Messages in this thread | | | From | Albert Cahalan <> | Subject | Re: driver development tool | Date | Mon, 11 Nov 1996 02:32:39 -0500 (EST) |
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From: Randy Scott <scottr@belle.bork.com>
>>> 2) access to PCB manufacturing >>> 10 pieces of a 4-layer PCB cost ~$1200 and need 4 weeks >>> for processing. > > I have access to simple two-sided PCB manufacturing facilities. > PCB layout on the other hand is hard to come by...
The PCB layout is no problem. I know someone who can do it with Orcad.
>>> Current dream: a big FPGA connected to ALL the ISA pins, programmable >>> on the fly by the PC itself; a fast 32-bit micro with very fast comm >>> ports (ST20450) and a 32-bit bus with a standard 72-pin DRAM SIMM module >>> (4-16M); 4 RS-232 ports; USB (Universal Serial BUS) controller; MIDI... >>> Of course not all is needed by everyone, only the FPGA can be mounted >>> in a minimal version, and it can be a PGA, so no trouble soldering it. >>> You can easily implement any kind of UART in a reasonabily big chip. >>> Probable costs (for the user): >>> development and testing ... $0 >>> FPGA ... $50-$100 >>> PCB ... $1200/n_users >>> uP(20450) ... $40 >>> uP(56000) ... $0 >>> RAM ... see your local store/get from an old PC >>> Connectors, glue logic ... $10 >>> >>> Any feedback? > > Hmmm.. I just attempted a project like this for as my "Senior Design > Project." It failed miserably. Primary reasons: PCB layout software > is too expensive and possibly difficult to use (this may not be an > issue if you are sending it somewhere to have done), and designing a > DRAM/bus controller in an FPGA is a b*tch (really, its no picnic). > > Also, an FPGA that is designed to interface with all of the sh*t (excuse > me) that have piled on that board is going take HOURS (and hours, and hours) > to design and test. This project would be difficult enough (IMHO) if > you just had a pile of 64kx8 DRAM chips and a simple dumb logic circuit.
That is not a problem, because an experienced hardware designer (not me!) will design the board. The only serious problem would be assembly. The PCB design will be donated. PCB manufacture is troublesome, but 4-layer boards can be built if enough people are interested.
If you want a board, all you need to do is: Request it. Wait for the design. Pay for the PCB & misc. parts (about $200 I guess) Get some RAM. Solder the board.
That assumes enough people want boards.
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