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Embedded Asterisk and the Blackfin Processor

Embedded Asterisk and the Blackfin Processor. Topics. Introduction Why Embedded? IP PBX Hardware 101 Free Telephony Project and Open Hardware Status The Future Opportunities. Introduction. Paradigm shift away from x86/PCI cards Embedded = IP-only and no DSP

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Embedded Asterisk and the Blackfin Processor

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  1. Embedded Asterisk and the Blackfin Processor

  2. Topics • Introduction • Why Embedded? • IP PBX Hardware 101 • Free Telephony Project and Open Hardware • Status • The Future • Opportunities

  3. Introduction • Paradigm shift away from x86/PCI cards • Embedded = IP-only and no DSP • Echo cancellation and codecs not possible • Analog Devices Blackfin Processor has the potential to change this situation

  4. Why Embedded • Small size (DSL router) • Low power < 10W (battery, solar)! • No moving parts (fans or disks) • Quiet • Reliability (parts count, connectors) • Low cost (a few hundred $ street) • Just plain cool!

  5. Blackfin Processor • A powerful DSP (1 GMAC) • AND runs uClinux • Breaks the two processor (host/DSP) paradigm • Low cost ($5 - $15 each) • Well supported by vendor and community • Open hardware and software

  6. IP-PBX Hardware 101 Host PC PCI Card Asterisk Device Driver PCI Bridge FXO Port x86 CPU Ethernet Card DSP hardware FXS Port

  7. IP-PBX Hardware 101 Embedded PBX Asterisk Blackfin CPU FXO Port DSP software Device Driver FXS Port

  8. IP-PBX Hardware 101 • Many redundant parts removed • Lower cost • Smaller size • Lower power • Enhanced reliability • Don’t need “hardware” DSP – Blackfin CPU is a DSP

  9. Challenges • Complex development environment • Cross compiler & tool-chain • Customized kernel and apps • Learning Curve • Low memory ~64MB • uClinux (offset by partial MMU) • Care and feeding of the cache

  10. Who is working on Blackfin Asterisk? • Several individuals and companies (e.g Digium) working on Blackfin Telephony products • Expect to see many Blackfin based Telephony products in the near future • This presentation focuses on the activities of the Free Telephony Project

  11. Free Telephony Project Goals • Build a completely open embedded telephony platform. • Hardware designs are open. • Full design and manufacture information available for download. • Schematics, PCB layouts, HDL code, unit tests

  12. Motivation • Various motivations across the people and companies involved in the project. • Obvious business potential in a $200 IP-PBX with multiple ports. • Enabler for service models. • My motivation is Social & Geeky rather than Business.

  13. Motivation • I like building stuff • Would like to use my hardware/DSP skills to improve the world a little • Open software like Linux and Asterisk has been a great thing for the World. • Craig Newmark (Craigslist) : Nerd values “Get yourself comfortable, then do something fun to change the world a little”

  14. Open Hardware • The designs are free as in speech • A community exists that are sharing designs and helping each other. • Build better hardware faster using open development models. • Opportunities for small business. • It’s working!

  15. Hardware Projects (so far) • Motherboard plus stackable daughter card architecture • Various 4-8 port Analog interfaces • Blackfin Motherboard with dual Ethernet + USB • E1/T1 • Quad BRI-ISDN (8 channels)

  16. How to Hack Telephony Hardware in Linux • Schematic Entry (gschem) • PCB Design (PCB) • Verilog HDL (Icarus)

  17. Design Process Flow Design Schematics (gschem) Write Verilog Code (Icarus) Design PCBs (PCB) Assemble Prototype Hardware Debug and Test Hardware Port Asterisk to Blackfin (gcc) Integrate and Test system

  18. gschem Schematic Entry

  19. Analog Hardware Example

  20. Status Develop Analog Hardware Sep 2005 Dec 2005 Sep 2006 Port Asterisk to Blackfin Integrate and Test PoC System Build and Test Beta Units Oct 2006 Port driver to Blackfin Type Approval Volume Manufacture Q1 2007

  21. Status • Asterisk ported to the Blackfin • Stable but Beta • FXO/FXS hardware designed and being beta tested • Beta hardware available for sale now • Undergoing compliance testing • Commercial (open) hardware in Q1 2007

  22. Performance • 500 MIPs Available (1 GMACs) • G729A (10 MIPs) • Speex (15-30 MIPs) • Simultaneous SIP Calls (approx 50) • Echo Can • Depends on tail • Say 12 with full 128ms, 24 for FXS

  23. Opportunities • Business • Individuals • End Users

  24. Opportunities for Business • Massive Differentiation • Cost/Margin advantages • New products we haven’t even thought of: • Asterisk ATA or fax • Asterisk in an very smart IP-phone • T1 IP-PBX in an ATA form factor for $200 • ?

  25. Opportunities for Individuals • It’s open. All of it. Hardware and software. Even the CAD tools! • Exciting project in early stages • Chance to really contribute • It’s very different from x86/PCI • Helped needed: Hardware, software, Asterisk config

  26. Opportunities for End Users • Lower end user cost – a $300 (street) 4-port IP-PBX in 2008? • IP-PBX functionality in the home rather than current ATA. • Bring telephony to developing countries. • Small, fan-less lets you reach markets like SOHO that don’t want a PC for their phone system.

  27. Getting Started • Buy a Blackfin STAMP Card ($226) • Buy a 2 FXO 2 FXS port Analog Starter Kit ($299) • Start Hacking

  28. Questions? For more information http://www.rowetel.com/ucasterisk Geda blackfin.uclinux.org

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