FPGA development board "Icarus" - DisContinued/ important announcement

[hardpick]

what miner software is best for icarus ?

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[ngzhang]

what miner software is best for icarus ?

i suggest RG7 for testing or single board, MPBM for multi-boards.

[xiangfu]

what miner software is best for icarus ?

If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
  https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus

Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
 http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/

Xiangfu

[reedlaw]

@xiangfu I am wondering about using multiple Icaruses with a TP-LINK TL-WR703N host. What kind of USB hub should I use? Does it need to be powered, or will any cheap one do?

[kano]

what miner software is best for icarus ?

If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
  https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus

Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
 http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/

Xiangfu

I've switched from usagi to mining a single pool with a backup, a bit over 7 hours ago
(single pool is Ozcoin and backup is ABC)

I'm now seeing 365 to 370 Mh/s in cgminer and an increased U also on the Icarus to go with that increase MH/s
So that's the same as yours or even a little higher again.

I have 2xIcarus and 2x6950 - all 4 were getting about the same hash rate before but now with a single pool both the Icarus are a bit ahead of the 6950's
I assume that once it's been running for 24 hours the MH/s should be reasonably close to accurate
I'll see if that 365-370 is accurate or not in about 17 hours.

[kano]

I have 2xIcarus ...

Kano, how much power do your icarus boards use? Amperes@12VDC if you can measure that?

Thanks.

I'm not sure coz it did seem that running the plug paks on 240V read higher (Watts) than expected.
However, that might just be my watt meter isn't reliable.
When I get around to making a molex plug for them (who knows when I'll do that) I'll get a better idea if it was just my watt meter (which seems to be the most likely cause)

[jjiimm_64]

I have 2xIcarus ...

Kano, how much power do your icarus boards use? Amperes@12VDC if you can measure that?

Thanks.

I'm not sure coz it did seem that running the plug paks on 240V read higher (Watts) than expected.
However, that might just be my watt meter isn't reliable.
When I get around to making a molex plug for them (who knows when I'll do that) I'll get a better idea if it was just my watt meter (which seems to be the most likely cause)

you have a killawatt that works with 220?

[kano]

I have 2xIcarus ...

Kano, how much power do your icarus boards use? Amperes@12VDC if you can measure that?

Thanks.

I'm not sure coz it did seem that running the plug paks on 240V read higher (Watts) than expected.
However, that might just be my watt meter isn't reliable.
When I get around to making a molex plug for them (who knows when I'll do that) I'll get a better idea if it was just my watt meter (which seems to be the most likely cause)

you have a killawatt that works with 220?

No I have these (that are supposed to be reliable also)
http://steplight.com.au/education/monitor-energy/plug-in-electricity-power-meter/

[xiangfu]

@xiangfu I am wondering about using multiple Icaruses with a TP-LINK TL-WR703N host. What kind of USB hub should I use? Does it need to be powered, or will any cheap one do?

Just normal USB 2.0 hub will work. I am using HYUNDAI HY-HB608 USB-2.0 HUB (http://www.360buy.com/product/539608.html  it's chinese webpage. but you can check the picture). it's have a power adapter but I never use it.  I only tested 3 icarus. not sure what happen when there are more then 3.

[kano]

Just an aside - I had a power outage today so I'll not have 24 hour normal mining stats until tomorrow

[ngzhang]

by my testing is 1.66A, with standard 5CM fan.

[hardpick]

what miner software is best for icarus ?

If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
  https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus

Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
 http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/

Xiangfu

Thank  but I use windows

[xiangfu]

Hi

If you can Windows develop. there is a small bug in windows. by fix this bug. it should be works fine under Windows.
the bug is under icarus.c read from serial in windows is wrong.

what miner software is best for icarus ?

If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
  https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus

Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
 http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/

Xiangfu

Thank  but I use windows

[needbmw]

Hi ngzhang,

I've heard you are developing next hardware revision of Icarus board.
Below is my 0.02$, comments are welcome.

One necessary thing is FPGA temperature sensors. For example TI digital sensors with serial output will be OK but I have no idea how to mechanically put them to the chips (why FPGA manufacturer didn't place one directly to the die?)

Second idea (which can be easily implemented with current revision boards btw) is simple but fast SPI interface using some DIMM connector pins. SPI address and SPI/USB interface selection can be done with existing DIP switches. The goal is to develop neat carrier board with 12-16 Icarus slots, ARM/MIPS/ATOM/etc CPU board slot and good 250-350W PSU behind. We can install several big 200mm fans for the whole rack and adjust their rotation speed according to temperature sensors output.

[DeepBit]

Second idea (which can be easely implemented with current revision boards btw) is simple but fast SPI interface using some DIMM connector pins. SPI address and SPI/USB interface selection can be done with existing DIP switches.

Why use SPI and SPI2USB if you can just connect 1Wire thermal sensor and use separate MCU for temperature control ?
Of course it's possible to include 1Wire and fan control block into the FPGA firmware, but that would be more suitable for individual mining units, not multiboard farms.

[needbmw]

Second idea (which can be easely implemented with current revision boards btw) is simple but fast SPI interface using some DIMM connector pins. SPI address and SPI/USB interface selection can be done with existing DIP switches.

Why use SPI and SPI2USB if you can just connect 1Wire thermal sensor and use separate MCU for temperature control ?
Of course it's possible to include 1Wire and fan control block into the FPGA firmware, but that would be more suitable for individual mining units, not multiboard farms.

The idea is to use SPI for connecting Icarus boards inside the rig (not just temp sensors). SPI will be used instead of USB, it is easy to implement on FPGA and fast serial interface. For individual use USB will remain (interface selection can be done by user with DIP switch).

[DeepBit]

Second idea (which can be easely implemented with current revision boards btw) is simple but fast SPI interface using some DIMM connector pins. SPI address and SPI/USB interface selection can be done with existing DIP switches.

Why use SPI and SPI2USB if you can just connect 1Wire thermal sensor and use separate MCU for temperature control ?
Of course it's possible to include 1Wire and fan control block into the FPGA firmware, but that would be more suitable for individual mining units, not multiboard farms.

The idea is to use SPI for connecting Icarus boards inside the rig (not just temp sensors). SPI will be used instead of USB, it is easy to implement on FPGA and fast serial interface. For individual use USB will remain (interface selection can be done by user with DIP switch).

Oh, I was thinking that you are talking about just temperature control.
Actually there are special connectors for daisy-chaining, but it's not supported yet.

[kano]

what miner software is best for icarus ?

If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
  https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus

Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
 http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/

Xiangfu

Thank  but I use windows

My git ( https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer ) has the windows change required.
(and a pull request to ckolivas of that change also)
So if you can compile cgminer - my git should work on windows.

[hardpick]

what miner software is best for icarus ?

If you using linux I suggest you using cgminer for single or multi icaurs :-), latest commit from upstream
  https://github.com/ckolivas/cgminer
configure with --disable-opencl --disable-adl --enable-icarus

Here is mine:(Thanks kanoi. it's read only now. code is here:https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer)
 http://downloads.openmobilefree.net/Icarus/

Xiangfu

Thank  but I use windows

My git ( https://github.com/kanoi/cgminer ) has the windows change required.
(and a pull request to ckolivas of that change also)
So if you can compile cgminer - my git should work on windows.

I don't know how to complile cgminer
I will look on the forum to if i can find a tutorial on how to compile
I had hoped to find a miner that was compiled and works

Thanks for the information

[ngzhang]

Hi ngzhang,

I've heard you are developing next hardware revision of Icarus board.
Below is my 0.02$, comments are welcome.

One necessary thing is FPGA temperature sensors. For example TI digital sensors with serial output will be OK but I have no idea how to mechanically put them to the chips (why FPGA manufacturer didn't place one directly to the die?)

Second idea (which can be easily implemented with current revision boards btw) is simple but fast SPI interface using some DIMM connector pins. SPI address and SPI/USB interface selection can be done with existing DIP switches. The goal is to develop neat carrier board with 12-16 Icarus slots, ARM/MIPS/ATOM/etc CPU board slot and good 250-350W PSU behind. We can install several big 200mm fans for the whole rack and adjust their rotation speed according to temperature sensors output.

i will add a temperature sensor on the next design, but IMHO, it's useless.
because it can't be installed inside the FPGA package, and the temperature read out is just a board temp. the response time is not quick enough for protection purpose.

board interconnect can be done now, only need a bitsteam modify. this feature is still under development.

BTW,

the most challenge for the design is to reduce the core temperature.