Just as a note, there is no need to redevelop a MX21 board. A major point of the system is that you can easily buy the modules off-the-shelf and simply develop your own daughtercard to interface to whatever hardware you need and plug the two together. Many of our customers do just that...inventore123:
Well, theoretically it could be done, but I think there are still 2 problems:heres something that a friend of mine (linuxguy) told me about!
SchmartBoard|EZ: http://www.schmartboard.com/index.asp?page=products_bga
-since the schmartboard is a breakout board you still need to solder 400 wires :shock: to it, to connect every pin of the i.MX21 to the other devices…
-all that wires will likely cause a lot of signal integrity issues because the i.MX21 runs @ 200+MHz
inventore123:
finally a good news, thanks phalanxI’ve already installed ISE Webpack for linux, can someone suggest a good (and cheap) programmer for xilinx devices, that works on linux? or maybe just a schematic, if it isn’t too complex?
Sparkfun has a Xilinx JTAG programmer for $15. http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/produc … ts_id=8460#
It works with the programming software included in the ISE Webpack (iMPACT). Just note that its pin-out is a little different than the standard so double check your connections before using it.
-Bill
http://www.digilent.us is another source for FPGA boards and accessories. They also have a tutorial on ISE Webpack to get you started with the software (it doesn’t teach you a HDL) which can be a little daunting the first time you see it.
You can find it here.
http://digilent.org/Data/Tutorials/ISE_tut1.pdf
-Bill
Just a note regarding our odd pinout - We’ve found the DLC5 pinout to have signal integrity issues over longer ribbon cable runs. Our pinout has sig-gnd-sig-gnd layout, to maintain low crosstalk.
Cheers,
–David carne
thanks tarun for your suggestion, in my previous post I was explaining that connecting an i.MX21 to a schmartboard is not practical, you can bet that when I'll feel the need for a 266MHz cpu I'll buy the virtualcogs board which is a faster and cheaper option than designing a multi-layer pcb and soldering a BGA :)Just as a note, there is no need to redevelop a MX21 board. A major point of the system is that you can easily buy the modules off-the-shelf and simply develop your own daughtercard to interface to whatever hardware you need and plug the two together. Many of our customers do just that…
Anyway the project I’m doing now requires to draw fixed images and text to the PSP LCD, not videos, so an ARM7 will be enough for that, at least with a framebuffer.
thanks for the answer, do you also know if the sparkfun JTAG programmer is capable of programming an XC2C64A or XC2C128? Or it is only designed to work with a Spartan3 FPGA?Just a note regarding our odd pinout - We’ve found the DLC5 pinout to have signal integrity issues over longer ribbon cable runs. Our pinout has sig-gnd-sig-gnd layout, to maintain low crosstalk.
Cheers,
–David carne
tarun:
Just as a note, there is no need to redevelop a MX21 board. A major point of the system is that you can easily buy the modules off-the-shelf and simply develop your own daughtercard to interface to whatever hardware you need and plug the two together. Many of our customers do just that…
Yea, I understand that… But they are bloody expensive! Have you seen the prices? $390 for the PC COG kit + $100 (CAD ~= USD) for camera and other modules. Being a college student and electronics hobbyist is a VERY bad combination… I should of taken on knitting…
-robodude666
inventore123:
thanks for the answer, do you also know if the sparkfun JTAG programmer is capable of programming an XC2C64A or XC2C128? Or it is only designed to work with a Spartan3 FPGA?
It can program all of the Xilinx parts from the basic CPLD to the high end Virtex 5.
-Bill
thanks again phalanx, that's all I needed to know.It can program all of the Xilinx parts from the basic CPLD to the high end Virtex 5.
Another question:
From the datasheet of the PSP LCD it seems that the digital power supply can be 2.3 to 3.3V, with 2.5V as recomended value.
Will it be a good idea to power the display with 3.3V?
What voltage has been chosen in the sparkfun breakout board?
So, um, what’s going on with this? I hope you guys didn’t give up on this because of the COG. The COG is nice, but I want to do it myself.
MarkS:
So, um, what’s going on with this? I hope you guys didn’t give up on this because of the COG. The COG is nice, but I want to do it myself.
I’m sure they are still hard at work on this project! They are probably finishing the last prototypes, verifying everything works, and placing orders for new PCBs and components!
Has anyone heard any news about the lcd/touch screen breakout board? I’ve been waiting for ever…
rickyman:
Has anyone heard any news about the lcd/touch screen breakout board? I’ve been waiting for ever…
Ricky,
There is always another option, more often easier, cheaper and quicker.
Try one of the tft screens from EDT, P/N ETO001DH9 - has multiple interfaces, buildin memory and controller, easy to interface,…
Jan
The thing is that I already have the Lcd and touch screen… I s there another option?
You guys are wasting your time. I don’t think that anyone from SparkFun even comes to the board any more.
IS there an other option?
Guys - just email SFE. The boards are so active, and everyone @ SFE is so busy designing cool things that a thread can easily get overlooked.
If you email them, its definitely read, and noted. If they know there’s an interest in the board, then they’re much likelier to produce it!
Cheers,
–David Carne
Are you telling me that they are unaware of the interest, when there has been a thread about it since September of last year? :shock: The last thing I’ve heard was that they have stopped the design and I should just do it myself. Heck, they don’t even sell the necessary connectors and that is it’s own special thread.
Maybe they should monitor their forums or shut them down. Yes, I’m a little PO’d. I had to put a project on the far back burner for almost a year do to this issue. I do not possess the equipment or skill necessary to solder SMT components with such tight pin spacing as the connectors. I NEED this board. This was a promised product.
Mark,
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You can get the connectors from digikey. I believe the part #'s were posted earlier. If not, just get connectors that match the spacing. For a low volume item like that, I imagine it would be pretty hard for SFE to match digikey’s pricing.
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Re: Soldering those connectors. Its not as hard as you think. All you need is a temp-controlled soldering iron, and desoldering braid. That’s how I attached mine. Simply line up the connector, tack down the ones on each side [don’t worry if you bridge pins], then solder down the rest of the connector [not worrying about bridging]. Use the desoldering braid to remove any bridges, and done.
-
The forums are a community, not just a communication channel with SFE. I know I’d rather have the forums open-and-unmonitored, than closed.
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SFE is a busy place - I’m sure there are so many things on the go right now that they may be unaware of the interest. So I’d suggest just emailing them. If they’re not working on the design, then there’s a chance they might have some design files kicking around you could use.
Cheers,
–David Carne
busonerd:
Mark,
- The forums are a community, not just a communication channel with SFE. I know I’d rather have the forums open-and-unmonitored, than closed.
I’d rather have them open AND monitored…