Re: [Gumstix-users] Re: Fwd: Re: "aftermarket" boards

[Philip T. (List) <ph...@te...>]

On Tue, 2005-11-22 at 10:18 -0500, Mark Seymour wrote:
> Phil,
> 
> Back in May you mentioned a "...board with 4 extra serial ports, 
> brought out to 2.54mm headers with level converters".  If this is a 
> Gumstix expansion board with additional uarts or a uC providing uart 
> functionality, or preferably an Eagle design for such, I'm 
> interested.  How can I learn more?
> 
> Mark


Well,

I would be interested in creating a board like this, and if space is
available on the svn server, upload it and work on it in a collaborative
manner with other people in the community.

The ways I can see that it is possible to do this are:

Using a Quad UART chip, which would mean it would only be usable by a
connex style gumstix.

Using devices like the MAX3100 SPi UARTS. This would allow the use of
the board by all gumstix boards, but I think would require alot more
device driver development. Maybe we could do 'stackable' boards with 2
SPI ARTS on each?

Personally, I think the first option is the way to go, but I don't like
the 'flimsiness' of the connex connector. 

Would anyone else be interested in working on this as well?

All design would be done in Eagle, and maybe low volume runs could be
made by gumstix?

Phil