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Amino is a project involving both software and hardware to build an OpenSource interfacing standard that allows modular components to be connected together and reused.
Some basic guiding principles for the project are:
Modularisation - A modular topology enables common components to be snapped together using composition, allowing focus on just the custom features of a given project or task, it also reduces complexity and leads to faster project turnaround.
Standardisation - In order to have modularisation and composition as well as reuse, standardisation is required via opensource implementations made available for testing, production, modification and experimentation.
Digitisation - Opensource software is perfectly digital it's reproduction is as simply as copying bits, hardware isn't so simple, but the more of it that can be digitally expressed and rendered the easier its reproduction and the more accessible it becomes to a larger audience.
Reuse - Being able to reuse as much hardware and software as possible reduces consumption and is more environmentally friendly. Common modules or components can be assembled at reduced cost minimising overlap, they can be reused time and time again for experimentation and prototyping. Hacking culture often seeks to reuse, mashup and redefine items for use elsewhere, design should embrace this modern form of cultural reuse.
More background information can be found at Folknology Labs as well as links to historical discussions that brought about Amino & XCore fusion.
Inspiration includes OpenSource hardware like Arduino and its ecosystem.
The project is made up of software and hardware, this project page is concerned with the software and hardware interfacing:
Interested in contributing? Why not join the Amino Community
I am currently finalising the hardware reference design platform for Amino, and with it the basic specifications.
I will add links to the hardware reference in due course.
By the way the current download points to a very old version of the docs, please do not use these as they are very out of date, we will add new versions shortly.
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Hardware Reference implementation
Amino Beta is an opensource in board hardware compatible implementation for the Amino project, it supports all of the basic features of the new streamlined Amino project.
Amino Alpha
Last night at the OSHUG event I spoke about Amino boards and the architecture. I am in the final stages of the design for the first Amino board - Amino Alpha hence the change of image above. I haven't yet updated the github repository documentation which is now very out of date (please do not use it until the version changes), but will be doing so over the next few days/weeks. Please read the post for a brief overview of Amino Alpha and let me know your thoughts. I will shortly publish schematics and an architectural overview from the software point of view as I covered it last night.
regards
Al
SD Card
Hi Tony I intend using Micro SD for the first design
Hardware features
I was going to suggest the TLV320AIV23B from the XDK but I've just checked its pricing and its more expensive than the CS42700.
Wolfson Micro have some nice codecs check them out.
Are you planning to use a normal SD card or a micro SD?
CODEC
I think the CODEC is a good GP choice. But please make it possible to communicate with the CODEC, and not only run it as a standalone master! At least do not ground the CODEC com. pins to the PCB.
In general, for a GP DSP, it's interesting to be able to DC-couple the inputs and outputs - which the CODEC supports. It also support fs between 4-216 kHz with low latency switched antialias filters - also good for GP DSP.
An output buffer, and an input stage with overvoltage protection would be nice, but maybe the dual rail and so on makes things too comlicated. But, please make the analouge in and output accessible before the AC-cap. (Old DSP boards had the alias filter and the input/output stage on a module.´-card.) With the DC-connection you can use PGAs or whatever needed for signal condition before the CODEC.
Hardware features
I am currently working on two designs that share common daughter boards. here is the hardware feature list, much as you guessed lilltroll :-)
USB CS4270 SMCS USB3318 ULPI PHY
Ethernet via SMCS LAN8710 100BaseT
Flash Card (mini)
Stereo Audio CODEC (2*3.5" jacks)
Shieldlet expansion (see docs)
For the codec I am considering Cirrus Logic CS4270 unless there is a better suggestion, pricing is important.
Of course some of this could change as working the BOMs and assembly costs at the moment working towards some pricing targets.
Programming through Xide but would like to extend that to other tools if the right people step up and help - Matlab, Max/MSP anything that helps really, maybe even Processing etc...
regards
Al
More Hardware
Have you published more info about the Hardware?
It looks like: A stereo Audio CODEC, Eternet, USB, flash, card-reader?, Conection for stand alone power supply.
How does the programmer works?
GitHub repository is now live
I have created the Amino Github repository for all information and files for this project.
http://github.com/folknology/Amino
At the moment some basic documentation has been added
more to come soon
regards
AL
Max/MSP
I like the idea of being able to layer something Like Max/MSP on top but haven't quite figured the user interface. Obviously this could be done remotely via a PC/Mac, on the other hand maybe it could be controlled by more physical/virtual combinations. I'm open to both approaches and am looking for folks with more audio/music coding experience to step up and perhaps get involved.
Please let me know if your interested
regards
Al
I like the look of this, and I still want to know more
As you know, I'm interested in how we build software components and compose them quickly into solutions. I hope to be able to contribute to and benefit from what you are doing.
Best,
--r.