Additional architectural elements

Additional Architectural Elements

The envisioned manufacturing scale of the envisioned initiative can dramatically reduce hardware feature/sub-system costs and some important features are very inexpensive to add. Among these are IrDA (for wireless connectivity to a variety of existing/emerging devices), built-in computer tunable multi-band radio receiver with the minimal hardware required to extract also data transmissions sent using various methods (e.g. FM side band), at least minimal AD/DA and parallel I/O with suitable port enabling children to use the computer in laboratories and tinker with science/control and computer controlled toy applications/games.

If the CPU chip is custom made some of the above (e.g. AD/DA)and possibly 3D graphic acceleration and maybe even CCD etc. section (for camera) may be added without increasing cost. If operation of the augmented CPU+ chip sub-systems is optional then perhaps sub-systems would only receive power if/while they are used. Thus there may not necessarily be a power penalty for extending this aspect of system (+CPU chip) capability. Alternately perhaps these types of features would be on one custom chip.

Along same line of thinking, it would be useful if hard disc and CD/DVD controller circuitry + interfacing were included with suitable empty bays. This way children and their families could save money for add-ins and easily install them.

One wonders why 10BaseT is not included,unless that would add significant cost(unlikely).

Wireless provides general networking without a fragile cable, a moderatly robust USB Crossover cable would be as fast or faster than 100BaseT. 62.252.0.11 15:50, 17 March 2006 (EST)

True. Yet, there are many "Wired LAN-s". How would the computer plug into such a network (ideally in a Plug&Play Mode") if there is no money for wireless hub? Of course wireless hubs are quite inexpensive, and maybe it can be assumed that in a few years they will be ubiquitous.

Ermm, one of these lappies could be a wireless hub with a USB <-> 100BaseT connector. Though I wouldn't be suprised if the local school gets a Ndiyo base station at some point which would probably be expensive enough to justify having a wireless link for the lappies built in. I suspect the thinking is that USB is sufficiently Universal that it means there's no compelling need for other interfaces (Edit: I mean wired ones). That is after all one of the basic design features of USB. 62.252.0.11 16:38, 17 March 2006 (EST)

Unlike "Wired LAN-s" USB has distance limitations. Also, "legacy environments" are built with wired LAN-s. If cost of 10BaseT/100BaseT on silicon +connector is trivial or converges to $0 in millions of quantities it is better to add also that interface, since it has no appreciable cost, and empower users decide how to set up their school/club networks. Of course, in some cases "thin client" (back to "time sharing") architectures may be preferred in some schools (e.g. Skolelinux: www.skolelinux.org [1]) - and, of course, the goal is to be "self contained" when the laptop is out of the school/club (in the originally envisioned "Dynabook" spirit).

It is good that the base system specification supports BOTH wireless and USB. The more choices the more opportunity for creative solutions suited to local tastes and cultures. For this reason IrDA ought to also be added since, it too, interfaces to legacy systems, provides yet another choice in some situations and is essentially a near $0 cost add-on. Also, it could be used in environments like school busses and school yards for spontaneous peer-to-peer networking - when a USB cable may not be readily available.

Regarding school busses, etc. thought should be given to how charging power could be provided for a number of units during a ride to/from school (assuming there are school busses). Also, "battery charging" could be a useful school service . Hopefully a well funded organization like UN could be stimulated to think creatively about providing grants, etc. to actually help developing nations successfully embrace such innovative initiatives. (Yet to be seen if the UN can respond to any such challenge. Would be of interest to know what if any contribution Mr Kofi Annan made to the initiative via UN channels after the Tunis demo/photo opportunity.) L Pfeffer March 18, 2006

I agree, both wired and wireless have compelling advantages so it's right to include both. But a 100BaseT connector has the disadvantage that it's not robust, you can destroy the socket by sticking a pen in it and the clip on a cable will fail without being abused. Even if the cost of an ethernet connector is zero at day one IMO it's likely to cost in some way for repairs or become unusable in short order. IrDA is certainly robust enough but it's range is very limited and as far as I can tell the only legacy devices it connects to are old laptops that cost $1000's when new and the odd printer, the IrDA spec is actually incompatible with the vast majority of Infra-red devices.

I was not aware of 10BaseT/100BaseT connector fragility. That can certainly be a problem Maybe the answer is assuring that schools/clubs have wireless coverage. That is inexpensive even without volume purchase

Palms, IPAQs, cell phones etc. have infrared capability.One would hope the laptop would seed an add-on after-market in toys and games - say wired an wireless controlled/sensed "Fun Things" (see below). If there was infrared support some manufacturers may chose to use it\ rather than WiFi and presumably the costs for infrared are lower in such "peripherals". Also, there is a message in having options and choices, such as BOTH WiFi and infrared for wireless. Options and Choices are not even taken for granted in a country like the USA and even less so in Europe. In poorer countries there is lesser empowerment and encouraging children to think in terms of choices is important. L Pfeffer March 18, 2006

It's very difficult to damage a USB socket. Before now I've managed to break the connector off a USB-Flash drive in the socket, the socket was undamaged! Even if you manage to break the tongue in the socket it can still work.

The problem with power on a school bus is that it's have to come from the diesel powering the bus, diesel costs money and is an inefficient power source even here. Much better to provide power in the classroom where it can be cabled in from whatever source is cheapest/easiest at the time. 62.252.0.11 08:14, 18 March 2006 (EST)

Probably there are cases where busses may not have to burn much if any excess diesel to generate the kind of power needed for charging some laptops. Would be useful to see a back of the envelope engineering analysis of the possible "spare power" opportunity. Ideally the unit's charging section would be "smart" and not put drain on the charging system once the battery is charged. Also, the power generator add on to a bus would be sensor based and have an option to couple to the bus mechanism only if the bus is going downhill or at least on level ground - and de-couple while going uphill. Etc. There must be an optimization opportunity here (and room to think of the bus too as a "system" - and find a way to add a computer to it for this and perhaps other tasks which are cost or otherwise justified. (As with many choices there is also a BOTH option - support both in school and on busses ...) L Pfeffer March 18, 2006

Hopefully it will be easy to add memory for program execution - maybe the way FLASH memory is added to cameras. Similarly, it should be possible to add FLASH capacity via FLASH memory cards from consumer electronics appliances (e.g. one of the standards from digital cameras). NOTE: neither of these should be via the USB port, but via recessed slots in back or bottom of case. They should be non-intruisive augmentions - much like FLASH cards in digital cameras.

Designing the the system to be an extensible framework is a key architectural choice.

Two exciting extensions or a separately packaged/priced augmentation unit ought to be considered.

a) a laser/etc. based MEMS chip+optics based projector which could give the system a large screen on a wall etc.

b) some linkage to electronic paper. In fact this endeavor could accelerate commoditizing ePaper technology

Seems that even if a few add-on hardware features would raise price target to say $120 this could be well worth it.

L Pfeffer March 17, 2006

It should be assumed that in some cases the system may run off a car battery. Would be interesting to know how long it could operate off that source. Would be useful to have as part of the product line at least three low-cost kit based accessories for power based on solar, hydraulic, and wind based generators + battery. There must be such kits already developed for use in poorer countries.

I actually live in the third world and let me tell you there are no school buses. Children either walk to school or take a regular bus. I think it's very important to make these cases waterproof and shock resistant. Gigi (From Venezuela)

Any chance for VGA connector?

Omission of VGA connector is what kills this device for me and my kids ...

Ability of attaching the laptop to external projector/monitor/TV is very important for me ...

Kids can then easily share their results/works with classroom ...

Also since 17" monitors are down at $120 - for $220 +keyboard/mouse one could have a nice terminal for more comfortable work ...