Difference between revisions of "Features"

From Balthazar
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'''Balthazar''' is made to run on '''Trisquel GNU''', '''Debian''' and '''Ubuntu''' variants of '''64 bit''' '''low-latency kernel''' for '''RISC-V'''/'''ARM'''.<br>
 
'''Balthazar''' is made to run on '''Trisquel GNU''', '''Debian''' and '''Ubuntu''' variants of '''64 bit''' '''low-latency kernel''' for '''RISC-V'''/'''ARM'''.<br>
  
'''CPU and RAM''' - as the development goes on '''BPCD''' is based on '''RISC-V''' and '''ISA''' architecture multi-core '''SoM''' or a System on a Module "card" that is exchangable and upgradeble. We also follow ARM Cortex - A77 variants along the path.<br>
+
'''CPU and RAM''' - as the development goes on '''BPCD''' is based on '''RISC-V''' and '''ISA''' architecture multi-core '''SoM''' or a System on a Module "card" that is exchangable and upgradeble. We understand '''RISC-V''' as an ideal vehicle for the security community.
We put in maximum reasonable '''RAM''' and we use fastest clock speeds to achieve the best possible computing performance. There should be no compromise there.
+
We also follow '''ARM Cortex''' - '''A7X''' variants along the path if their development aligns with our expectations.<br>
 +
With a maximum reasonable amount of '''RAM''', we use the most rational clock speeds to achieve the best possible computing performance versus battery's power consumption. There should be no compromise there.
  
'''GPU''' - '''ARM''''s '''MALI-400''' architecture would do great, but we also look into drivers' compatibility and openness, too.<br>
+
'''GPU''' - '''ARM''''s '''MALI-4xx''' architecture would do great, but we also look into drivers' compatibility and openness, too.<br>
While '''NVIDIA''' would be technically possibly the best performance choice, issues arise with general attitude towards FOSS compatibilty. In any case we look and listen into NVIDIA and CUDA options, accelerating totally open documentation from NVIDIA's side.<br>
+
While '''NVIDIA''' would be technically possibly the best performance choice, issues arise with general attitude towards FOSS compatibilty.<br>
 +
In any case we look and listen into '''NVIDIA''' and '''CUDA''' options, accelerating totally open documentation from '''NVIDIA''''s side.<br>
 
Also the '''NVIDIA's Jetson''' platform is researched for a compatibility with '''RISC-V''' architecture, '''ISA''' and '''FOSS''' .<br>
 
Also the '''NVIDIA's Jetson''' platform is researched for a compatibility with '''RISC-V''' architecture, '''ISA''' and '''FOSS''' .<br>
 +
 +
'''Storage''' - a '''SATA''' SSD is on board and it should be taken out very fast from a bay.<br>
 +
'''eSATA''' connector might help in expanding the storage possibilities.<br>
  
 
'''Fanless''' - less movable parts means more battery time for the processing power and a '''passive cooling''' adds to the longevity of the components. Think quiet.<br>
 
'''Fanless''' - less movable parts means more battery time for the processing power and a '''passive cooling''' adds to the longevity of the components. Think quiet.<br>
  
'''Boot and sleep''' - fast boot time, as nobody has and especially children do not have the patience to wait.<br>
+
'''Boot and sleep''' - Secure-boot as well as a fast boot time. Nobody has and especially children do not have the patience to wait.<br>
Ever since '''C64/AMIGA''' times computers should be also able to be switched on/off fast, so using Libreboot/Coreboot BIOS attitude for embedded should do it.<br>
+
Ever since '''C64/AMIGA''' times computers should be able to be switched on and off fast, so using some '''Libreboot/Coreboot''' concepts applied in a '''BPCD''' BIOS should do it.<br>
  
 
'''BPCD''' suspends to '''RAM''' and goes to hibernate when battery is at 20%. Properly.<br>
 
'''BPCD''' suspends to '''RAM''' and goes to hibernate when battery is at 20%. Properly.<br>

Revision as of 04:31, 9 September 2019

Basic specifications and features


Balthazar is made to run on Trisquel GNU, Debian and Ubuntu variants of 64 bit low-latency kernel for RISC-V/ARM.

CPU and RAM - as the development goes on BPCD is based on RISC-V and ISA architecture multi-core SoM or a System on a Module "card" that is exchangable and upgradeble. We understand RISC-V as an ideal vehicle for the security community. We also follow ARM Cortex - A7X variants along the path if their development aligns with our expectations.
With a maximum reasonable amount of RAM, we use the most rational clock speeds to achieve the best possible computing performance versus battery's power consumption. There should be no compromise there.

GPU - ARM's MALI-4xx architecture would do great, but we also look into drivers' compatibility and openness, too.
While NVIDIA would be technically possibly the best performance choice, issues arise with general attitude towards FOSS compatibilty.
In any case we look and listen into NVIDIA and CUDA options, accelerating totally open documentation from NVIDIA's side.
Also the NVIDIA's Jetson platform is researched for a compatibility with RISC-V architecture, ISA and FOSS .

Storage - a SATA SSD is on board and it should be taken out very fast from a bay.
eSATA connector might help in expanding the storage possibilities.

Fanless - less movable parts means more battery time for the processing power and a passive cooling adds to the longevity of the components. Think quiet.

Boot and sleep - Secure-boot as well as a fast boot time. Nobody has and especially children do not have the patience to wait.
Ever since C64/AMIGA times computers should be able to be switched on and off fast, so using some Libreboot/Coreboot concepts applied in a BPCD BIOS should do it.

BPCD suspends to RAM and goes to hibernate when battery is at 20%. Properly.

Upgradeable - RAM and a processor-board featuring SoC/SoM attachment port.

A non-glare screen - size is 13.3” 16:10 full HD resolution (200 dpi +) that provides far less strain on user's eyes.

A non-reflective - a button driven backlight “off” monochrome mode for very low-power use in sunlight - prolongs a battery life a lot.

LED backlit - colour mode with an alternance of red, green and blue pixels.

A detachable webcam - also with a slide lens cover and a hardware switch for on/off

A volume wheel - ceramic potentiometer with a “click” for the on/off functionality.

GPIO - a retractable and flexible robust flat-ribbon cable connecting General Purpose Input Output 19 pins array for connecting to all the things you want to connect it to.

Quick charging battery - Long Life Cycle Polymer 10000 mAh that is also recyclable.

Hot-swap - a second small battery enabling main battery hot-swap.

Modular - on-board power supply that follows full ACPI specification.

Waterproof keyboard - with a track-point ball.

Multitouch pad - flat-flush and positioned above the keyboard. It has a “Wacom”-style mode for the extended stylus or a finger draw. It is multi-touch and gestures capable.

Casing - a tough, rugged form-factor done by LEGO® A/S in a multi-colour recyclable plastic with added LEGO® studs.


Hardware security and privacy features:


Four (4) hardware off/on switches - webcam (detachable), speakers, the microphones array (detachable) and obligatory Wi-Fi.

Detachable USB gender-changer dongle - that should prevent anyone to plug in USB-anything unless it is attached and a password unlocked, also when it is taken out prevents anyone to stick USB-anything in.


A few extras:


TEMPEST-shield internal cabling - shields from any external and internal electromagnetic radiation. Lead-free, but not inexpensive, mind you.

A stylus - for a pad drawing, also provides enhanced entropy while generating PGP keys, easy graphic editing, poking someone etc.


Additional adapter with an onboard:


LEGO® Power Functions - for powering and the control of actuators. .

RJ-12 LEGO® - “a shifted notch” connector for LEGO® MINDSTORMS® series of actuators and sensors


Charms:


LEGO® keychain - for the USB dongle.

Want to know more? Pretty pictures ahead.  

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