[Gta04-owner] Invitation to indicate interest in next batch of GTA04A5 boards

[Dr. H. Nikolaus Schaller]

Am 05.04.2013 um 12:18 schrieb Boudewijn:

> On 5-4-2013 10:56, Sven Dyroff wrote:
>> Hmmm, slowly I get an idea what the secret behind its success could be. It's not the device itself. It's not to have the "eierlegende Wollmilchsau" (German term for an all-in-one device suitable for every purpose). No, the essential point is the design of the interfaces and their usability that the device has. As far as I can remember over all previous discussions within this list, this point never had been expressed when describing the benefits of the GTA04. 

something like this list: http://projects.goldelico.com/p/gta04-main/page/FactsAndReasons/

> Sounds as "the unix way": one thing, do it well, with clearly defined and accessible interfaces. Only, it _would_ be nice if it laid eggs. 
>> So if in addition GD spends an easy to use I2C-port to the GTA04A5 - IIRC already announced at least for use with external keyboards - and perhaps some other nicely to use interfaces, that could be *the* killing marketing argument. Especially if they are also available when using an recycled Freerunner case with only one or two more hand-drilled holes within it...   ;-))
> We can _at least_ design some Lego-compatible knobs on the backplate or sides.

:)

> 
> AA-batteries have been mentioned more often. I'd also like that; three of them supply 3.6V and are easily sourced up to (to my knowledge) 2900 mAh for NiMH. Never saw li-ion AA batteries at 1.2V though but didn't spend much time searching for them. Alibaba goes over 3000mAh for AA batteries, but I imagine them "incorrectly labeled" or having a larger diameter than usually.
> 
> Are we bound to 3.7V for input, by the way? Most telephones I know use it, but not all our components use 3.7V so we have to step up or down anyway.

There are built-in step-down converters in the TPS65950 anyways. The 3.7V battery interface is optimized for LiIon batteries and accepts up to 4.2 V but there is no problem connecting 3 x 1.2V NiMh Cells. Except mechanics (AA cells are much bigger) and charging...

A minor issue is that GSM/UMTS needs a power supply capable of providing high pulse currents (up to 2 Amperes). But that can be addressed by buffer capacitors.
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