RoBoard RB-050
by gdo
Tue Jun 12, 2012 11:23 pm
Hello everybody,
I have made some photos but I forgot my camera at work...
So it will be for tomorrow.
I first test my work like the following script on my roboard RB-100 and then I try to use it on RB-050 once it is functionnal. It is easier to see what happens when you have a screen.
http://robosavvy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8011
But with serial console, I can easily debug without vga. It works perfectly for the RB-100, but with the RB-050 I just have some "ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ" on output.
I do not know why since I use the same serial cable for RB-100 and RB-050. Is serial adapter plugged differently between both roboards ? Do you use a null modem cable to connect to the computer ?
Thanks,
gdo
I have made some photos but I forgot my camera at work...
So it will be for tomorrow.
I first test my work like the following script on my roboard RB-100 and then I try to use it on RB-050 once it is functionnal. It is easier to see what happens when you have a screen.
http://robosavvy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8011
But with serial console, I can easily debug without vga. It works perfectly for the RB-100, but with the RB-050 I just have some "ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ" on output.
I do not know why since I use the same serial cable for RB-100 and RB-050. Is serial adapter plugged differently between both roboards ? Do you use a null modem cable to connect to the computer ?
Thanks,
gdo
by siempre.aprendiendo
Tue Jul 17, 2012 10:24 pm
it seems they are approaching 
I'm very glad to read this:
From Facebook:
I'm very glad to read this:
From Facebook:
RoBoard: the Heart of Robotics This CPU board has almost every I/O pin of Vortex86DX available and easy to use (as a MCU). So you can use this CPU board with a DIY I/O board to make a customized RB-050 for yourself, and anyone can employ it to easily design any RoBoard-compatible product!
by PedroR
Thu Jul 19, 2012 1:11 pm
Hi siempre.aprendiendo
I just wanted to make a quick stop to clarify what the post means.
I've spoken with the manufacturer and it does NOT mean Roboard 050 is being released.
From the post:
This CPU board has almost every I/O pin of Vortex86DX available and easy to use (as a MCU). So you can use this CPU board with a DIY I/O board to make a customized RB-050 for yourself, and anyone can employ it to easily design any RoBoard-compatible product!
The module that is being released is the ICOP version of the module not the Roboard 050 version.
There are important differences between the two:
ICOP modules are essentially PCBs that include the processor + memory and break out all the pins but they don't offer any signal protection, voltage regulation, level shifting, proper connectors or anything like that.
They are made to be installed on a custom designed base board that takes the signals from the ICOP module and performs all Power Regulation, Level shifting, protection and exposes the connectors (for example for PWM, COMMs, LAN, USB etc.)
The difference between ICOP and Roboard is that ICOP is designed for System Integrators (who custom design their hardware base boards) where the Roboard is a ready to use solution where all the signal regulation protection and level shifting is already on board.
You just need to power up a Roboard and you're good to go; it's not the case with ICOP.
The information I have from the manufacturer is that the cost of this ICOP module plus the baseboard (that performs all the signal regulation and exposes all connectors) would put the total price at about 2x the price of Roboard 100RD.
For this reason, it's unclear if it would be commercially appealing with this price and therefore there is still NO release schedule for Roboard 050.
As I explained in a previous post, currently the board that better matches the features of Roboard 050 is the newly released Roboard 100RD (that includes the Vortex86DX Rev D processor with faster COMMs and latest improvements in IDE support).
Regards
Pedro.
I just wanted to make a quick stop to clarify what the post means.
I've spoken with the manufacturer and it does NOT mean Roboard 050 is being released.
From the post:
This CPU board has almost every I/O pin of Vortex86DX available and easy to use (as a MCU). So you can use this CPU board with a DIY I/O board to make a customized RB-050 for yourself, and anyone can employ it to easily design any RoBoard-compatible product!
The module that is being released is the ICOP version of the module not the Roboard 050 version.
There are important differences between the two:
ICOP modules are essentially PCBs that include the processor + memory and break out all the pins but they don't offer any signal protection, voltage regulation, level shifting, proper connectors or anything like that.
They are made to be installed on a custom designed base board that takes the signals from the ICOP module and performs all Power Regulation, Level shifting, protection and exposes the connectors (for example for PWM, COMMs, LAN, USB etc.)
The difference between ICOP and Roboard is that ICOP is designed for System Integrators (who custom design their hardware base boards) where the Roboard is a ready to use solution where all the signal regulation protection and level shifting is already on board.
You just need to power up a Roboard and you're good to go; it's not the case with ICOP.
The information I have from the manufacturer is that the cost of this ICOP module plus the baseboard (that performs all the signal regulation and exposes all connectors) would put the total price at about 2x the price of Roboard 100RD.
For this reason, it's unclear if it would be commercially appealing with this price and therefore there is still NO release schedule for Roboard 050.
As I explained in a previous post, currently the board that better matches the features of Roboard 050 is the newly released Roboard 100RD (that includes the Vortex86DX Rev D processor with faster COMMs and latest improvements in IDE support).
Regards
Pedro.
Last edited by PedroR on Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I though it would be commercially more appealing
by PedroR
Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:35 pm
Hi siempre.aprendiendo
The big question is: would you (or the public) buy one if it cost ~£400?
The manufacturer thinks the answer is no and afaik that's why they're not releasing it int he form of Roboard..
If you (and other users) prove otherwise show interest despite the price tag there's a good chance it'll be released.
Regards
Pedro.
DISCLAIMER: the price I am projecting here for Roboard 050 is no way any official price nor does it mean the board is available if your'e willing to pay that.
This price is my projection from I understood from speaking with the manufacturer.
Furthermore the manufacturer does not produce "one-offs". This means that even if 1 person is willing to pay for one, it won't be produced; there is a very large manufacturing MOQ so unless a VERY large number of people wish to buy one, then it _may_ eventually go into production.
The big question is: would you (or the public) buy one if it cost ~£400?
The manufacturer thinks the answer is no and afaik that's why they're not releasing it int he form of Roboard..
If you (and other users) prove otherwise show interest despite the price tag there's a good chance it'll be released.
Regards
Pedro.
DISCLAIMER: the price I am projecting here for Roboard 050 is no way any official price nor does it mean the board is available if your'e willing to pay that.
This price is my projection from I understood from speaking with the manufacturer.
Furthermore the manufacturer does not produce "one-offs". This means that even if 1 person is willing to pay for one, it won't be produced; there is a very large manufacturing MOQ so unless a VERY large number of people wish to buy one, then it _may_ eventually go into production.