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OSHUG #9 - Chips, Thursday 21st April 2011.
by Andrew Back 24 Mar '11

24 Mar '11

OSHUG #9 — Chips (Programmable Logic, Computer Conservation with FPGAs, OpenCores & OpenRISC 1000) On the 21st April 2011, 18:00 - 20:00 at Skills Matter, 116-120 Goswell Road, London, EC1V 7DP, UK (51.525335, -0.099056) Registration: http://oshug.org/event/9 Programmable logic, and in particular field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), is a topic that has frequently come up at OSHUG meetings, both in informal discussion and in presentations (see use of FPGAs in projects covered at OSHUG #5 & OSHUG #8). This is a particularly exciting technology in the context of open source hardware, as it presents an opportunity to realise performance gains approaching those that are associated with custom silicon – an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) - albeit without the enormous foundry start-up costs which make this largely the reserve of major industry. Furthermore, the design artefacts lend themselves to collaborative development and can be handled in a manner similar to that employed with the source code to computer software. At the ninth OSHUG meeting we will be given an introduction to programmable logic and the associated development cycle, we'll hear about applications in computer conservation, and we will learn about open source chip design, the OpenCores community and the MIPS-like OpenRISC 1000 CPU. // A Brief Introduction to Programmable Logic Programmable Logic Devices - mainly FPGAs – are frequently utilised in high speed and computationally intensive applications, and with modern devices containing several million transistors and many gigabits/second of connectivity they are becoming increasingly popular in the race to achieve exascale computing power. But what does this all mean and how can FPGAs achieve this processing power? How do they differ from the good old CPUs we have in our everyday computers? In essence, an FPGA is a device that contains configurable blocks of logic along with flexible interconnect between these blocks. They can be configured to contain exactly and only those operations that appear in the algorithms employed in a particular application, which can potentially give them quite a bit of an advantage in terms of throughput and efficiency when compared to static instruction set processors such as a traditional x86 CPU. In this short introductory talk we will cover the basics of programmable logic devices and talk about the design, synthesis, simulation, implementation and programming cycles associated with FPGA projects. Omer Kilic is a research student at the University of Kent working on dynamically reconfigurable architectures and embedded systems. When he is not busy working on his PhD project (a reconfigurable heterogeneous computing framework) or running lab classes, he enjoys tinkering and drinking good beer. // Computer Conservation with FPGAs Having acquired an IBM System/360 Model 30 mainframe whilst he was at university, Lawrence Wilkinson brought it back to life, then abandoned it when the rent and power costs became a drain, and has since felt very guilty. As they became obsolete in the early 1970s, very few IBM System/360s now exist in running order. To make amends he embarked on a project of re-creating the Model 30 as a gate-level simulation, using the original circuits and microcode. While the software-based Hercules emulator is available to run all 360 and 370 software, Lawrence's programmable logic-based solution faithfully replicates the Model 30 with its limited storage and I/O capability, and provides a front panel interface. The basic CPU is implemented in a Xilinx S3 FPGA and the VHDL is available for download under the GPL. Development of the project continues with the further addition of storage and I/O devices. Lawrence Wilkinson started out as an Electrical and Electronic Engineer in Auckland in the 1980s, transmogrified into an IT and Accounting support person in the late 80s, then went back to hardware and low-level software upon moving to England in the mid 90s. Eventually ending up with the new BAR Formula 1 team, he spent a few years writing and supporting on-car control software, won the World Championship with Brawn Grand Prix in 2009, and currently supports various factory test systems for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix in Northamptonshire. // OpenCores, Chip Design and the OpenRISC 1000 Opencores dates back to 1999 as a forum for open source chip designs, primarily intended for FPGA, but also used in ASIC. It now hosts several hundred designs, and has over 100,000 registered users world wide. This talk will look at what is involved in putting together an open source chip design. In particular the licensing issues represent a challenge, with standard F/OSS licenses having serious weaknesses when it comes to licensing hardware. It will finish with an overview of OpenCores' flagship project, the OpenRISC 1000. This is a 32-bit MIPS-like RISC processor, with a full reference SoC design. It comes with a GNU development tool chain, a number of RTOS ports and an up to date uClibc Linux kernel/BusyBox implementation. In recent years the entire front-end design flow has become open source, as open source electronic design automation (EDA) tools have become available. It has now reached the stage of maturity where some of its development is by commercially funded engineers, as well as a large community of volunteers. Dr Jeremy Bennett is Chief Executive of Embecosm Limited. Embecosmi provides open source services, tools and models to facilitate embedded software development with complex systems-on chip. He spends two days a month working as the Embedded Systems Champion for the Electronics, Sensors and Photonics KTN, which seeks to improve the flow of knowledge between academia and industry. He can be contacted via jeremy.bennett(a)embecosm.com. Note: Please aim to arrive for 18:00 - 18:20 as the event will start at 18:30 prompt. Registration: http://oshug.org/event/9

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Open Source 5 axis CNC Router & Plasma Machine Plans 5'x10'
by Andrew Back 15 Mar '11

15 Mar '11

A nice find by Sebastien of the MilkyMist project... Cheers, Andrew -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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OSHUG #7 - BBC Radio 5 Live.
by Andrew Back 15 Feb '11

15 Feb '11

I asked the speakers at last week's OSHUG meeting a few questions for Outriders on BBC Radio 5 Live. This was broadcast in the early hours of this morning and is now up as a podcast. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/outriders/2011/02/histories_stories_and_current.… Cheers, Andrew -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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Why the Arduino Won and Why It’s Here to Stay.
by Andrew Back 14 Feb '11

14 Feb '11

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2011/02/why-the-arduino-won-and-why-its-he… -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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OSHUG #7, Thursday 10th February.
by Andrew Back 10 Feb '11

10 Feb '11

Hello, Just a quick note to say that if you haven't yet registered for the next OSHUG meeting you would be advised to do so soon, as we are almost at capacity. Also, bearing this in mind, if you have registered and find yourself now unable to attend please can you cancel your booking so that someone else may register. http://oshuglearning.eventbrite.com/ Cheers, Andrew -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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Open Source Hardware Definition 1.0 released.
by Andrew Back 10 Feb '11

10 Feb '11

http://freedomdefined.org/OSHW Regards, Andrew -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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OSHUG #7 - Learning, Thursday 10th February.
by Andrew Back 08 Jan '11

08 Jan '11

Hello, Registration is now live for OSHUG #7: http://oshug.org/event/7 Details below. Cheers, Andrew -- OSHUG #7 — Learning (BBC, Tinker London) On the 10th Feb 2011, 18:00 - 20:30 at BBC White City Media Centre, 201 Wood Lane, London, W12 7TQ, UK (51.513359, -0.227874) The ability to study and improve the design of open source hardware is a core principle and it follows therefore that as a methodology it is well suited to learning environments. Community, collaboration and ecosystem are also central open source hardware, however, ambitious projects that embraced these principles existed long before its advent. At the seventh OSHUG meeting we'll be hearing from ex-BBC employees that were intimately involved in the BBC's Computer Literacy Project, the creation of the BBC Micro and the Domesday project. First hand experiences from that heady time during the 1980s when the UK was at the forefront of microcomputer development will frame the opportunity that faces us once again. Whereas lessons learnt will help us to build on these experiences and to strive to ensure that pitfalls are avoided. We will also be hearing from Tinker London about experiences of teaching open source technologies and how this differs from more traditional approaches to learning. Kindly hosted by BBC Learning Development. // The BBC Computer Literacy Project Why did the BBC embark on one of its most ambitious projects - the Computer Literacy Project - in 1982? What was the scene like then and how successful was the enterprise. What technical issues were involved? 85% of schools used BBC Micros and millions were sold, along with best selling books and software, including 'telesoftware'. What is the legacy - if at all? How did the work then benefit BBC technology now? After being Head of Science at Beaumont and Stonyhurst Colleges, David Allen joined the BBC in 1969 as an Assistant producer/director. He became producer and then executive producer of a range of programmes. As a programme maker, he was series editor of the BBC Computer Literacy Project 1982-1986 and intimately connected with the creation of the BBC Microcomputer. He received seven awards (including the New York Film Festival, Sony Innovation awards, RTS Judges Award and Times Technology Programme of the Year two years running. With BBC R&D helped evolve radio cameras and virtual studio production. When David retired he was executive producer in Production Modernisation. He is currently making documentaries for BBC R&D and for Historic Royal Palaces. // The BBC Domesday Project - If I could Do it All Over Again The BBC Domesday Project was an interactive media production made as part of celebrations of the 900th anniversary of William the Conqueror's Domesday Book of 1086. It was a technical triumph, combining digital data with analogue pictures, video and sound with an innovative user interface running on an 8-bit BBC Microcomputer controlling a state-of-the-art laser videodisc. 25 years later it has still not been possible to republish something that over a million people helped to make, and despite sometime heroic reclamation and preservation, it is still virtually impossible to access the original software. Andy Finney was one of the project founders and he produced some of the material in the project. He will explain the origins and technical background to the Domesday discs in the context of both it 1980s origins and how much of what it pioneered has since become commonplace. Andy Finney started in radio and moved into television, video and interactive video within the BBC over a 21 year career. Since leaving he has concentrated on web-based technologies including databases, these days with a lean towards digital television reception. He worked with the then Public Record Office and the BBC to help preserve the audio-visual content of the Domesday discs and still keeps a fatherly eye out for re-publication. // Standing on the Shoulders of Hackers Learning is an intrinsic aspect of open source projects. Practices such as documenting and sharing work, following one’s own interests, and ad hoc organizing open up - and complicate - opportunities for learning and teaching, especially in informal and semi-formal contexts. Drawing on his experiences teaching Arduino workshops, Daniel will talk about how both the hardware and open-source aspects of OSH affect processes and tools for learning and teaching. Daniel Soltis is an interaction designer specializing in physical interfaces, play and games, and the rough edges where engineering, design, art, and learning meet. He has been working with Tinker London since 2008, studied physical computing and game design at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program, and in prior life had various adventures in math and physics, teaching, editing, and medical writing. He has taught Arduino, Processing, and rapid prototyping for events and institutions including Thinking Digital, CIID, the V&A, and dConstruct, and has spoken about games and hardware at events including SXSW, the SIGGRAPH Video Game Symposium, Playful, and Open Hardware Camp. Note: Please aim to arrive for 18:00 - 18:15 as the event will start at 18:30 prompt. Note also that the venue is the Media Centre at White City and not the main White City building itself! On arrival please report to reception. -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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Thursday and interviews.
by Andrew Back 15 Nov '10

15 Nov '10

Hello, Just to remind folks that the next meeting is this Thursday and that this month London Hackspace have kindly offered to host us. All the details can be found at: http://oshug.org/event/6 Also, a few weeks ago I interviewed folks from Scrap Creative Reuse, Leeds Hackspace and Oomlout for the Outriders programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. This is now available as a podcast: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/outriders/2010/11/being_digital.shtml Whilst the common theme was makers I did get to briefly chat with Aaron at Oomlout about their open approach to product development/licensing. Cheers, Andrew -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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HPSDR slides (OSHUG #5).
by Andrew Back 15 Nov '10

15 Nov '10

All, I've just uploaded the slides from John Melton's excellent HPSDR talk: http://oshug.org/presentations/OSHUG5_HPSDR.pdf Regards, Andrew -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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The Opening Up of GSM and blogs.
by Andrew Back 31 Oct '10

31 Oct '10

Hello, I just posted an entry to the OSHUG blog at DesignSpark that may be of interest: http://www.designspark.com/content/opening-gsm Why at DesignSpark and not at blog.oshug.org? Well, we can have the latter also if folks think that this would be a good idea and/or would like to contribute. And if anyone wants to contribute to the DS blog they are welcome to and can e-mail me off-list. The rationale for posting to DesignSpark was that this appears to be growing into a sizeable community of electronic design engineers, and thus may present a good opportunity for extolling the virtues of open source approaches to hardware design. Getting back to oshug.org, I was thinking about setting up planet.oshug.org for aggregating member blog posts on OSH. With the hope being that folks can then more easily contribute and don't have to commit effort to a third party thing. As ever, I would welcome your thoughts. Cheers, Andrew -- Andrew Back mailto:andrew@osmosoft.com http://carrierdetect.com

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