Standardized open-source control hardware (PCB)

[willemcvu]

Hi all,

I see tremendous value in providing an open-source solenoid control box that has all the peripherals one might want to be used for whatever projects people want to put this freevalve project into. This would allow a common platform for software, tunes, etc to be run on, and atm I see an Arduino/breadboard as a significant barrier for a lot of software- and mechanically-inclined folks to work on this project.

I am proposing a simple PCB/box that is somewhat automotive-quality/fairly robust that has a processor, beefy solenoid drive circuitry capable of significant current/voltage for whatever big solenoids people want to use, a couple CANbus interfaces for interfacing to existing automotive hardware, and a bunch of well-protected digital/analog IO to support whatever sensors people need or want to use.

Some general other thoughts on this...

• One of the big challenges/needs in a project like this is a robust and easy-to-use configuration system. Some options here include a BLE module/smartphone app, a USB-based desktop GUI, and a WiFi AP hosted by the box itself that runs a web server with a webpage-based config system (see: https://github.com/prampec/IotWebConf). The BLE/WiFi would make putting an ESP32 in even a first-rev of this box make a lot of sense IMO.
• I am thinking we are going to want to move away from Arduino on this project fairly soon, likely to an STM32 or similar, due to higher performance, particularly when it comes to timing and supporting other peripherals like CANbus.
• Cost will be minimal (obviously depending on features added). With what I currently have in mind, I suspect a prototype will have a BOM cost of <$100, and a production version would have a BOM cost <$50. For those that don't wish to order/populate their own PCBs, I could very reasonably sell assembled hardware with a breakout harness for ~$150-$200.
• I can design PCBs all day long, but I don't have good software skills. I can play just fine in the Arduino IDE but as soon as we go to something like an STM32, I would need someone else to do all the software as I just don't have the skills in this area.

I would like to get input on what features people would like from such an open source hardware solution, or general thoughts on what I am proposing.

P.S. for background, my day job is designing electrical systems and printed circuit boards for the aerospace industry. Typically these are ~6 layer high performance, compact, highly-tested and VERY expensive boards. I have a few years of KiCad experience. I have also manually pick-and-placed my own boards at home and would do that for prototypes of this project.