Author Topic: Hardware Discussion (Read 28265 times)

alberthrocks · « **on:** August 07, 2010, 01:22:57 pm »

A super speedy calc that even makes you look slow!

Let's start the discussion for the OTARM!

Processor: OMAP TI Processor SoC, 1 GHz (??)
RAM: 512 MB (??)
ROM: 256 MB (??)
LCD: Colorful display, full color here! I suggest res of 320x240, or higher with same aspect ratio. Also, backlight adjustment is also a good idea.
LCD Driver: Not sure, OMAP core might power it
Touchscreen: ??
Keypad: Nspire like, but not copying them
Ports: Mini USB, regular USB, Eithernet, Video (

), 2.5/3.5mm port (??)
Wifi/Bluetooth: Yes, if possible/allowed. AM/FM radio integration perhaps?

[Changes/Additions]
SD Slot: Yes

Dev hardware: BeagleBoard xM (or older), found at http://beagleboard.org/hardware-xM.
Note that this is DEVELOPER hardware, NOT production hardware. Usually it's modified, recreated for prototype, and then sent for mass production.

Some images of the dev hardware:

Old, non xM one:

Non xM dev hardware is $149, the xM dev hardware is $179.
Check the specs out here:
Non xM: http://beagleboard.org/hardware
xM: http://beagleboard.org/hardware-xM

And here's a link to an example implementation of BeagleBoard:
http://antipastohw.blogspot.com/2010/08/using-open-source-graphing-calculator.html

So after all that.... it boils down to:

1) Which processor do you want: fast or slower one? (Note: xM is 1 GHz, old one is 600 MHz)
2) What other features do you want?
3) What screen (and where)? (And other hardware decisions)

jnesselr · « **Reply #1 on:** August 07, 2010, 01:47:30 pm »

I don't think we should do a touchscreen

SirCmpwn · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2010, 01:50:56 pm »

I agree. Touch screens are nice, but lots of users like to have a stylus with their touchscreens (more cumbersome), and it would not provide much help towards math (who wants to use an on-screen numpad?).
I also think we should have 1GB of user storage.

fb39ca4 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2010, 01:53:32 pm »

I think specs like this is overkill. Also, battery drain is an issue. The non xm beagleboard uses 350ma @ 4.8v, so we would need some large batteries to keep it going for a while. I would aim for >20 hrs of battery life on 4 AA alkaline batteries.
As for the processor, I would say 200mhz at most, and a low power consumption one too.
Feature-wise, we should definitely have a micro-usb port. Also, a 3.5 mm port for connecting to TI calcs and headphones. I'm a little iffy on a SD card slot. It seems a bit too much for a calculator. We might want a second gpu chip, that can do image scaling and rotating, and filling polygons. (For the 3d geometry, we'll say

)
The screen should be 320x240, similar to the Nspire's, but have color. I think 4-bit rgb will be enough. (light and dark RGBCMY, black, white, and two shades of gray)

SirCmpwn · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2010, 01:57:38 pm »

I don't agree with the GPU, or the micro-usb. Micro-usb is much more supported.
And if an SD card slot is too much, a GPU is *way* too much

freezway · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:00:04 pm »

I've thought of doing something like this once... Power drain is a major issue. I agree with fb, no more than 200MHz... Also, you could try to duplicate a 83/84 family calc, but do it as cheaply as possible...

http://imgs.xkcd.com/comics/1996.png

also, for low power this would be interesting

fb39ca4 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:29:12 pm »

That looks interesting, [propeller chip] but it is a competely different architecture, that almost essentially no one here is familiar with. We could have multiple low-performance chips, but it may get complicated. As for the gpu, I was thinking of something very basic, with the capabilities of say, the Super FX chip used in SNES games. It would be used for some sort of 3D-geometry program.

alberthrocks · « **Reply #7 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:32:12 pm »

@graphmastur, sircmpwn: I agree. Touchscreens won't work. Editing it off.

@fb39ca4: Well, idk. Battery life is a problem. You really can't get 200 mhz - there's only 600 mhz and 1 GHz.
It's definitely going to be full, 32 bit color (we're more free in this part of the project, and the other ARM based devices have it).

I'm not sure - is there any other dev kits out there that is power efficient?
I think the xM should have improved it's power intake, and the calc also will shut off by its own.

@SirCmpwn: That was for a Z80 calc. This is an ARM calc, aka the calc in which you can stuff plenty of things in.
Including the SD card.

And were you saying you want micro USB or not?
AND the GPU, as I just found out, is integrated. No stealing the GPU now, eh?

The GPU is just there for easy 2D/3D stuff with the interface. Nothing else.
Of course, if you wanted to, you could try playing TuxRacer on it...

@freezway: Wow, so many new members!

Anyway, this is the wrong project to look at for competition against TI-8x calcs. Go here: http://ourl.ca/6594

DJ Omnimaga · « **Reply #8 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:36:26 pm »

SD card slot would be awesome. The Casio FX-9860 SD has one.

http://edu.casio.com/products/graphic/fx9860g/

fb39ca4 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:38:24 pm »

So does the HP 49g+ and 50g.

DJ Omnimaga · « **Reply #10 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:40:53 pm »

It does, too?

I think it would be a nice idea actually. Otherwise, maybe a USB jumpdrive slot. The thing is that it would make it much easier to transfer data from the calc to a computer or another calc. Much less hassle with linking softwares not working like with TI calcs.

alberthrocks · « **Reply #11 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:42:41 pm »

I was thinking about adding a regular USB slot. Any objections anyone?

DJ Omnimaga · « **Reply #12 on:** August 07, 2010, 02:51:15 pm »

regular USB slot would be nice. We would not need an adapter like with USB8x on the 84+.

fb39ca4 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 07, 2010, 03:09:46 pm »

We could have the calc act like a usb mass storage device, eliminating the need for linking software.

SirCmpwn · « **Reply #14 on:** August 07, 2010, 04:31:15 pm »

I object - it would be too thick. The calculator should stay fairly thin, and the addition of a standard USB slot adds a ton. A mini-usb works fine. Plus, we can bundle it with a mini-usb male<->standard usb male and a mini-usb male<->standard usb female cable, supporting everything.

Author Topic: Hardware Discussion (Read 28265 times)

alberthrocks

Hardware Discussion

jnesselr

Re: Hardware Discussion

SirCmpwn

Re: Hardware Discussion

fb39ca4

Re: Hardware Discussion

SirCmpwn

Re: Hardware Discussion

freezway

Re: Hardware Discussion

fb39ca4

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alberthrocks

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DJ Omnimaga

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fb39ca4

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DJ Omnimaga

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alberthrocks

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DJ Omnimaga

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fb39ca4

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SirCmpwn

Re: Hardware Discussion