[Cryptech Core] Hardware production?

[Peter Stuge]

Hi all,

first, many thanks for taking notes at the last f2f meeting!


Then: What is the current state of hardware production runs?

I remember from the meeting before, that one production run for
some number of unmodified Alpha boards was planned before
end-of-year 2017, and that timing of a further production run
was unclear, depending on what modifications were to be done.

I've done some preliminary analysis of how feasible it would be to
create a PCI Express carrier for the Alpha, and it looks fairly good,
but not trivial.

Mechanical: The Alpha PCB is 1.1mm too wide to meet PCI-E spec, but I
think that violation may be OK.

Electrical: The power supply on the Alpha needs to be split up, my
prefered solution would be to move the "intermediate" 5V regulator
from the Alpha to the carrier, and generate low-current 16-18 V for
the noisy diode.

Signalling: PCI-E USB host controller and two small ARMs (SAMD11 as
mentioned before) connecting to the UART headers.


So for a carrier board to work the Alpha which it carries should have
several components not populated, which can be done at least two ways:

1. Don't populate in PCB assembly (much preferable)

2. Unsolder after-the-fact (risk destroying other parts)


If there is a production run in the pipeline, then maybe a modified
deliverable with certain components unpopulated could be included in
the run? What do you think? And/or what do suppliers say?


Kind regards

//Peter