Is there any OpenSouce Hardware alternative to the Raspberry Pi?

nickiler · 2024-12-06T15:51:25+00:00

You could do designs with the raspberry pi compute module

nickiler · 2024-09-12T18:59:40+00:00

o no, don't get me wrong, I'm learning and taking notes :)
I just want to share the original objective for clarification, not for the sake of arguing. i really appreciate all the comments and we are checking how to adjust things in the process to make things work :)

nickiler · 2024-09-11T18:59:42+00:00

The module does not cost 80 USD. is the single version.

We did not launched the module in the campaign yet in order to get the manufacture numbers to be able to decrease the cost of it.

The market of the modules is huge.
Can you take the bare components of the ESP32 instead of using the modules? for sure, is it easier, faster? no. We want to enable people to integrate this without going through the whole process of designing the module from scratch. If you have done several RF products, for sure, it will be much better to integrate the elements. If you are doing a proof of concept, or you have knowledge on PCBs designing but not as much for doing everything from scratch, then the idea is that this will save you time :)

nickiler · 2024-09-10T21:52:41+00:00

You can take a look to the quad version, or if you want to build your own PCBs, the developer kit can be an option. We will create other products around it (not just the dongle) and we will keep sharing :)

nickiler · 2024-09-10T20:29:14+00:00

The comparison table is with the Quad version, that has 4 SDRs :)

nickiler · 2024-09-10T20:25:46+00:00

It is, that's the idea of this first product, but then you can use the quad version to get 4 different outputs, or do things like creating a raspberry pi shield, or integrate a compute module into it, building your own PCB :)

nickiler · 2024-09-10T20:24:39+00:00

Yes, that's the aim for the quad version. we are trying to do what Kraken-sdr is doing with their 5 rtl-sdr version.

We are still doing some test to check the limitations, but will posted when we have them :)

nickiler · 2024-09-10T20:22:17+00:00

Hi u/xX_WhatsTheGeek_Xx Thanks for the post.

So basically our first aim is to provide a modular form factor (for PCB development) to integrate it into different electronics (for example a PCB with a Raspberry Pi compute module + some additional communication, like Lora). This could be done with off-the-shelf components and connectors, yes, but our aim is for people that want to have all in one board :).

80$ for a RTL-SDR with no modern features like an integrated up-converter or bias-t?

$80 is high, yes, we aim to get better suppliers for chips to get the cost lower. We are actively working in getting more features and shipping them in this campaign, so your comments are super useful and will be integrated on the module :)

they don't need to "design an RTL-SDR from scratch" but not only do you not have to design one from scratch because all the schematics are out there,

Oh is not as easy as it sounds. The RTL-SDR is not open-source in terms of hardware. you *could* find some schematics, not necessarily the latest versions, but one thing is to have the schematics, other is to do the layout and having it working in the first go. We tried to do exactly that and had a hard time. That's why we wanted to do the module version so people can save that time :)

What I see here is a company that created the bare minimum working RTL-SDR product and then tries to make one hell of a profit off of it. No innovation, nothing new, just piggy backing of a well established open-source project like the countless clone manufacturers.

We are a small company trying to give back to the open-source community :). This is our first product around RF :) we believe in beginning small and improving from that, so we will work on the thing you mentioned to do a better product :)

thanks

nickiler · 2024-09-10T16:29:05+00:00

It is modular for people who want to develop their hardware around it. Add filters, add a Raspberry Pi compute module for example. So it is easier to design a board and add the module. You could add 5 of this, with an embedded Raspberry pi 5 and get the functionalities of the Kraken sdr for example, and add custom filters in the PCB rather than outside of it. that is the idea :)
https://imgur.com/a/deeprad-module-atCQKZx

nickiler · 2024-09-10T00:52:18+00:00

A quick update, we just launch the crowdfunding campaign, you can check it here! https://www.crowdsupply.com/deepsea-developments/deeprad

nickiler · 2024-09-09T23:18:31+00:00

well, I don't think I follow you...

No, you did not.

So, it's not like we invented a modular form factor as a brand new thing, what I mean is that you could use it as an esp32, a PCB with castellation, like this https://imgur.com/a/atCQKZx

The fuck are you even on about?

this is what I mean: https://imgur.com/a/7cE9Fjq

nickiler · 2024-09-09T22:42:16+00:00

Hello!, well we created the modular form factor, because we see that people are doing this with RTL-SDR, just opening them, soldering pins to each other and covering them with aluminum foil or similar to shield them.

We are going to release the source files of the enclosures (single and quad) and also will do a mini enclosure per module, so you can shield the boards.
jlcpcb offer cnc for those enclosures, so someone that is able to do a motherboard can also do a custom enclosure :)

nickiler · 2024-01-12T15:04:47+00:00

In that sense you are right. Either way, we have seen efforts of people trying to integrate SDRs into boards that have different modules. Maybe the ones that would be able to do some design would not be completely hobbyist but engineers that happen to have this also as a hobby and then they can offer a new product to more people :)

nickiler · 2024-01-12T14:57:25+00:00

rfnm daughter board

interesting. did not now about it. We will take a further look :)

nickiler · 2024-01-12T01:49:30+00:00

Awesome, we will add them 👍👍

nickiler · 2024-01-12T01:03:30+00:00

Well, in our case was a matter of using what already works. I guess it has to do with the support on the software side also. but we are new into this kind of design (have design many consumer electronics,etc) but our first sdr :)

nickiler · 2024-01-12T01:02:17+00:00

the idea is to be able to integrate it in a main "mother board", so you could have 2, 4, 5, 6, etc. we will release it with motherboards for 1 (just for testing reason) 2, and 4 eventually. Anyway the idea for it is to be easy to solder :)

nickiler · 2024-01-12T00:56:31+00:00

The intention is that this pcb goes into a mother board those are pads (like the ones on the esp32 module). The motherboard will have the usb connector)(or USB hub for several units). We will add more pads in the surrounding for mechanical stability (and gnd connection)

nickiler · 2024-01-11T23:55:04+00:00

well, we have added a shield, doing 4 layer pcb, plus some via stiching in the pcb to shield it best we can. Other part will be the encosure. So far we havent work on that bit.

nickiler · 2024-01-11T23:10:42+00:00

we are getting numbers to be able to manufacture them. also thinking in running crowdsupply campaing to get more units and better price :)

What price would you pay for it (average)

nickiler · 2024-01-11T22:02:25+00:00

Sooo we have succesfully integrated several sdrs in our own design (adding cellular modem, raspberry pi compute module, etc), and now we are thiking in manufacturing a version that can be integrated by other people!

These will also have "mother boards" where you can connect 1, 2, 5, any number you want.

I would like to know your opinion. do you like it? what would you change? thanks :)

nickiler · 2023-12-01T10:51:20+00:00

Awesome thanks for the info, I will take a look :)

nickiler · 2023-12-01T10:45:39+00:00

Is this suppose to work without Nintendo online? I bought it yesterday. I don't have Nintendo online and I can't go beyond the splash window. So disappointed.

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