Hi,
Me - and "Only Another" - thought that PCI Express would be useful on a Carrier, so let forget about that idea for now and go back to something much simpler and less cost, as original asked for.... - and make it a 2-way, to reduce the cost of PCB and number of connectors, that can scale to ANY number (given enough desk-space)
The attached drawing is a Carrier for 2x Parallalla's and connectivity is hopefully clear, but allow me to add:
1. PEC_North <> PEC_South via tracks. These will run at full eLink speed
2. PEC_Link_North connector can mate with PEC_Link_South Connector on a SECOND P002, populated with 2x Parallalla's - etc.
3. PEC_Link_South connector can mate with PEC_Link_North Connector on a THIRD P002, populated with 2x Parallalla's - etc.
4 The PEC_Link Connector is a 60-way connector by Samtec - LSHM -
http://www.samtec.com/technical-specifi ... aster=LSHM - and designed for higher speed than eLink. They click and locks. Lovely!
5. All signal from PEC_FPGA to a 0.1" spaced "Bread-Board" area, that COULD be populated with a 0.1" Header, but left for User to add, as might want to SOLDER wires; Might want to make Tea, etc.! - or might never want to use.
6. All signal from PEC_POWER to a 0.1" spaced "Bread-Board" area, that COULD be populated with a 0.1" Header, but left for User to add, as might want to SOLDER wires; Might want to make Tea, etc.! - or might never want to use.
7. ATX-PSU Connector is to connect to 5V source to power BOTH Parallalla's, using the Mounting Holes Input power. It would ALSO be possible to use the 5V Barrel with a sufficient PSU Brick on one of the Inputs, but not more than 1x P002, so multiple P002s would require common 5V
8. Will 8-layers and impendence-match PCB (150mm x 105 mm) to make the eLink able to work @ full speed.
We have to do a batch of 100x boards to make this a $99.99 adventure and Sundance are quite happy to bank-roll the development cost and MOQ investment, IF
any interest. Any purchase order would be with PayPal or Debit/Credit Card on a secure Web-site and no money taken until P002 was shipped. I did see the idea of a "Kick-Starter" for this, but much easier potentials to simple order on requirements.
The price would be closer to $75.00 for a batch of 250 and then it will not really get a lot cheaper unless we were into the 10000's!
Andrew (#9600) said it might be possible to use this Support Forum as a way to get a poll of interest and I will leave that with him.
I am surely open for better ideas as well, although I can't think of anything to remove anymore, expect the second Parallalla, to make it a One-Way Carrier. That IS an option...
Do not be shy... - speak-up, please
... - ups... - PDF not allowed.
- will try to save a JPG