Gerald Coley

Why Do Open Hardware;A Developer’s Perspective

gerald@beagleboard.org

Why Open Hardware?• The embedded world needs engines

– Building engines take time– One engine is not enough– Different tasks need different engines

• The best engine will have:– The right features – The right Software– The best available HW documentation– Broad support– Large following

• OH can be a great source of these engines

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A Developer’s Perspective• Viewed as an Originator

– Someone that creates, builds, tests, verifies, and then publishes OH

• Viewed as a Consumer– Someone that leverages OH in their own design

• Viewed as a Contributor– Someone that improves the OH design and publishes

the design as OH

Topics• Viewed as an Originator

– Someone that creates, builds, tests, verifies, and then publishes OH.

• Chip Provider• Platform Provider• Software Provider

• Viewed as a Consumer– Someone that leverages OH in their own design

• Viewed as a Contributor– Someone that improves the OH design and publishes

the design as OH

Originator-Chip Provider

• This is where it all starts• OH was something new to Texas Instruments• Dozens of spin off development board designs and

modules based on BeagleBoard OH• OH has been a success for Texas Instruments

– Lowers support cost– Chance to learn from the community– Improve the SW offerings for the customer – Great Marketing Tool

• Are chip provider’s required to do OH to enable other OH platforms?

• If engaged, will chip providers contribute to the success of OH?

Originator-Platform Provider• The true OH gurus• Known as the “original chef” • Targeted to a particular audience• Promote their architecture and feature set• Encourages others to make add-on boards and

derivatives• Grow their audience• Increase sales of their board• Increase SW availability

Originator-Software Provider• Their Main product is Software and Tools• Easy access to hardware that runs your SW offering• Insure HW compatibility

– Lower support cost

• Faster than trying to drive a standard– Your board ready when you are ready– Can also leverage already available platforms

• Grow your audience• Promote your tools and name• Great marketing tool

Consumer• Risk Reduction

– Known quantity using open hardware – Ability to focus on your value add or differentiation

• Lower development cost– Less issues using OH– Shorter development time

• SW work can start immediately on the OH board– Focus on your IP and value add– Shorter development cycle

• Lots of resources to leverage– HW and SW – You are not alone

Consumer Caveats• Different skill levels of consumers

– Lost – not a clue where to start– Experienced with limitations; don’t know what they don’t know

• OH is not a guaranty of success.– It is a great starting point, but you have to know what you are doing to

integrate the design• There are varying levels of technologies

– Thru-hole technologies are straight forward; fine pitch BGA, SMT are not

– Some may be new to you and/or your suppliers• You will need to make adjustments and be willing to learn

– All PCB shops have their differences– All Assembly house have their quirks– Adjustment cycles will be needed

• If you have no experience you need to take it to people that do– Talk to originator of the design you used

Contributors• There are challenges to get the best to contribute• Will a Consumer become a contributor?

– Improvement takes a lot of effort and time– Improvement will come from inclusion in a product;

• only if that product is OH will it deliver design improvement– What motivates them to improve the original?– What will motivate them to make their product OH?

• Who in reality are the best candidates to be a contributor?– Another Platform Provider– Another Software Provider– Another Originator

The Open Hardware Dream• OH creates competition to provide the best

engines• OH gives us a choice of engines • OH provides the freedom to choose• OH gives us the opportunity to change the way

things are done

What Exactly is Open Hardware?

Let’s make sure it isn't this…..?

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