Klondike - 16 chip ASIC Open Source Board - Preliminary

[BkkCoins]

Brief Status Update

I've done the I2C code now and everything is pretty close to code complete excepting a bootloader (for on-the-fly firmware upgrades). I'll be spending today doing testing of I2C master mode output signalling but it's not going to get further with just one PIC wired up.

Fortunately, later today I'm off to Bkk again to pick up K1 boards, scope and more parts that arrived. When I get back I should be able to assemble 3 K1 boards and test the chaining fully, and re-program one to act as fake ASIC for some loopback testing.

For those interested in this type of thing, right now the code size is 5602 and data 818 compiled with the PRO mode turned on. Max possible on this chip is 8K and 1K respectively so I think we're looking pretty good right now.

I've written up a Technical Reference document that I'll upload fairly soon. So far it has a brief hardware description and details the command protocol (for driver writing) but I hope to expand it later with a lot more design info.

[NexusFlow]

Fantastic work BkkCoins, I always love the trips to pickup new toys.

[erk]

I've got dozens of PICKIT3s, and they all do this once in a while.  The simple solution, almost every time, is to set MPLAB to a different chip family (PIC121840, for instance), then connect the pickit.  It will tell you that a new firmware must be downloaded to the PICKIT to work with that different chip family.  Say ok.  Then switch it back to your real chip.  Again, it will say it needs a new firmware.  Say ok again.  Should be functional.

Enigma

Thanks. I'll try that. I've also discovered that using Programmer To Go mode is more reliable. Disconnect from my circuit, program as To Go mode, then connect and press button - works almost always, which seems to indicate it's not a problem with my circuit hookup but MPLAB-X software (since it goes off the deep end and can't recover).

Oh yeah, MPLAB-X, in my opinion, sucks.  I still use 8.8X.  MPLAB-X was such a resource hog and seemed quite unstable.  I have nearly zero issues with PICKIT3 and MPLAB 8.8X - Other than the occasional loss-of-mind that I mention above, they work great for $40 programmers.  Even the loss of mind is quite infrequent.

Enigma

MPLAB-X is written in Java I believe for portability. Never thought much of Java apps. It certainly runs pretty ordinary on my Mac Mini.

[BkkCoins]

I've pushed up a Technical Reference doc and ktest (python test app) for Klondike protocol. May help anyone who wants a jump start on alternate miner software, or just wants to know.

Looks like I2C master code is working ok now, at least partly as I can't test more without some slaves. <snaps whip>

Finished up here for today and off to the big city. Will be out of touch tomorrow.

Glad to hear the samples are working out better now. (And, yay, btc price rising again)

[Bicknellski]

I have allocated the 2 chips I might get in my group buy to you BKKCoins and it seems many in our group buy who posted agree.

Sidenote... Gen2 Avalon Chips are 3  months out... 55nm. Hmmm interesting indeed!

[GandalfG]

Sidenote... Gen2 Avalon Chips are 3  months out... 55nm. Hmmm interesting indeed!

Primary question: Will the new chips are backwards compatible (pinout and communication protocol) with "old" Avalon

55nm are half-node. 110nm -> 80nm -> 55nm.
Looks like die shrink for pack more exec unit on single chip.
 

[BkkCoins]

I have allocated the 2 chips I might get in my group buy to you BKKCoins and it seems many in our group buy who posted agree.

Thank You.

Sidenote... Gen2 Avalon Chips are 3  months out... 55nm. Hmmm interesting indeed!

Ah, Geez. I hope the design is close enough we can use existing work for a Gen 2. If this first Gen ends up being bust for me then I won't continue with later ones. It's far too much work for just a  hobby and takes almost all my awake time now.

[Bicknellski]

I have allocated the 2 chips I might get in my group buy to you BKKCoins and it seems many in our group buy who posted agree.

Thank You.

Sidenote... Gen2 Avalon Chips are 3  months out... 55nm. Hmmm interesting indeed!

Ah, Geez. I hope the design is close enough we can use existing work for a Gen 2. If this first Gen ends up being bust for me then I won't continue with later ones. It's far too much work for just a  hobby and takes almost all my awake time now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD237oF7cCo  Minute 4:00

If everyone who uses your board donates 24 hours of mining to you we should be able to persuade you to give up another 2 months of your life? Maybe? LOL.

[marto74]

I have allocated the 2 chips I might get in my group buy to you BKKCoins and it seems many in our group buy who posted agree.

Thank You.

Sidenote... Gen2 Avalon Chips are 3  months out... 55nm. Hmmm interesting indeed!

Ah, Geez. I hope the design is close enough we can use existing work for a Gen 2. If this first Gen ends up being bust for me then I won't continue with later ones. It's far too much work for just a  hobby and takes almost all my awake time now.

For sure you can count that every K16 board produced in my group buy will give you 0.04 btc.
A soon you have working design tested I'll open orders and the payment will be sent to you with every order
If there is any other way to help , please ask

[Bicknellski]

You really should set up a P2Pool BKKCoins with 100% fees and people can mine for you till you are satisfied and keep producing for us... lol. Just set a target and we will will hit it.

[Ente]

You really should set up a P2Pool BKKCoins with 100% fees and people can mine for you till you are satisfied and keep producing for us... lol. Just set a target and we will will hit it.

I like that!
Make it 90% or 99% fees, so people can see how much they mined for already.

Yes, I think this is an elegant, direct and simple solution.
Aren't there pools where you can create a sub-pool? Hey, maybe the pooloperator even reduces the fee for the good cause! :-)

Ente

[Bicknellski]

You really should set up a P2Pool BKKCoins with 100% fees and people can mine for you till you are satisfied and keep producing for us... lol. Just set a target and we will will hit it.

I like that!
Make it 90% or 99% fees, so people can see how much they mined for already.

Yes, I think this is an elegant, direct and simple solution.
Aren't there pools where you can create a sub-pool? Hey, maybe the pooloperator even reduces the fee for the good cause! :-)

Ente

Anyone here can probably get someone to get you a P2Pool up in no time... give the pool operator his cut to keep the pool going and you get the rest. The payments go to a wallet you designate.

[KS]

meh...

If BKKCoins doesn't make 100BTC in "royalties" from the Klondike assemblers, I'll send him a couple of K16 miners.

(can someone please quote me for ref. ?)

[steamboat]

meh...

If BKKCoins doesn't make 100BTC in "royalties" from the Klondike assemblers, I'll send him a couple of K16 miners.

(can someone please quote me for ref. ?)

Ditto

[KS]

meh...

If BKKCoins doesn't make 100BTC in "royalties" from the Klondike assemblers, I'll send him a couple of K16 miners.

(can someone please quote me for ref. ?)

Ditto

Thank you

Edit: I didn't specify a timing. What should we say? 3 months after the assembly starts?

[erschiessen]

I have allocated the 2 chips I might get in my group buy to you BKKCoins and it seems many in our group buy who posted agree.

Thank You.

Sidenote... Gen2 Avalon Chips are 3  months out... 55nm. Hmmm interesting indeed!

Ah, Geez. I hope the design is close enough we can use existing work for a Gen 2. If this first Gen ends up being bust for me then I won't continue with later ones. It's far too much work for just a  hobby and takes almost all my awake time now.

For sure you can count that every K16 board produced in my group buy will give you 0.04 btc.
A soon you have working design tested I'll open orders and the payment will be sent to you with every order
If there is any other way to help , please ask

I like that, marto.
Big Respect!
I would like to know what other Klondike design retailers.

[bigbeninlondon]

Yea, I definitely plan to donate my first BTC1 received from mining to BKKCoins.

[Rakessh]

This pioneering effort truly puts you up there with Stallman/Wozniak/Linus Thorvalds types of heroes for sure (imo)

[sensei]

I have allocated the 2 chips I might get in my group buy to you BKKCoins and it seems many in our group buy who posted agree.

Thank You.

Sidenote... Gen2 Avalon Chips are 3  months out... 55nm. Hmmm interesting indeed!

Ah, Geez. I hope the design is close enough we can use existing work for a Gen 2. If this first Gen ends up being bust for me then I won't continue with later ones. It's far too much work for just a  hobby and takes almost all my awake time now.

You don't really sleep, do you?

[Syke]

You really should set up a P2Pool

P2pool does not work with Avalons, so I wouldn't expect Avalon-related projects to work with p2pool either.