Assembled Minimig v1.1, larger FPGA (BGA-package)

[ThomasML]

I'm making a new PCB layout based on the v1.1 schematics, and I'm wondering how many would be interested in this. My plan for the design is this:
* Add the slightly larger BGA-version of the FPGA (173 IO pins instead of 141).
* Make the board be 12cm x 12cm (to meet nano-itx requirements)
* Equip the board with pinout headers instead of the various connectors to make it easier to adapt to any casing.

I'm still asking around at various PCB manufacturers for pricing on manufacturing and assembly, so I don't know any price yet, I'm hoping to have it by the end of the week, or early next week.

So the part where I need feedback (in privmsg, I would prefer):
* How many assembled boards do you want?
* Do you want a kit with pinout -> connector for all the connectors that's on the current minimig-design?  (I'm trying to figure out if enough people want this to make it part of the package I should send off to the factory)

--
Thomas

[Darrin]

I just want an assembled Minimig board.  I'm prepared to build my own case, but that's about it.  It's a nice idea to have the ports connect to pins so that they can be positioned by the user in whatever case they either buy or build, but I'm not particularly bothered.

Whoever produces the first assembled models for sale will get an order from me.  I'm probably going to need 3 Minimigs:  1 for me and 2 for the kids.  Of course, I could pass "mine" onto the kids if I end up upgrading to a more advanced Minimig design.

Good luck with your project.

[techie]

Depending on the price I might be interested in purchasing a board.

PM has been sent.
 

[1NOM155]

you have my support, if you need help say it.

[Fester]

Hi Thomas,

I want one assembled board with whatever connector options is easiest for you to deliver.

Fester

[Hans_]

Seeing as you're making it nano-itx size, you might want to have a look if there are any standard nano-itx connector layouts you could use. With mini-itx there are standard layouts (or at least a standard backplate area that you can use). If you do go completely the pin header route, please use the standard pin header layouts for things such as the serial port; it'll make connecting them up so much easier.

Hans

[AJCopland]

Couple of questions:
What will you do with the unused pins, bring them to an empty header/pin array for expansion?
Are there any other differences between the BGA and QFP versions of the FPGA?

Andy

PS: I'd also be interested in an assembled one, have already said I'd take at least one blank board from Xenepp so will honour that request as well.

[ThomasML]

Hans_ wrote:
Seeing as you're making it nano-itx size, you might want to have a look if there are any standard nano-itx connector layouts you could use. With mini-itx there are standard layouts (or at least a standard backplate area that you can use). If you do go completely the pin header route, please use the standard pin header layouts for things such as the serial port; it'll make connecting them up so much easier.

There's hard to find any white papers about the Nano-itx. Via has white papers on mini-itx and pico-itx, but nothing on nano-itx, so I've looked at motherboard documents to see where the mounting holes needs to be.  I'm definitely going down the pinheader route, so no need to worry about matching the backplate, and I'm also going to use standard layouts for the serial-ports, for instance.

--
Thomas

[ThomasML]

AJCopland wrote:
Couple of questions:
What will you do with the unused pins, bring them to an empty header/pin array for expansion?

Yes, I'll route them to a pinheader array so that they can be used for whatever people like.

Are there any other differences between the BGA and QFP versions of the FPGA?

Not much besides more IO-pins and some extra dollars in cost, no.

[/quote]
PS: I'd also be interested in an assembled one, have already said I'd take at least one blank board from Xenepp so will honour that request as well.
[/quote]

This is why I was a bit reluctant to announce this, I wanted to get feedback from Xenepp first, to make sure he didn't end up with a large batch of blank boards.  But, I haven't heard anything from him yet, I am afraid :-(

--
Thomas

[maffoo]

I would be interested in an assembled board, with any connector options (although I like the idea of an ATX-style backplane.)

[CD32Freak]

Great idea, but uhm...

Make the board be 12cm x 12cm

...isn't the original Minimig board already that size? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimig :-?

[Belial6]

I might be interested based on cost.  I already have an order with Xenepp, so, price will be a factor.  The v1.1 from Xenepp will get me started, but the added expandability of the larger BGA has interest for future updates.  I wouldn't be entirely against buying one if a larger run would reduce the manufacturing cost, so that those that will be doing updates can more easily afford them.

I do think it would be a good idea if a model naming scheme could be implemented so that we could easily keep track of what is what.  

I started a  MiniMig Model Name thread

[AJCopland]

ThomasML wrote:

AJCopland wrote:
PS: I'd also be interested in an assembled one, have already said I'd take at least one blank board from Xenepp so will honour that request as well.

This is why I was a bit reluctant to announce this, I wanted to get feedback from Xenepp first, to make sure he didn't end up with a large batch of blank boards.  But, I haven't heard anything from him yet, I am afraid :-(

--
Thomas

Don't worry I'm still going to get one of those bare boards from Xenepp like I said :-D However I suspect I'll be buying many variants of the MiniMig over the coming years!

The bare board will allow me to choose components and to build one myself, however one using a larger BGA version like yours would be best pre-assembled as I can't do BGA myself.

Andy

[tonyyeb]

I have on eon order with Xenepp but still might be insterested in at least one other. But would like to know price first.

Thanks

[wesssper]

Hi,

I would be interested in an assembled board. I am ok with the original design since it's part of the fun to make a custom case for it.

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Per-Erik