Embedded Asterisk and the Blackfin Processor

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Embedded Asterisk and the Blackfin Processor
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Topics

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

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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

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Why Embedded

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

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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

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

• Many redundant parts removed
• Lower cost
• Smaller size
• Lower power
• Enhanced reliability
• Dont need hardware DSP Blackfin CPU is a DSP

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.
• Its working!

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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)

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How to Hack Telephony Hardware in Linux

• Schematic Entry (gschem)
• PCB Design (PCB)
• Verilog HDL (Icarus)

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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
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gschem Schematic Entry
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Analog Hardware Example
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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
Type Approval
Port driver to Blackfin
Volume Manufacture
Q1 2007
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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

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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

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Opportunities

• Business
• Individuals
• End Users

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Opportunities for Business

• Massive Differentiation
• Cost/Margin advantages
• New products we havent even thought of
• Asterisk ATA or fax
• Asterisk in an very smart IP-phone
• T1 IP-PBX in an ATA form factor for 200
• ?

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Opportunities for Individuals

• Its open. All of it. Hardware and software.
  Even the CAD tools!
• Exciting project in early stages
• Chance to really contribute
• Its very different from x86/PCI
• Helped needed Hardware, software, Asterisk
  config

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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 dont want a PC for their phone system.

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Getting Started

• Buy a Blackfin STAMP Card (226)
• Buy a 2 FXO 2 FXS port Analog Starter Kit (299)
• Start Hacking

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Questions?

• For more information
• http//www.rowetel.com/ucasterisk
• Geda
• blackfin.uclinux.org