Klondike - 16 chip ASIC Open Source Board - Preliminary

[cp1]

I have pcb ready to flash, how i flash pic with pickit3?
what files are needed?Order?

Can someone make step-by-step guide?

Just connect the ICSP header and fire up mplab.

The pickit3 comes with a big fold out step by step guide.

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[BkkCoins]

Hi BKKCoins

I'm uploading the gerbers for make 4 prototypes.

Gives some issues with anular rings and some drill holes.
16 drill are not aligned correctly are the center via hole for every asic chip.

I use the k16 qfn version. I analyzed this in eurocircuits.com price calculator and uploading all gerbers.

Maybe its a problem from manufacturer importing the gerber files...

Whats the class of PCB  6-7?

Many thanks

Regards

That's odd, as it shows the drill holes as 0.31 and the pad as 0.49 when the program is set for 0.3 and 0.5. I doubt this will matter but you could change the Design rules net class size settings in the board file, and then right click a via and select "edit all vias" and choose the option to change all to match net class. But make a backup first as who knows if that will work as it should.

On the one in the middle of each ASIC it's strange that the hole is not centered. That shows in the design file as well but I have no idea how that occurred as I cannot even edit that. Must be some numeric bug in Kicad. Anyway, that one can be ignored because it's actually in the middle of a large pour for the GND/thermal pad.

[BkkCoins]

I have pcb ready to flash, how i flash pic with pickit3?
what files are needed?Order?

Can someone make step-by-step guide?

Just connect the ICSP header and fire up mplab.

The pickit3 comes with a big fold out step by step guide.

You may need a small cable extra to the PICKit3. I received one with my order when I bought it on eBay but someone else reported not getting any extra cable.

It's just a generic short cable 6 pin-6pin 0.1" female header to plug into the PICKIt3. You need a 5 pin 0.1" header to press against the contact pads on the board. Anything that you throw together to give you 5 pins to press (hard) against the board should work.

There will be a guide written up eventually but for now you are expected to know how to do this. Even with a guide I wouldn't suggest this is a project for beginners. Right now, the code probably would need modifying for your board depending on what you actually have made and with what mods.

[BkkCoins]

I'm just waiting on BitPay to activate my merchant account for the web store to be open. I have Paypal hooked up but I'd rather have both going initially. Oh, I should probably test Paypal first too. I have a custom domain too, and tried to get OpenBitcoinStore to activate that but they seem to be asleep over there or too busy. Has OpenBitcoinStore been abandoned maybe?

[cp1]

If there's room on the board you probably don't need a cable -- just a male header will probably work if your USB cable is long enough.

[BkkCoins]

If there's room on the board you probably don't need a cable -- just a male header will probably work if your USB cable is long enough.

Yes, that's right. I was using a cable to avoid stressing the PICKit3 connector/board. To make good contact you have to press quite hard, for about 6 seconds, or it will indicate an error. Holes for pins would have been easier but I did not want to have thru-holes exposed to the heat sink on board bottom, and it needs to be fast enough for production so soldering pins by hand takes more time.

For mass programming I think some kind of lever with the header pins attached in the correct positioning and board reference guides on each side, would allow quickly sliding a board in pressing down, and pushing a button. I don't know if anyone will take the extra effort to set that up but there are various hand operated press type tools around that could be adapted.

When I make my own PnP machine some day I'll put a programming pin header on it so the parts placement and flashing can be automated in one step. <wakes up from day dream>

[Bicknellski]

@Bicknellski... if you meant me... my interest lies in chosing the best product because i have chips i want to be built into a miner. And im not sure yet if i should chose burnin or marto74's(Klondike) offer. Thats why i want to know the performance of both designs. I see that Klondikes has to fight the noise first to get real results. Im not sure yet but i think overclocking seems to be a bit easier with burnin's design. No soldering for overclocking or overvolting. But im not sure yet, because my question wasnt answered yet.
On the other hand i think the development in another design group is interesting to another designer too. So he can compare and maybe see problems.
Nothing bad intended...

No I meant everyone... seems to be a lot of people comparing boards... I think at the end of the day we are going to be VERY happy with what we get from K1s and K16s. Too early to compare yet it wasn't directed at you or anyone just wanted to put it out there that for the most part this information about the chip is not new and is known. Whatever flavour of DIY board we pick I am pretty sure we will get an advantage as the designers have been optimizing things around the chip.

To me let us just sit back take a deep breath and wait for the revision.

....

I hope Avalon delivers soon because it looks like almost PERFECT timing from BKKCoins on his work.... fingers crossed. Thanks again everyone for sharing all your tech specs back to BKK... so helpful!

[jdape]

I'm just waiting on BitPay to activate my merchant account

I had one setup last month, took 7-10 days iirc.

[cardcomm]

I'm just waiting on BitPay to activate my merchant account for the web store to be open. I have Paypal hooked up but I'd rather have both going initially. Oh, I should probably test Paypal first too. I have a custom domain too, and tried to get OpenBitcoinStore to activate that but they seem to be asleep over there or too busy. Has OpenBitcoinStore been abandoned maybe?

Very cool. I'm looking forward to seeing the online store open. It's nice that you will have a Paypal option as that'll be most convenient for me at present.

Thanks again to everyone that contributed to this incredible project.

[Zich]

Is there any indicator for failed chip in case some chip fail ?

[neslekkim]

If there's room on the board you probably don't need a cable -- just a male header will probably work if your USB cable is long enough.

Yes, that's right. I was using a cable to avoid stressing the PICKit3 connector/board. To make good contact you have to press quite hard, for about 6 seconds, or it will indicate an error. Holes for pins would have been easier but I did not want to have thru-holes exposed to the heat sink on board bottom, and it needs to be fast enough for production so soldering pins by hand takes more time.

For mass programming I think some kind of lever with the header pins attached in the correct positioning and board reference guides on each side, would allow quickly sliding a board in pressing down, and pushing a button. I don't know if anyone will take the extra effort to set that up but there are various hand operated press type tools around that could be adapted.

When I make my own PnP machine some day I'll put a programming pin header on it so the parts placement and flashing can be automated in one step. <wakes up from day dream>

Make holes for this:
http://www.tag-connect.com/
or something like this: http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/12/10/isptouch-header-less-isp-connector-for-avrs/
or some other pogo-pin arrangement...

[AtomSea]

Is there a forum to monitor Avalon chip progress?

[BkkCoins]

Is there any indicator for failed chip in case some chip fail ?

Just through the cgminer API stats info. It is possible for software to monitor this and show a message but I haven't got that far yet.

Make holes for this:
http://www.tag-connect.com/
or something like this: http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/12/10/isptouch-header-less-isp-connector-for-avrs/
or some other pogo-pin arrangement...

That little connector is pretty nice, and I think the "pogo pins" are great if you can buy them alone or in a std connector. I don't like the way they hook to the PICKit3, with an adapter - messy. The idea is good though and if I could get a pogo 5-pin header to stick in the PICKit3 directly it would be perfect. Ideally a 1mm spacing would reduce board size to barely noticeable.

[nekonos]

Hi BKKCoins

I'm uploading the gerbers for make 4 prototypes.

Gives some issues with anular rings and some drill holes.
16 drill are not aligned correctly are the center via hole for every asic chip.

I use the k16 qfn version. I analyzed this in eurocircuits.com price calculator and uploading all gerbers.

Maybe its a problem from manufacturer importing the gerber files...

Whats the class of PCB  6-7?

Many thanks

Regards

That's odd, as it shows the drill holes as 0.31 and the pad as 0.49 when the program is set for 0.3 and 0.5. I doubt this will matter but you could change the Design rules net class size settings in the board file, and then right click a via and select "edit all vias" and choose the option to change all to match net class. But make a backup first as who knows if that will work as it should.

On the one in the middle of each ASIC it's strange that the hole is not centered. That shows in the design file as well but I have no idea how that occurred as I cannot even edit that. Must be some numeric bug in Kicad. Anyway, that one can be ignored because it's actually in the middle of a large pour for the GND/thermal pad.

I will try, changing design rules in kicad. The hole is probably a bug, do you think that can be a problem doing via filling?

Another think stock of some components inductor Murata 38L361C 0.36 ±30% μH 18A very low stock or out of stock.
And the oscillator Abracon   ASDMB-32.000MHZ-LC-T    5 weeks delivery time. Do you have alternatives for these components?  I will search this afternoon.

I go with 1 k16 if possible

Cheers

[BkkCoins]

I will try, changing design rules in kicad. The hole is probably a bug, do you think that can be a problem doing via filling?

Another think stock of some components inductor Murata 38L361C 0.36 ±30% μH 18A very low stock or out of stock. And the oscillator Abracon   ASDMB-32.000MHZ-LC-T    2 month delivery time.

Thanks for your work, I go with 1 k16 if possible

Cheers

I don't think it will affect via filling.

I can't help much with stock. Check around. Digikey had the ASDMB but I see they're gone now. I got some last week.
A lot of people have been buying up these parts recently. I bet Toys R Us does a better job of keeping stock on hand.

[driksson]

I'm just waiting on BitPay to activate my merchant account for the web store to be open. I have Paypal hooked up but I'd rather have both going initially. Oh, I should probably test Paypal first too. I have a custom domain too, and tried to get OpenBitcoinStore to activate that but they seem to be asleep over there or too busy. Has OpenBitcoinStore been abandoned maybe?

Look at PrestaShop also. its a fully free webshop, which has plugins for both paypal and bitcoins for free..
there you handle stock, shipping costs, everything.

[KS]

I've designed some Klondike 16 computer case/motherboard adapters.  The designs are open source.  Use these adapters to mount Klondike 16's into any of: 3.5" Drive Bay, 5.25" Drive Bay, PCI Express slot, or PCI slot.

Thread here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=246638

For sale here:
https://cp.virtualvm.com/cart.php

I would not cross post, except that the designs are free and I'm doing this as a service to the community -- not for profit.

Personally, I'm using these adapters to install a dozen K16's into a $90 4U case from newegg.  Details and pics in the Adapters thread linked above.

That's just brilliant man! I was thinking we might need board revisions for the K16 for the purpose of mounting them in various form factors, but you just made that a non-issue. Excellent!

[cad_cdn]

the virtualvm link gets flagged by firefox as untrusted, just letting ya know
you have to manually add exception to ff to continue

I've designed some Klondike 16 computer case/motherboard adapters.  The designs are open source.  Use these adapters to mount Klondike 16's into any of: 3.5" Drive Bay, 5.25" Drive Bay, PCI Express slot, or PCI slot.

Thread here:
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=246638

For sale here:
https://cp.virtualvm.com/cart.php

I would not cross post, except that the designs are free and I'm doing this as a service to the community -- not for profit.

Personally, I'm using these adapters to install a dozen K16's into a $90 4U case from newegg.  Details and pics in the Adapters thread linked above.

That's just brilliant man! I was thinking we might need board revisions for the K16 for the purpose of mounting them in various form factors, but you just made that a non-issue. Excellent!

[dimka890]

Hi BKKCoins
Klondike k16 board design is ready(i want order few PCBs)? Which design is more preferable (qfn or not?)?
And about k1 (v 0.1) You said that it is better to replace 74AUP1G02GW with a 74AUP2G02, but in last update of BOM for K1 at github NOR Gate is 74AUP1G02GW.  Which is better to install?
Thank You!

[GandalfG]

Bkk have you experience with hash rate stability if you have one chip soldered  on board designed for more asic ?
I have testing an Avalon clone for overclocking,  and can't go over 240MH/s with standard and non standard settings.
Generally,  hash rate are very volatile. I testing with only one chip (sample) that I have. Waiting for delivery my order from 1st batch