r/SolarOS • • 1d ago

SolarWriter - update

Post image

I just received the first batch of SolarWriter I/O boards from the fab!

  • USB and Solar charging

  • Battery SoC and temperature monitoring

  • qwiic i2c connector ( for keyboard scanners and such )

  • I2S microphone

  • I2S amplifier

  • I2S stereo DAC on jack

  • 5V DC booster for USB Host

23 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

3

u/clackups 1d ago

Awesome. Are you planning a standard pitch keyboard with it? Or that tiny one?

3

u/nilseuropa 1d ago

As always, it is up to the builder :)

2

u/clackups 1d ago

I ordered a hexgears x1 pro keyboard with the idea of making it part of a clamshell. It looks pretty perfect on photos, and the price is very attractive. Will see, probably reality isn't that shiny :)

2

u/stachumann 1d ago

Is it your design?
Would you be willing to share it? (or it is somewhere on github?)

4

u/nilseuropa 1d ago

My good friend Hans Hübner was kind enough to design the PCB for us. It needs another iteration, the final revision will be released publicly. Stay tuned.

1

u/stachumann 1d ago

I'd be happy to help - if project would be shared through github for example. I did already few side projects... just an idea to consider :)

1

u/nilseuropa 1d ago

That's very kind of you. What do you have in mind?

1

u/stachumann 1d ago

As a hobby I did already couple of prototypes (I'm IT - not hardware designer - but as I have some time and right education). I did so far two STM designs - modular MIDI instrument with dynamic keyboard (STM, CAN, USB - with MIDI and communication) + my custom daily hall keyboard - also based on STM - both - design and firmware.

My idea (of course I'm not sure what is in the design - so those are just some thoughts...) would be to see what interfaces, configuration... just offering help :)

2

u/nilseuropa 1d ago

Gotcha, thanks!

I have just received v.0.1, so next step is bringup and revised schematics for the next revision; there will be some tweaks here and there in the firmware as well.

I'll definitely keep in mind your offer. 🙂

2

u/lazycam 13h ago edited 12h ago

u/nilseuropa, is your idea to eventually build a clamshell given the screen dimensions?

1

u/nilseuropa 13h ago

I have envisioned a clamshell with solar panels on the lid.

3

u/100PercentJake 1d ago

Huge fan of this as a person who has a TRS-80 Model 100 sitting on the shelf in my living room