Peripherals

This is a space for proposing and discussing XO peripherals in a concise manner enabling the core OLPC team to stay up-to-date with development and offer opinions regarding new ideas.

The ideas that are in, or are being developed by vendors are listed in a table at the bottom of each section to show the current status of any project. Information should be modified by anyone with the most up-to-date information.

Power

Below are a collection of ideas describing power generation and distribution ideas.

Hand Crank

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

Desk fixable hand crank power generation device capable of generating 5-8W.

Comments...

YoYo

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A Pull-Cord Generator achieving 20W peak average power. Simply hold the PCG in the palm of one hand, pull the cord with the other hand, and generate instant energy.

Solar Panel

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A 14V 5W 400mm x 280mm flexable solar panel.

Solar Blanket

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A 50W 1.65m x 0.45m foldable solar blanket

Freeplay Weza (Foot Pedal)

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A food pedal power generation device capable of generating 40 Watts.

Bicycle Cassette

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A bicycle attachment to generate power for the gang charger

Multi battery charger

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A multi battery charging station to enable wire free use of XOs throughout the day.

XOctoPlug

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

8 in one anti-electrocution and tangle-free XO power supply to be used in the classroom to improve safety, convenience and battery life.

Power Controller/USP

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A voltage regulator which takes various input voltages and converts them into a usable voltage for the XO.

Connectivity

This is an area to describe connectivity related peripherals

Active Antenna

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A device to extend the wireless mesh range of the XO. This is an external USB wireless unit with superior aerial design. It can also work independently of the XO when supplied power.

Comments...

Solar Repeater

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A standalone unit which increases the range of the wireless mesh powered by solar energy.

Optical Data Link

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

This $100 device has 1.4km range and has a stable 10Mbps full duplex data rate. Ronja is an optoelectronic device you can mount on your house and connect your PC, home or office network with other networks

Satellite Broadcasting

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

One-way delivery of digital information via satellite

xMax Communication

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

Capable of extending the range and reducing the transmit power compared to conventional approaches, including cellular technologies and fixed wireless approaches such as WiMAX.

WiMAX Communication

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a telecommunications technology aimed at providing wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways

Wireless Modem

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A plug in device that connects the XO to the internet in locations were a wireless access point isn’t available. This could be achieve by using an existing mobile phone and data cable, or by developing an extremely low cost mobile phone/modem for the XO.

USB Ethernet Adaptors

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A USB ethernet adaptor enabling reliable wired connection of the XO.

AM/FM Radio Transmitter

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A low power school/community based radio transition service broadcasting recorded audio blogs of various content posted by XO users.

AM/FM Radio Receiver

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A plug in AM/FM radio receiver (MIC_IN or USB) would enable children/families in remote areas to continue to receive information from services such as BBC world service when outside of mesh range.

Storage

USB Journal

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

To enable multiple users on the XO it would be helpful to have a USB key that plugged into the XO which stored all personal data (specifically the Journal).

Sensors & Measurement

USB/MicIn Scale

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A hard wearing scale that can sit on a desk, hang from a tree or be used to plot force/time graphs on the XO screen.

USB MicIn Amplifier

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

With a range of sensors being created for the MicIn port this USB device would give enhanced sample rate and voltage range enabling higher measurement accuracy.

USB Oscilloscope

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A dedicated USB oscilloscope probe for advanced users.

TeleHealth Module

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A collection essential medical diagnostic and treatment tools.

Sensors for MicIn

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Sensor List) (Public Wiki)

A variety of sensors that can plug into the MicIn port on the XO. These sensors can also be used with the USB Amplifier to enhance there sample rate and usable range.

Science Kit

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Sensor List) (Public Wiki)

A kit of parts designed to aid the teaching of basic scientific principles. Including magnets, light sources, prisms, conductors, isolators and various circuit components.

Input Devices

MIDI Instruments

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

Complementary to the music software packages on the XO a collection of MIDI instruments could expand both the interest and usability of the programs.

External Tablet

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A large external touch, drawing and writing pad enabling easier drawing and mathematical formula input.

Touch Screen Overlay

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A screen attachable touch sensitive layer enabling data input through the XO screen when in tablet configuration.

Game Controller

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

As more software is developed for the XO a dedicated games controller may become desirable by some users.

Child Friendly Mouse

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

A specially designed child friendly mouse which solves dexterity issues some young children face when interacting with touch pads or standard mice.

Output Devices

Printer

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

Possibly a standard printer which uses paper, but alternatively a printer which can print onto locally available medium. Or possibly a etch-a-sketch/Magna Doodle surface for continuous reuse.

Miscellaneous Peripherals

This section should be used to describe peripherals that don't fit into any other categories or are unlikely to be appropriate for OLPC for some time.

Bug Labs

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

Bugs is an innovative new hardware and software platform enabling users to create unique and personalised hardware running customised software to do, well, anything you want.

Protective Case

• Progress Table
• Extended Information (Public Wiki)

An entirely water proof protective case for the XO capable of protecting it from even the most severe environmental conditions.

See also

• USB peripherals
• Fun hardware
• Hardware ideas
• XO Peripherals