selecting an appropriate dual-band 802.11n card; see [research/miniPCIe]() for a list of options and issues. Atheros-based devices supporting the non-blob [ath9k](http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/ath9k) or [ath5k](http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/ath5k) drivers with access point mode are shipped in some laptops and are frequently available used on amazon.com for less than $15. [thinkpenguin.com](https://www.thinkpenguin.com/gnu-linux/penguin-wireless-n-mini-pcie) sells such a device new for $35, as does [netgate.com](http://store.netgate.com/WLE200NX-80211nabg-miniPCIe-Card-P1763C29.aspx) for $45. An antenna would also be required; SparkFun sells adapters for [$5](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/662), so I will budget $5 for an adapter plus antenna. - ARM SoC, Freescale i.MX6 - Power management/regulator IC for SoC - 512MB RAM - No onboard FLASH, 8GB+ uSD card - WiFi - full-size miniPCIe slot for off-the-shelf dual-band card - 802.15.4 - all-in-one stm32w chip, trace antenna (?) - Ethernet - GigE switch chip w/ PHY, 5 ports - 4x LAN jacks with drivers for longer cable runs (w/ LEDs) - 1x WAN jack - Power - 5/12v regulator, ~1amp - Power connector - Reverse voltage diode - USB Host jack - USB mini jack for UART/JTAG/Mass storage (how? USB2 hub?) - Second SD or uSD connector (for expansion) - status LEDs and drivers (PWM from SoC?) - reset button - power switch An alternative "minimal" feature set device is described at [design/minimal_design](). ## Proposed BOM and Costs (August 2012) The rough cost analysis below guesses component pricing for a production run of 1,000 units; the PCB fabrication and assembly numbers are probably more realistic for at least 10,000 units. These are *prices* of components (what would need to be paid on the market), resulting in the *cost* of production; the *price* of the final device would be higher than the cost to cover risk and additional development and logistical expenses. For an initial release we can ship with used WiFi cards (or let people source their own), so I will budget $15. Devices would ship with no SATA disk by default.
Subsystem | What | MFG | MPN | Qty | Cost @1k | Total | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Core | ARM SoC | Freescale | i.MX6 dual lite | 1 | $22.00 | $22.00 | “gossip” |
512MB RAM | Hynix | H5TQ4G63MFR | 1 | $15.00 | $15.00 | Wrong bitwidth, cost reference only | |
Microcontroller | Stmicro | STM32F100R4H6B | 1 | $1.40 | $1.40 | ||
Entropy circuit | 1 | $1.50 | $1.50 | Associated project... | |||
Wireless | miniPCIe WiFi card | 1 | $10.00 | $10.00 | Budgeting price of used cards | ||
802.15.4 TX/RX | TI | CC2520 | 1 | $2.50 | $2.50 | ||
miniPCIe slot | Tyco | 2041119-1 | 1 | $0.36 | $0.36 | ||
Ethernet | Switch chip | Realtek | RTL8366SR-GR | 1 | $10.00 | $10.00 | Guess, can't find quote... |
5x Ethernet port strip | Tyco | 5557563-1 | 1 | $4.25 | $4.25 | Includes magnetics | |
Storage | SD Slot | ALPS | SCHA5B0200 | 1 | $1.00 | $1.00 | |
8GB uSD card | 1 | $6.00 | $6.00 | Budgeting price | |||
microSD slot | 114-00841-68 | 1 | $0.70 | $0.70 | |||
SATA conn | Molex | 678007001 | 1 | $0.40 | $0.40 | ||
SATA power conn | Molex | 679260011 | 1 | $0.50 | $0.50 | ||
USB | Dual USB Host conn. | Assmann | 87520-0010BLF | 1 | $0.40 | $0.40 | |
USB Mini | FCI | 10104110-0001LF | 1 | $0.35 | $0.35 | ||
Voltage Protect | On semi | NCP349MNAETBG | 1 | $0.36 | $0.36 | ||
USB-to-serial | FTDI | FT232HQ | 1 | $2.25 | $2.25 | ||
USB 2.0 hub | SMC | USB2514B | 1 | $2.10 | $2.10 | ||
Power | Inductor | TDK | VLCF5020T-2R2N2R6-3 | 3 | $0.90 | $2.70 | |
Voltage Protect | On semi | NCP349MNAETBG | 1 | $1.00 | $1.00 | ||
ARM SoC Pwr | Freescale | MC34708VKR2 | 1 | $4.25 | $4.25 | i.mx53 PMIC for reference | |
Regulator | TI | TPS73701DRBR | 1 | $0.95 | $0.95 | ||
Other Comp | Passives | 100 | $0.01 | $0.50 | Most of these are just fudged numbers | ||
LEDs | Dialight | 598-8170-107F | 4 | $0.05 | $0.20 | ||
Diode | 4 | $0.10 | $0.40 | ||||
Power Jack | CUI | PJ-002A | 1 | $0.30 | $0.30 | ||
Buffer | TI | SN74LVC2G07DCKR | 2 | $0.12 | $0.24 | ||
Transistors | 3 | $0.20 | $0.60 | ||||
Button | Omron | B3U-1100P | 4 | $0.55 | $2.20 | ||
Crystal | Epson | MC-30632.7680k-A | 4 | $0.30 | $1.20 | ||
Fudge Electronics | 1 | $5.00 | $5.00 | ||||
Production | 6 Layer PCB | 1 | $8.00 | $8.00 | |||
Assembly | 1 | $8.00 | $8.00 | ||||
TOTAL | $116.61 |