[Cryptech Tech] Alpha board strategy

[Randy Bush]

> I see the tool cost not just as something our project may have to
> bear, but a barrier to entry. If we design the alpha board with FPGAs
> that requires several kUSD in tools, users that don't plan to build
> hundreds of boards will have a harder time.
> 
> And just to make it easier for others to replicate what we do in order
> to build trust or try to contribute the tool becomes a problem if the
> cost serious dough.

point taken.  pavel seems to suggest a finesse, if i understand him
correctly.

> 2.5) I suggest that we use 484-pin devices, because in this package
> both Altera A7/A9 and Xilinx LX75 and LX150 are pin-compatible. We can
> have one board that will accept both the largest available FPGA with
> free license and the largest available in the entire family.

randy