This page documents a simple Command Module for the Apollo blade family for test purposes. Something similar to the original mechanical prototype (green board) in photo below.

Goals:

• Create a solid KiCAD PCB design with correct mechanics
• Inexpensive test board for development of firmware, front panels, etc
• Power supply loading test (with large heatsinks, resistors etc to dissipate ~ 200+W

Questions for discussion:

• What should the scope of the first board be? Maybe only mechanics since PCB are so cheap?
• What FPGA to use? See below.
• Should we include a Cornell-style microcontroller, or something else?
• KiCAD 5 or 6? (or conceivably Altium?)

Right now (1/18/22) there are a few Kintex-7 parts in stock at DigiKey.

• XC7K70T-1FBG484C - $207 - up to 6.6 Gbps GTX
• XC7K160T-2FBG484C - $434 - up to 10.126 Gbps GTX

See ​DS182 page 58.

Useful Links

• ​APOLLO_MECH%20Model%20(1).pdf - mechanical drawing (​DXF file)
• ​Cornell_6089-103-RevB_PCB_FAB_28Feb2019.zip - Gerber files for Cornell Rev 1 board
• ​TWEPP 2019 talk by Eric