add site
services
publishers
database
health videos
toolbar
stats
live show
health store
more stuff
JOIN/LOGIN
| advertise add site services publishers database health videos
| | about toolbar stats live show health store more stuff JOIN/LOGIN |
.jpg)   Open source hardware is hardware that is designed and offered in the same manner as free and open source software (FOSS). Open source hardware is part of the open source culture and applies the open source concept to hardware. Open source hardware usually means that information about the hardware is open to all. This would include the hardware design (i.e.schematics, bill of materials and PCB layout data), as well as a FOSS approach to the software that drives the hardware. Since the rise of reconfigurable programmable logic devices, sharing of logic designs has been a form of open source hardware. Instead of sharing the schematics, (as in hardware description language), (HDL) code is shared. HDL descriptions are commonly used to set up system-on-a-chip systems either in field-programmable gate arrays or directly in application-specific integrated circuit designs. HDL modules, when distributed, are called semiconductor intellectual property cores, or IP cores.
[edit] LicensesRather than creating a new license, some open source hardware projects simply use existing, open source software licenses.[4] Addition, several new licenses have been proposed; these licenses are designed to address issues specific to hardware designs.[5] In these licenses, many of the fundamental principles expressed in open source software (OSS) licenses have been "ported" to their counterpart hardware projects. Organizations tend to rally around a shared license. For example, Opencores prefers the LGPL[6]; FreeCores insists on the GPL[7]; Open Hardware Foundation promote "'copyleft' or other permissive licenses"[8]; and the Balloon Project wrote their own license [9]. New hardware licenses are often explained as the "hardware equivalent" of a well-known OSS license, such as the GPL, LGPL, or BSD license. Despite superficial similarities to software licenses, most hardware licenses are fundamentally different: by nature, they rely on patent law, rather than copyright law. Whereas a copyright license may control the distribution of the source code or design documents, a patent license may control the use and manufacturing of the physical device built from the design documents. This distinction is explicitly mentioned in the preamble of the TAPR Open Hardware License.[10] [edit] Noteworthy licenses
[edit] DevelopmentExtensive discussion has taken place on ways to make open source hardware as accessible as open source software. Discussions focus on multiple areas[13], such as the level at which open source hardware is defined[14], ways to collaborate in hardware development, as well as a model for sustainable development[15]. One of the major differences between developing open source software and developing open source hardware is that hardware results in tangible outputs, which cost money to prototype and manufacture. As a result, the phrase "free as in speech, not as in beer"[16], more formally known as Gratis versus Libre, distinguishes between the idea of zero cost and the freedom to use and modify information. While open source hardware faces challenges in minimizing cost and reducing financial risks for individual project developers, some community members have proposed models to address these needs.[17] Given this, there are initiatives to develop sustainable community funding mechanisms, such as the Open Source Hardware Central Bank, as well as tools like KiCAD to make schematic development more accessible to more users. [edit] Computer systems
[edit] Peripherals
[edit] Amateur radio[edit] Computer components[edit] CPUThere are several "open source hardware" CPUs, typically implemented as a soft microprocessor.
Several designs include a CPU:
[edit] Graphics cards
[edit] Wireless hardware
[edit] Laptop case
[edit] Audio electronics
[edit] Other
[edit] Telephony
[edit] Machines and tools
[edit] Renewable energy
[edit] RoboticsFurther information: Open-source robotics
[edit] Home automationA range of open design hardware can be used in home automation.[20][21] [edit] Other projects
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links[edit] Articles
Communities Communities
Projects Projects
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ↑ top of page ↑ | about thumbshots |
