Date: Fri, 29 May 2020 23:21:50 -0300 From: "Dr. Rolf Jansen" <freebsd@cyclaero.com> To: freebsd-arm@freebsd.org Subject: BeagleBone AI Message-ID: <DCF67826-C2CA-461F-9A61-F934F6FB042A@cyclaero.com>
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We are starting a new project of industrial device controllers. We want = to utilize ARM-SBCs as unit controllers (and here a unit is one = industrial device), and we need to attach at least 24 ADCs, 8 DACs and = 16 DIOs to each unit controller (UC). Many unit controllers (eventually = tenths to hundreds) would then communicate by a custom protocol over = ethernet with a command and control server. The UCs and the C&C server = would be operated by FreeBSD. Direct interoperability of the UCs with = 3rd party IT systems is not a concern, integration needs to be done via = the C&C server. =20 Since the sample/update rate requirements are quite low, we are going = the I=C2=B2C path, and initial testing has been done using the = BeagleBone Black. It got 2 separate I=C2=B2C 400 kbit/s busses which = helps already, avoiding I=C2=B2C address conflicts. Yet, the 8 port I=C2=B2= C switch TCA9548A is working very well, and we are now sure to be able = to attach enough ADCs, DACs and DIOs to each unit controller. Although the initial viability tests were done with a BeagleBone Black = running FreeBSD 13-CURRENT, we could start with another more modern SBC. First Question: What modern SBC with more than 1 I=C2=B2C bus and which can run FreeBSD = 13++ would you suggest? Now recently, I found the BeagleBone AI site https://beagleboard.org/ai/ = <https://beagleboard.org/ai/>. This one got also 2 I=C2=B2C busses, and = physically, with respect to a housing, it could be a 1:1 replacement for = a BBB. It seems, this one is still too new for FreeBSD. I am very fond = of the BB concept - for me it is much more appealing for industrial = embedded applications than for example any RPI. However, the BBB came to = age, and I would start a new project with it only, if there would be a = reasonable chance for an upgrade path. Two more Questions: Is it reasonable to assume that FreeBSD would run on a BBAI in the = future, let=E2=80=99s say in 2 to 3 years? Perhaps I could help porting FreeBSD to a BBAI. What would be the = general steps? Many thanks in advance for any suggestions, advices and clarifications. Best regards Rolf=
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