Rev_G Wishlist

[chipaudette]

We currently have no specific plans for making the next revision of Tympan. But, if we were to make another revision someday, what hardware changes would we like to have?

@biomurph, @eyuan-creare, @cab-creare-com, @mpu-creare, etc...if you have thoughts on useful hardware mods for the Tympan, please add a post here to this issue. Once I understand the request, I will then collect them into the list below.

Here are some changes for Rev_G where someone has expressed interest...

ELECTRONICS:

• Incorporate Teensy 4.1 & Tympan into the same PCB Like Rev D: Would make system smaller and would allow SD card to be put in better location.
• Push/Pull SD Card Slot: The current non-springing slot is a pain for users.
• Add breakout pads/pins for the JTAG interface. This will allow us to use a debugger while developing firmware.
• Bluetooth Audio and/or WiFi: This would require a new Bluetooth module, which would require revising the Tympan's bluetooth libraries.
• Newer AIC: Look for better audio performance or more audio channels than the TI AIC3206? Would require replumbing the Tympan's firmware for abstracting Tympan.h away from just the 3206.
• Include 2nd AIC By Default: Many applications require 4 channels, so why not just add the 2nd AIC on the main board?
• Make More Expansion Pins Available: Add a higher-density connector to expose more pins? Or, just add more pads on the PCB so that we can solder to the additional GPIO.
• USB C: Allows us to leave behind USB Micro
• Fast Charging: Charge the battery faster
• Power Management IC: enables shipping mode that only activates once a charger is plugged in
• Pads for optionally adding battery clips: Such as for using a single 18650 lithium cell
• Better Power Management During Programming: Remove the need to have a battery attached just to re-program the device.

FIRMWARE:

• Support for Fuel Gauge IC: It's on the PCB in Rev F but we have no driver for it. Let's fix that!
• Better Default Firmware: Ship with demo firmware that cycles through (n) applications (Basic Gain, Pitch Shifting, 8-band equalizer, level meter ....)
• Speech Recognition: Perhaps feasible if we include WiFi, which would enable cloud-based APIs.

HARDWARE:

• Snap together case instead of screws: Make it easier to assemble. Make it easier to open/close when hacking.
• Large flat section on case: For easy labeling with large font lettering

This list is not a list of action items. It is a list of potential changes that we will consider if we ever decide to make a Rev G.

[b-graybill]

Thanks, Chip!

[biomurph]

Thanks Chip!

• Incorporate Teensy 4.1 & Tympan into the same PCB, like Rev D
• Bluetooth Audio? Is this something that users have used?
• Is the current CODEC choice still our best option? Though likely that would be a big library lift

[cab-creare-com]

Yes to Bluetooth Audio

• Also requested by potential users: WiFi. (Particularly to support web-based speech recognition APIs.)

[eyuan-creare]

• Push-Push SD card slot
• High Density breakout connector for prototyping that exposes more uC pins
• (2) AICs (Seems that we often need 4-channel recording
• USB-C with Fast Charging
• I2C QUIIC connector

Nice to Have

• Power Management IC that has a shipping mode that activates when charger is plugged in
• 8-channel I2S see Chip's comment on issue].
• Pads for optionally adding battery clips for a single 18650 lithum cell
• Pads to expose more GPIO pins
• Develop driver for fuel gauge.
• Snap together case instead of screws
• Ship with demo firmware that cycles through (n) applications (Basic Gain, Pitch Shifting, 8-band equalizer, level meter ....)

Perhaps going to a PCB with more layers so we can pack everything into a smaller package.

[cab-creare-com]

• Power management fix to allow programming when powered via USB without battery (or when battery is discharged).

[chipaudette]

@eyuan-creare , Rev F already as the qwiic connector! (Spelling corrected. So hard to remember. Thanks Chris!)

[biomurph]

@eyuan-creare The quiic does not have a port in the current case design. Might be a good idea to post a design mod with a quiic port for folks to print if they want to?

[eyuan-creare]

@eyuan-creare The quiic does not have a port in the current case design. Might be a good idea to post a design mod with a quiic port for folks to print if they want to?

Good idea. Are the pads for a right-angle QUIIC at the edge of the board?

[cab-creare-com]

Before we get too far with this, the correct name is Qwiic: "https://www.sparkfun.com/qwiic".

[b-graybill]

Thanks for the qwiic reply, Chris!

[eyuan-creare]

I knew you or Chip would correct me, so this was the most efficient path to the correct spelling ;)

[b-graybill]

Large flat section on case for easy labeling with large font lettering

[biomurph]

Here is the Qwiic connector position