What Is Open Source Hardware?

What is quot;Open Source Hardwarequot; ?

November 29, 2008

Matt, Justin, Mike, Omar & Chris @ www.liquidware.com We spent a lot of time thinking about this, if you use it, just give us credit – thanks!

Open Source Hardware can mean a lot of things...

Manufacturing process Unbranded
explained Schematics available
Free programming
interface
API open Based on readily available
materials & parts
Free
Transparent packaging

Source code available Uses standardized ports
and interfaces Available for commercial
Sold at cost remaking
Available as a kit of parts
Firmware editable
Replicable by average individual
within several engineering weeks
Re-namable
Available for resale

... but it's not that straightforward ... it's not easy to define quot;Open Source Hardwarequot; ...


Each meaning can be interpreted in different ways
Free Can tangible things be given away for free, like infinitely downloadable software?

Sold at cost Does anyone make a profit from the selling of this project, gadget, or object?
Economics
Economics
Available for commercial remaking Can someone else remake it, without any obligations or royalties?

Available for resale Can someone else resell it, without any obligations?

Unbranded Is the project branded and protected by a legal entity or institution?
Branding
Branding
Re-namable Can anyone rename it if they get one and use or alter it?

API open Is the full function library made available to others to access and code?

Coding
Coding Free programming interface Can it be programmed with free tools, or do they cost money?

Source code available Is the source code made available for everything that's sold?

Manufacturing process explained How replicable is the manufacturing process?
Assembly
Assembly Firmware editable Is the code running on the physical components editable?
Available as a kit of parts Can it be bought as a kit of raw parts, or does it always come assembled?

Schematics available Are the diagrams showing interconnection of discrete parts made freely available?
Build
Building Uses standardized ports and interfaces Does it use proprietary interfaces, ports or cables?
Replicable by average individual How approachable is it to make? Does it need expensive equipment?

Based on readily available parts Is it based on readily available parts?
Parts
Parts
Transparent packaging Does it ship with transparent cases or packaging?


The Open Source Hardware community has many visions

quot;Easy to understand quot;Easy to build and quot;Easy to change the
and learn electronicsquot; assemble yourselfquot; behaviorquot;

quot;Low cost, and available quot;Easy to expand and quot;Inter-operable with quot;Robust, durable, and
to everyonequot; customizequot; other open source hard to breakquot;
projectsquot;

quot;Making electronics quot;Spreading the values of quot;Merging art, design,
accessible to everyonequot; DIY and tinkeringquot; and electronicsquot;


Personally, I think these are the big ones


projectsquot;



Personally, I think these are the big ones

I was always motivated by other This is a tough one – sometimes, it's nice
peoples' projects, and then I taught to have someone else who helps build the
myself what I needed to learn in hard stuff so I can focus on the piece I want
order to replicate it... but everyone to do (like more coding, not PCB etching!)
has different learning styles


projectsquot;
I was always inspired by the Cray
super-computers b/c they were
cool, but definitely not cheap!


I think this will come
with time, when more
people build open
source things
It's hard to do everything at once, but that's the point of a community


What does quot;Open Source Hardwarequot; mean to you?
A pocket reference / cheat-sheet / lookup table
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Free
Sold at cost
Economics
Available for commercial remaking

Unbranded
Branding
Re-namable

API open
Coding Free programming interface
Source code available

Manufacturing process explained
Assembly Firmware editable
Available as a kit of parts

Schematics available
Building Uses standardized ports and interfaces

Based on readily available parts Important
Parts
Transparent packaging Moderate


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Free
Sold at cost
Economics
Available for commercial remaking

Unbranded
Branding
Re-namable

API open API open
Coding Free programming interface Free programming int.
Source code available Source code available

Manufacturing process explained
Assembly Firmware editable Firmware editable
Available as a kit of parts Available as a kit

Schematics available Schematics available
Building Uses standardized ports and interfaces

Based on readily available parts
Parts
Transparent packaging Transparent packaging


What I think...

What I think... Positives Negatives

Free Would be nice to get stuff for free But it probably cost something to make
Sold at cost Sold cheaply so everyone can have one No one's going to get rich like Bill Gates :-(
Economics
Available for commercial remaking Allows more people be exposed to it Internet stores need to pay for bandwidth
Available for resale More people can easily buy it Some stores charge more to make profits

Unbranded So it doesn't feel like a big company Hard to control quality with the same name
Branding
Re-namable Anyone should be able to name a project None? I guess lawyers like this one... :-(

API open Anyone can access it and hack it Takes a lot of time to document an full API
Coding Free programming interface Allows anyone to compile code Someone spent a lot of time building it
Source code available Easy to share, alter, personalize How do programmers earn a living? :-)

Manufacturing process explained Anyone can build their own This is really hard to do with complex parts
Assembly Firmware editable Can change & optimize low level stuff Many large parts companies don't let you
Available as a kit of parts If someone is ambitious, why not? Surface mount parts are tiny & easy to lose

Schematics available So anyone can figure out what it does Not everyone has $1000 layout software
Building Uses standardized ports and interfaces Easy to expand and add-on stuff Sometimes sacrifice speed or cost
Replicable by average individual Easy to build, swap out parts Some really cool parts are hard to assemble

Based on readily available parts So if it breaks, I can swap out parts It's all relative - many people don't collect ICs
Parts
Transparent packaging I can see how it works without breaking it Might look ugly, or not quot;professionalquot;

There are many different opinions out there, for sure!


That means you can make an index of Open Sourceness
Let's call it the quot;OS-HW Indexquot;
Total points
My opinion... Weighting Weighting possible

Free x0 1 5

Sold at cost x1 1 5
15
Economics 1 5
Available for commercial remaking x1
Available for resale x1 1 5

Unbranded x2 1 5
20
Branding
Re-namable x2 1 5

API open x2 1 5

Coding Free programming interface x2 1 5 30
Source code available x2 1 5

Manufacturing process explained x1 1 5
20
Assembly Firmware editable x2 1 5
Available as a kit of parts x1 1 5

Schematics available x2 1 5
Building Uses standardized ports and interfaces x2 1 5 30
Replicable by average individual x2 1 5

Based on readily available parts x1 1 5
Parts 15
Transparent packaging x2 1 5

Total possible = 130

A score of 100%, or 130 out of 130 means a project is very quot;openquot;

Example: here's a snapshot of the original Arduino project
Arduino is 75% quot;Openquot;

Importance Weighting Weighting Comments Score

Free x0 1 5
Sold cheaply, but not quite at cost
Sold at cost x1 1 5
Available to anyone who wants to
12 / 15
Economics 1 5
Available for commercial remaking x1 resell it, from tinker.it

Unbranded x2 1 5 Tightly branded for quality sake;
spin-off boards can't be called 8 / 20
Branding
Re-namable x2 1 5 quot;Arduinoquot; unless certified

API open x2 1 5 Source code to IDE and programs
are open, API well documented on
Coding Free programming interface x2 1 5 28 / 30
a wiki, but difficult to change
Source code available x2 1 5 functionality of underlying Atmel

Manufacturing process explained x1 1 5 Manufactured in Italy, not sold as a
11 / 20
Assembly Firmware editable x2 1 5 kit since some parts of surface
mounted

Schematics available x2 1 5 Schematics public, uses USB but
uses it's own layout for female pin
Building Uses standardized ports & interfaces x2 1 5 headers, ~20 people have 24 / 30
Replicable by average individual x2 1 5 replicated it

Based on readily available parts x1 1 5 Most parts are standard and easy
Parts to get online, no parts hidden or 15 / 15
obscured

98 / 130 = 75%


Example: here's a snapshot of the MegaSquirt project
MegaSquirt is 81% quot;Openquot;


Free x0 1 5
Different versions available, some
Sold at cost x1 1 5 DIY kits sold nearly at cost,
14 / 15
Economics 1 5 anyone can make their own and
resell it

Unbranded x2 1 5 Name tightly held by Bowling &
Grippo, MegaSquirt is a registered 8 / 20
Branding
Re-namable x2 1 5 trademark

API open x2 1 5 Source code open, API
documented, but core code is
controlled and no easy IDE
Source code available x2 1 5 available

DIY versions contains step by step
assembly instructions, sold as kit 16 / 20
Assembly Firmware editable x2 1 5 or parts list, but core is still
Available as a kit of parts x1 1 5 controlled

Schematics available x2 1 5 DIY versions contain open
schematics, uses serial,
Building Uses standardized ports & interfaces x2 1 5 documented so it can be replicated 28 / 30
Replicable by average individual x2 1 5 by engineers

Based on readily available parts x1 1 5 Most parts are standard and easy
Parts to get online, no parts hidden or 15 / 15
obscured

105 / 130 = 81%


Example: here's a snapshot of the Bug Base project
Bug Base is 62% quot;Openquot;


Free x0 1 5
Sold by a company, so needs to
Sold at cost x1 1 5 make profit, anyone can rebuild
10 / 15
Economics 1 5 their own, but resale of the original
is tightly held

Unbranded x2 1 5 Bug Labs holds trademarks and
copyrights over products; built 6 / 20
Branding
Re-namable x2 1 5 products are Bug Labs named

API open x2 1 5
Source code open, API
Coding Free programming interface x2 1 5 documented, IDE available for 28 / 30
free, but core code is controlled
Source code available x2 1 5

Manufacturing process explained x1 1 5 Sold as a manufactured product,
9 / 20
Assembly Firmware editable x2 1 5 modules pre-assembled, firmware
within modules not directly editable

Schematics available x2 1 5 Schematics available for
download, uses a special, hard to
Building Uses standardized ports & interfaces x2 1 5 replicate port, could be re-built by 18 / 30
Replicable by average individual x2 1 5 talented engineers

Some parts hard to get and need
Based on readily available parts x1 1 5 to buy in high quantities,
Parts 10 / 15
Transparent packaging x2 1 5 packaging transparent on some
versions
81 / 130 = 62%


Example: here's a snapshot of my little TouchShield project
TouchShield is 75% quot;Openquot;


Free x0 1 5

Sold at cost x1 1 5 Sold at cost in kits, any individual
who wants to can remake it, but no 10 / 15
Economics 1 5 companies, anyone can resell it

Unbranded x2 1 5 The name TouchShield is printed
on the PCBs, but that's not a trade 12 / 20
Branding
Re-namable x2 1 5 mark, just a natural name for it

API open x2 1 5 Source code to IDE and programs
are open, API well documented on
a wiki, but difficult to change
Source code available x2 1 5 functionality of underlying Atmel

Built by hand here in Connecticut,
core is editable, not a kit because 14 / 20
Assembly Firmware editable x2 1 5 some of the resistors are so small
Available as a kit of parts x1 1 5 it would be impossible to ship1

Schematics available x2 1 5 Schematics public for individuals,
uses Arduino and USB ports, kind
Building Uses standardized ports & interfaces x2 1 5 of difficult for an individual to 22 / 30
Replicable by average individual x2 1 5 remake without help

Based on readily available parts x1 1 5 Some of the parts were tricky to
Parts find, and can only be bought in 12 / 15
quantities of 100. WYSIWYG

98 / 130 = 75%

1. But if you really want to solder it by yourself, Mike and I will throw all the parts in a bag for you

But not all projects are created equal
You can't just compare projects using an index because not all projects have the same standards

High level Code Software that is editable, compilable, re-distributable
Based on cheap, or free APIs, IDEs, and compilers quot;Open Source Codequot;
Code that sits in RAM space

Firmware Code that sits in components on the PCB, in the circuit
Editable, based on relatively widely available compilers and code-sets quot;Open Firmwarequot;
Downloadable to the device without expensive, proprietary equipment
hardware stack

Schematics Freely available schematic drawings, documented so that someone
Level of

else can interpret the electronic behavior of the device quot;Open Schematicsquot;
No mature schematic and CAD software exists on the same level as
the C language spec for Linux, so tools are still a wildcard in 2008
Cores Based on components that are re-programmable (e.g. FPGA's) and
whose behavior is documented with available, recompilable, quot;Open Coresquot;
synthesizable description files (e.g. VHDL or Verilog)
Tools cost $1,000's, with poor open source code substitutes
Gates Device synthesized into transistors and gate arrays based on non-
proprietary materials and readily available chemistry quot;Open Gatesquot;
Silicon masks and wafer templates made available in a synthesizable,
replicable way
Does not require $100,000's of equipment to synthesize, prototype and
Low level re-test

It's not fair to say Linux isn't quot;Open Sourcequot; because it doesn't run on
openly synthesizable gates and core processors (yet); it's not fair to say the
Arduino is quot;closed sourcequot; because it's based on the proprietary Atmel

To what standards should we hold projects in order to call
them quot;openquot;?
Me!

Linux OpenSparc OpenCores.org Arduino MegaSquirt TouchShield

High level Open Source Code N/A

Open Firmware
hardware stack
Level of

Open Schematics N/A N/A

Open Cores N/A N/A N/A

Low level Open Gates N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A


To what standards should we hold projects in order to call
them quot;openquot;?
Me!

Linux OpenSparc OpenCores.org Arduino MegaSquirt TouchShield

High level Open Source Code N/A

Open Firmware
hardware stack
Level of

Open Schematics N/A N/A

Open Cores N/A N/A N/A

Low level Open Gates N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Good for Good for Good for
open software open processors open devices

Introducing a map of Open Source Hardware
Snapshot of just a few projects

High level Code Linux

Firmware Pandora
Arduino
hardware stack
Level of

MegaSquirt
Schematics

OpenCores.org
Cores
OpenSparc

Gates
Low level

OS-HW Index score

It's hard to make a direct comparison between projects at different levels in
the hardware stack

This is where stuff I make is...

Me
Having grown up with
High level Code LinuxLinux, I think everything
should have source code
available, for customizing
and tweaking

Firmware Pandora I don't like the idea of big
Arduino companies ripping off ideas
and making money from
hardware stack

individuals, so I give away
schematics and parts to any
Level of

MegaSquirt fellow hobbyist who wants it
Schematics

OpenCores.org
Cores
OpenSparc

Gates
Low level

OS-HW Index score


So, what is quot;Open Source Hardwarequot;?
My definition, circa 2008-2009

1 A movement to create non-proprietary devices that encourage rather than hinder
understanding how something works

2 An attempt to create physical, tangible electronic devices that encourage
customization and expansion

3 A gesture to be quot;openquot; and transparent where possible (and relevant) with source
code, firmware, schematics, cores, and gates

Harder than software because it relies on largely proprietary tools, and uses parts
4
that can't be freely replicated (like code)

And above all, it's an evolving definition that will be shaped by the people
who are making it, so get involved!


Where do we go from here?

Open Hardware needs better tools
Eagle Cad is good, but not great
Parts libraries are tough to build up from scratch
Simulators, synthesizers and auto-routers are all complicated pieces of software that
cost $1,000's

Open Hardware needs more individuals and hackers to join the movement
Without the fear of getting their ideas stolen from them by companies

Calling all mechanical engineers!
In order to go mainstream, open hardware needs quot;professionalquot; looking cases and
enclosures

Open Hardware needs more training at educational institutions like this
Courses, classes needed to train students into engineers


Thanks!

Me: Matt, inthebitz@gmail.com

My blog: antipastohw.blogspot.com

Some of my latest projects:

8-bit embedded turkey Open Source Gameboy Open Source Hardware Book


What Is Open Source Hardware?

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