Dangerous Prototypes

Interesting product. Doing a quick google search I have seen prices under $100. Unfortunately, it looks like it only has serial out.

I have been looking for a small single board linux computer (preferably open source) to use as a gateway and/or web server for embedded projects. I would like something in between an Arduino and Beagleboard.

Arduino is great for running simple web servers, but it would be nice to have a Linux OS with some familiar tools to be able to build more complex web apps. Products like the Beagleboard fill this need, but they are complex and expensive if you decide to bundle it with your product.

If you don't mind external hosting you can always send your data to the cloud, but I like the simplicity of a self contained product.

The closest I have found to these requirement is at Dangerous Prototypes (sill in development).

Web Platform v2
- 210MHz ARM926 - 2x SPI
- Hopefully 2 layers! - Linux
- 4x USART - 2x 10 bit a/d
- ethernet - < $100?

Forum:
http://dangerousprototypes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=935&start=180#p16876

Wiki:
http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Robert:_AT91SAM9260_Linux_development_board

The hard/soft boundary is indeed very difficult, especially when you have bundles of leads in all directions!

I did some work with stick-on stretch conductive textiles, both silver and polymer-based (Eeonyx), and something I always wished I'd had was a high bit-depth A/D converter so that I could work with a ton of headroom to account for the inevitable swings due to environmental changes, degradation, etc. in software.

I'd love to see someone produce a 16bit+ A/D converter front-end for Arduino or something. I actually purchased all the parts for wiring up one of these, but didn't have time to finish: http://www.linear.com/product/LTC2444. Looks like some people have been working on it: http://dangerousprototypes.com/2012/07/02/interfacing-the-ltc2440-24bit-adc-with-the-arduino/.

Sigh.

I really like the concept, I really dislike the lock-in. I think what I want is the unholy love-child of Saleae and Dangerous Prototypes[1]. I've got the original version of DP's Logic Sniffer [2] and built a really nice USB 2.0 protocol analyzer with it. The combination of open source, inexpensive hardware, and awesome documentation let me take it in a direction that no one else had. Salea on the other hand has really slick software that is sexy as heck, but only runs on Windows and well, I am really trying hard to not have to have a Windows box around on my workbench.

[1] http://dangerousprototypes.com/

[2] http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/preorder-open-workbench-logic-sniffer-p-612.html?cPath=75

I thought this about Eagle's[1] project storage switching to XML; I figured it would allow us to store projects and libraries in git and easily branch / merge changes etc.

It was a nightmare. XML does not work well in git.[2] I even thought I could resolve some of the issues by sorting elements so they'd be in a consistent order, but none of the elements had guuids or anything to allow me to do that.

1: http://dangerousprototypes.com/blog/2010/10/14/eagle-open-xml-format-for-schematics-pcbs/

2: https://blog.joepairman.com/2016/11/26/xml-in-git-mercurial-watch-out-for-merges/

I'm a big fan of the similar, but more philosophical, Sick of Beige cases that the Dangerous Prototypes folks came up with:

http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Sick_of_Beige_compatible_cases

They follow a standard size series, with standard mounting hole offsets, corner radii, etc. The idea being that if you're designing a PCB, you may as well go with one of these sizes because the laser cut cases are commercially available, or someone following the design can make their own easily too.

They work great with minimal modification for the Pi, Adafruit protoboards, etc.

That is when you're supposed to reach for your Bus Pirate [1], aarr matey.

It's a USB-connected Swiss army knife of embedded electronics access-enabling fun. Really really recommended for anyone who has ever had a similar need.

It's by Dangerous Prototypes [2] but I linked to AdaFruit since it's one of the recommended retailers, their site is good, and so on. There is a legendary 4.x version "in the works", but ignore that and get the 3.x if you need to get work done.

[1]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/237

[2]: http://dangerousprototypes.com/docs/Bus_Pirate