Black Arrow 28nm 100Ghash Bitcoin ASIC from $0.49/GH/s

[blackarrow]

I'll say it again:
Replace The Backplane with Wires
As in 1 (one) SPI channel PER HASHBOARD going direct to a controller. I hope to god you didn't have all the hashboards sharing a common bus on the backplane before - because I can't imagine trying to get that to work.

Dear Jonny,

The PCIE connector has 98 pins and there are 5 connectors in each case.

If you still believe that this can be done even on one X3 (not to talk about mass production) you are welcome to come to our office and try to do this yourself.

Regards!

[raskul]

I'll say it again:
Replace The Backplane with Wires
As in 1 (one) SPI channel PER HASHBOARD going direct to a controller. I hope to god you didn't have all the hashboards sharing a common bus on the backplane before - because I can't imagine trying to get that to work.

Dear Jonny,

The PCIE connector has 98 pins and there are 5 connectors in each case.

If you still believe that this can be done even on one X3 (not to talk about mass production) you are welcome to come to our office and try to do this yourself.

Regards!

that's like an apology, but different. 

[Vcore]

I'll say it again:
Replace The Backplane with Wires
As in 1 (one) SPI channel PER HASHBOARD going direct to a controller. I hope to god you didn't have all the hashboards sharing a common bus on the backplane before - because I can't imagine trying to get that to work.

Dear Jonny,

The PCIE connector has 98 pins and there are 5 connectors in each case.

If you still believe that this can be done even on one X3 (not to talk about mass production) you are welcome to come to our office and try to do this yourself.

Regards!

Surely most of those 96 pins are power and the backplane doesn't have any problem with power does it?
So why not cutting the spi traces and running wires only for the spi?
It might not be elegant but depending on the pcb it might be workable (ie, desoldering something and putting an spi only connector glued to the board) or at least it works to test it.

[Jcga]

Prospero - China trip update, Stuart from Logic Ethos Ltd

"Hello,

I made it to Black Arrows offices.  Heathrow, Moscow, Hong Kong and crossed the Chinese border on foot.

I have meet BA's management several times before, but this is the first time I have seen the place where it all happens.

The offices are full of people. A buzz of activity, from not only their own engineers, but those of their suppliers too, trying to resolve a problem with the SPI bus.  They showed me what’s happening. 
A single 2 chip board works fine.  Add more chips, and the SPI bus fails. This effects X3 & datacenter hashing.

I spoke to BA's management last night.  They said they will make good with compensation, but they are so busy trying to fix the problems at the moment to speculate exactly what that will be.

More details here http://www.blackarro...2-may-2014.html

I'm going to stick around for a bit, at least for as long as my visa lasts, and see what happens. So if there is any news, I will post it.

Stuart"

[fivejonnyfive]

I'll say it again:
Replace The Backplane with Wires
As in 1 (one) SPI channel PER HASHBOARD going direct to a controller. I hope to god you didn't have all the hashboards sharing a common bus on the backplane before - because I can't imagine trying to get that to work.

Dear Jonny,

The PCIE connector has 98 pins and there are 5 connectors in each case.

If you still believe that this can be done even on one X3 (not to talk about mass production) you are welcome to come to our office and try to do this yourself.

Regards!

The PICE connector has 98 pins but many of them are bussed together for power. In the photos on your website I count 18 data pins on one side of the card and the rest - bussed together for power. An 18 conductor ribbon cable isn't that hard to come by, and then it would just be a matter of getting enough power to the board. I could be wrong - and I can't say I still believe this is possible because I don't have a full understanding of the PCB layout - only what I've seen in scattered photos.

A few questions before I "book my ticket":

1) What is the pinout of the hashboard?

2) Does the board create 1 SPI link between the raspberry pi when it is working, or 2 (one for each chip)?

3) Does the backplane now bus together all the SPI links from the hashboards, or is there a single isolated link between each hashboard and the controller?

4) Does the SPI "Daisy Chain" - that is to say go from the first hashboard to the backplane and into the second hashboard then back out to the backplane so on and so forth. If so has the ability of the hashboard to support this daisy chain link been verified?


I'm honestly trying to help, not trolling, and I'm a little dismayed by your dismissive response to my sincere suggestion - especially considering you guys openly asked for help.  




Oh, one more thing. Even if it was all 98 conductors active there are commercially available parts for that.
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/20753/cab-1908/PCI-Express_PCI-E_x16_Extension_Cable_Riser_-_7.html

[nexus99]

Sounds like there will be a big shipment of x1 to minersource next week. Anyone have a date for the arrival of the cases and the date of shipping to minersource?  Does minersource already have the ceaseless x1 units?

[ChuckBuck]

A quick Google search on SPI indicates you need to terminate both SCK and MOSI with 1K resistors.

I was going to make a sarcastic joke about them not checking google, then i realized they're in China and can't check google....

Don't they have Baidu, then?  Their major search engine says:

http://baike.baidu.com/link?url=4CMzx7Iab7004XcqzRhYxfRnPd1Bms7HQjyvRL2-vKpnuc8h5t5gUNww93ScPP9a

I know, shittier and censored, compared to Google, but sometimes you gotta make due with what you got when the angry mob's at your door.

[notindexed]

Preordered 10 X1 from BA back in December.

When u first failed to deliver in February i asked for the possibility for a refund in march.

After really slow support on the tickets you asked for my wire details etc and made me believe that you would finally proceed refunds.

Then again weeks later you tell me that refunds aren't possible till May, which also was the next promised shipping date.

Prefering hardware over late cash i choose to stick with you folks in good faith and opted for the hardware in May.

Now, again almost a month late you still have no working & complete hardware and you telling your backers that a refund isn't possible anymore. This is ridiculous and i smell noone ever got a refund from you guys :/

So Black Arrow it is clearly your duty to provide your backers with fully assembled and working miners and a fair compensation.
Offering compensation in the form of paperweight hardware is a joke. 50% hashingpower after this long delay is a joke too. And to top all this, making your backers pay for additional parts and shipping to get their compensation units work is total bulls!?#

Deliver what your customers payed for, FULLY WORKING AND ASSEMBLED MINERS.
Give us a real compensation, 200% of ordered hashingpower, while still not that great would be acceptable.

Ofc free shipping and with PSUs…
I'd rather get one or two less compensation units then having to send you folks more cash.

[tempestb]

I wonder if by adding the second connection to the SPI if it is losing power?  It should be in third state I imagine.  Difficult to make any guesses without having any idea of what is going on. 

[eightcylinders]

I wonder if by adding the second connection to the SPI if it is losing power?  It should be in third state I imagine.  Difficult to make any guesses without having any idea of what is going on. 

I really believe it's going to turn out to be an a dressing problem.  Without more details from BA though it's hard to help them.

[notindexed]

http://www.richgibson.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/When_Did_Ignorance_Become_A_Point_Of_View__Cover.jpg

Delays are one thing, blatantly lying to your backers another.

Go away.

[sirsmokesalot]

Preordered 10 X1 from BA back in December.

When u first failed to deliver in February i asked for the possibility for a refund in march.

After really slow support on the tickets you asked for my wire details etc and made me believe that you would finally proceed refunds.

Then again weeks later you tell me that refunds aren't possible till May, which also was the next promised shipping date.

Prefering hardware over late cash i choose to stick with you folks in good faith and opted for the hardware in May.

Now, again almost a month late you still have no working & complete hardware and you telling your backers that a refund isn't possible anymore. This is ridiculous and i smell noone ever got a refund from you guys :/

So Black Arrow it is clearly your duty to provide your backers with fully assembled and working miners and a fair compensation.
Offering compensation in the form of paperweight hardware is a joke. 50% hashingpower after this long delay is a joke too. And to top all this, making your backers pay for additional parts and shipping to get their compensation units work is total bulls!?#

Deliver what your customers payed for, FULLY WORKING AND ASSEMBLED MINERS.
Give us a real compensation, 200% of ordered hashingpower, while still not that great would be acceptable.

Ofc free shipping and with PSUs…
I'd rather get one or two less compensation units then having to send you folks more cash.

Are you serious?  Do you really think they're going to agree with any of your compensation suggestions.  Get real mate....  You pre-ordered and knew the risks like the rest of us.  Life's a gamble, all your chips went on black and it's landed in the red.  I wish we all went green and scored but we didn't!  Sad... but stop asking for compensation...  You should be happy with your order because that's all  you ordered knowing fully that there could be delays or problems and if you didn't then....  I'm not gonna say what I think.

If they offer compensation then I'll be happy but I'm not going to be stupid enough to demand anything because 'I' made a wrong decision! 

You did ask for a refund and then changed your mind again.  Maybe you'd have your refund if you didn't take the gamble and stay with the hardware.  Hmmmm... who's fault is that?

I'm sorry but I've lost a crap load with this deal, I didn't order 1 x X3 or 1 x X1 like the majority probably would have but I'm a realist and take full responsibility for my own actions... I've even kept the wife and five kids updated so they know exactly what Dad is going through right now because they give me strength.  Another reason I don't want to see pathetic whimpering on here about how hard done by people are because of their own actions.

I'm confident we will have the completed systems within the next few weeks.  Bitcoin is doing well right now so we all may still have some chance, who knows but I'm sticking with it and crossing fingers.

lol, since you like casting stones, i do as well.

Maybe someone with 5 kids shouldn't be gambling his money on btc miners. Maybe he should gamble on birth control instead 

Just to go full douche bag on you, Your text should go after the /quote tag. You can even preview in the future to avoid such embarrassment!

Welcome to bitcointalk!

[ChuckBuck]

Thanks sirsmokesalot!  That text within the old quote bothered me too, just didn't want to say it.

[tempestb]

Blah... Blah... Blah...  Compensation...  Blah...  No Refunds...  Blah... Blah... Angry Blah... 

500 posts of that crap is enough.  I'll check back on Wednesday and see how things are going.

[necro_nemesis]

Blah... Blah... Blah...  Compensation...  Blah...  No Refunds...  Blah... Blah... Angry Blah... 

500 posts of that crap is enough.  I'll check back on Wednesday and see how things are going.

Too bad BTC isn't rewarded by posting. This place would be full of millionaires.

[ChuckBuck]

Blah... Blah... Blah...  Compensation...  Blah...  No Refunds...  Blah... Blah... Angry Blah... 

500 posts of that crap is enough.  I'll check back on Wednesday and see how things are going.

Too bad BTC isn't rewarded by posting. This place would be full of millionaires.

Yeah, these thread is full of dicks. It is stupid, how can you justify being upset and posting to a company well all they have done is take your money then delay a little, lie, delay more, ignore you, say you can't have refunds, delay more, ignore lots more, compensate by making you buy psu's, then say well be can't figure it out you can have minions though, be rude at suggestions and not post pictures of "just waiting for case" x-1's. Talk about over dramatic.

Exactly, how dare we customers raise a stink, we have no right or no stake in this project at all.

BA would've been just fine without us customers.  They'd be able to fund...oh...that's right we did fund this operation.

Guess we do have a say in the process.

[tracyhh]

@blackarrow,
Dear sir,
so you finally putout your terms and conditions?which is absolutely unfair to customer...
please read this, I also pm and email you:
1.to buy bitcoin for investment is one thing,if I buy a high price,that's my problem,so i should take responsibility for that myself.besides, i can wait a suitable price to sell or not sell at all.that depends on market.
buy your miner is another.you promise ship to me on the end of Feb.but until now,I got nothing.what?it seems I should take responsibility for that?when customer buy something that even not got it at all,they have no right to request a refund?remember I am the customer ,not your investor!

2.Of course I want get my miner as soon as possible. in bitcoin, we all know mining earlier can make more profit.what?I should buy your products and wait a few years not get it? the price of miner keep dropping,diff for bitcoin keep increasing..what?I shall be very calm down like this is not my business and happy to see that?

3.Understanding is for each other...I know you are in a bad situation,but so do I,I also buy a miner in BITMINE.they also messed up.and I compare they to you and other miner sell company in china like bitmain. said you even do a better job in these days.you kept updating news and increasing compensation.it seems fair on that time ,and told us can start shipping on May frist.but with the time passing we all know the compensations are not enough. I even be excite when you succeed on your chips. but now,what I should say? Bitmine can accept refund at least . 
4.it's shame for you to put out your unfair terms and conditions. check Bitmine's .it seems a little fair in someway. this reflect confidence on their company.I am not sure if I am right for I said you did better job than Bitmine now.besides and most important is: it's legal or not on your terms or conditions may depends...In China your business like this may be regarded as "非法集资，商业诈骗"。I don't know how to trans to English in a right way."非法集资主要取决与向特定人集资的特定人如何判定，现在在你们网站上通过购买期货商品的方式不符合特定人标准，即任何个人或法人都可任意地通过购买的方式使你们达到集资的效果。并且这集资数额随便有几千万的。且现在看来，你们在知道2月底无法交货的情况下仍然以此为期限向非特定人兜售你们还未生产出的期货商品且诱使受害人同意或变相同意了对受害人完全不公平的任何协议 这都构成商业诈骗行为。。"
so, let's imagine this:if you failed on your project and could not make a machine FULL WORK AND ASSEMBLED you promised and customer purchased..and customer got nothing at last....you think this is legal and reasonable?

alright,Sir,I beg you,which is shame for me as a customer,I beg you this time to refund me values $6068.13 which I paid for my order. please, be fair and refund me. do as a good company do...

[tracyhh]

@blackarrow,
Dear sir,
so you finally putout your terms and conditions?which is absolutely unfair to customer...
please read this, I also pm and email you:
1.to buy bitcoin for investment is one thing,if I buy a high price,that's my problem,so i should take responsibility for that myself.besides, i can wait a suitable price to sell or not sell at all.that depends on market.
buy your miner is another.you promise ship to me on the end of Feb.but until now,I got nothing.what?it seems I should take responsibility for that?when customer buy something that even not got it at all,they have no right to request a refund?remember I am the customer ,not your investor!

2.Of course I want get my miner as soon as possible. in bitcoin, we all know mining earlier can make more profit.what?I should buy your products and wait a few years not get it? the price of miner keep dropping,diff for bitcoin keep increasing..what?I shall be very calm down like this is not my business and happy to see that?

3.Understanding is for each other...I know you are in a bad situation,but so do I,I also buy a miner in BITMINE.they also messed up.and I compare they to you and other miner sell company in china like bitmain. said you even do a better job in these days.you kept updating news and increasing compensation.it seems fair on that time ,and told us can start shipping on May frist.but with the time passing we all know the compensations are not enough. I even be excite when you succeed on your chips. but now,what I should say? Bitmine can accept refund at least . 
4.it's shame for you to put out your unfair terms and conditions. check Bitmine's .it seems a little fair in someway. this reflect confidence on their company.I am not sure if I am right for I said you did better job than Bitmine now.besides and most important is: it's legal or not on your terms or conditions may depends...In China your business like this may be regarded as "非法集资，商业诈骗"。I don't know how to trans to English in a right way."非法集资主要取决与向特定人集资的特定人如何判定，现在在你们网站上通过购买期货商品的方式不符合特定人标准，即任何个人或法人都可任意地通过购买的方式使你们达到集资的效果。并且这集资数额随便有几千万的。且现在看来，你们在知道2月底无法交货的情况下仍然以此为期限向非特定人兜售你们还未生产出的期货商品且诱使受害人同意或变相同意了对受害人完全不公平的任何协议 这都构成商业诈骗行为。。"
so, let's imagine this:if you failed on your project and could not make a machine FULL WORK AND ASSEMBLED you promised and customer purchased..and customer got nothing at last....you think this is legal and reasonable?

alright,Sir,I beg you,which is shame for me as a customer,I beg you this time to refund me values $6068.13 which I paid for my order. please, be fair and refund me. do as a good company do...

@blcakarrow,
email no reply?
call the phone no reply?

[tracyhh]

@blackarrow,
Dear sir,
so you finally putout your terms and conditions?which is absolutely unfair to customer...
please read this, I also pm and email you:
1.to buy bitcoin for investment is one thing,if I buy a high price,that's my problem,so i should take responsibility for that myself.besides, i can wait a suitable price to sell or not sell at all.that depends on market.
buy your miner is another.you promise ship to me on the end of Feb.but until now,I got nothing.what?it seems I should take responsibility for that?when customer buy something that even not got it at all,they have no right to request a refund?remember I am the customer ,not your investor!

2.Of course I want get my miner as soon as possible. in bitcoin, we all know mining earlier can make more profit.what?I should buy your products and wait a few years not get it? the price of miner keep dropping,diff for bitcoin keep increasing..what?I shall be very calm down like this is not my business and happy to see that?

3.Understanding is for each other...I know you are in a bad situation,but so do I,I also buy a miner in BITMINE.they also messed up.and I compare they to you and other miner sell company in china like bitmain. said you even do a better job in these days.you kept updating news and increasing compensation.it seems fair on that time ,and told us can start shipping on May frist.but with the time passing we all know the compensations are not enough. I even be excite when you succeed on your chips. but now,what I should say? Bitmine can accept refund at least .  
4.it's shame for you to put out your unfair terms and conditions. check Bitmine's .it seems a little fair in someway. this reflect confidence on their company.I am not sure if I am right for I said you did better job than Bitmine now.besides and most important is: it's legal or not on your terms or conditions may depends...In China your business like this may be regarded as "非法集资，商业诈骗"。I don't know how to trans to English in a right way."非法集资主要取决与向特定人集资的特定人如何判定，现在在你们网站上通过购买期货商品的方式不符合特定人标准，即任何个人或法人都可任意地通过购买的方式使你们达到集资的效果。并且这集资数额随便有几千万的。且现在看来，你们在知道2月底无法交货的情况下仍然以此为期限向非特定人兜售你们还未生产出的期货商品且诱使受害人同意或变相同意了对受害人完全不公平的任何协议 这都构成商业诈骗行为。。"
so, let's imagine this:if you failed on your project and could not make a machine FULL WORK AND ASSEMBLED you promised and customer purchased..and customer got nothing at last....you think this is legal and reasonable?

alright,Sir,I beg you,which is shame for me as a customer,I beg you this time to refund me values $6068.13 which I paid for my order. please, be fair and refund me. do as a good company do...

@blcakarrow,
email no reply?
call the phone no reply?

update: phone replied...

[sorehammer]

They asked do you you want fried rice with that

Couldn't resist it sorry