SBC3003 User Guide: Difference between revisions

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<metadesc>Single Board Computer running Debian with 3 high-speed USB ports, 6 VINT ports, ethernet and HDMI, with 512 MiB Memory and a 8 GB SD Card. </metadesc>
[[Category:UserGuide]]
[[Category:UserGuide]]


==Welcome==
==Welcome==
Welcome to the user guide for the SBC3003. In this guide we will introduce you to your new Phidget and show you what it is capable of. To get started, make sure you have the following things available:
Welcome to the user guide for the SBC3003. In this guide we will introduce you to your new Phidget and show you what it is capable of. To get started, make sure you have the following things available:
*Your new SBC3003
*Your new [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=SBC3003 SBC3003].
*An Ethernet cable and a 6-15VDC power supply (both included with SBC3003)
*An Ethernet cable.
*A Phidget or Phidget sensor
*An 8-30VDC power supply.
*A computer
*A computer.
*Optional: A USB Phidget, {{CT|VINTDevice|VINT Phidget}}, or {{CT|AnalogSensor|analog sensor}}.
 


Ready? Then let's get started!
Ready? Then let's get started!


==Getting Started==
==Getting Started==
Follow the steps below:
 
#Plug in any Phidgets or Phidget sensors you have to the SBC.
You can get set up using this video or by following the steps below:
#Connect your SBC to your network using the Ethernet cable.
 
#Connect your SBC to power. A red LED should immediately light up underneath the power barrel, indicating your SBC is receiving power. There is also a green LED that will briefly turn on when power is supplied, and then remain on after the SBC has fully booted.
<center>{{#ev:youtube|DTHnd2xPxag|||||rel=0}}</center>
 
1. If you have any USB Phidgets, VINT Phidgets, or analog sensors, plug them into the SBC now.
 
2. Connect your SBC to your network using the Ethernet cable.
 
3. Connect your SBC to power. A red LED will immediately light up underneath the power barrel, indicating your SBC is receiving power. There is also a green LED that will briefly turn on when power is supplied, and then remain on after the SBC has fully booted.
 


The next step will be to access the SBC Web Interface. This process will vary slightly depending on what type of computer you use:
The next step will be to access the SBC Web Interface. This process will vary slightly depending on what type of computer you use:
*[[#macOS|Jump to getting started with macOS]]
*[[#macOS|Jump to getting started with macOS]]
*[[#Linux |Jump to getting started with Linux]]
*[[#Linux |Jump to getting started with Linux]]
 
*Using a Windows machine? Keep reading.
Using a Windows machine? Keep reading.


===Windows===
===Windows===
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*[{{SERVER}}/downloads/phidget22/libraries/windows/Phidget22-x86.exe 32 Bit Installer Download]
*[{{SERVER}}/downloads/phidget22/libraries/windows/Phidget22-x86.exe 32 Bit Installer Download]
*[{{SERVER}}/downloads/phidget22/libraries/windows/Phidget22-x64.exe 64 Bit Installer Download]
*[{{SERVER}}/downloads/phidget22/libraries/windows/Phidget22-x64.exe 64 Bit Installer Download]
You also need to download [https://support.apple.com/kb/DL999?locale=en_US Bonjour] on your Windows computer so that you can access your SBC over the network.




Now that you have the drivers installed, find the  [[File:Ph.jpg]]  icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for ''Phidget Control Panel''
Now that you have the drivers installed, find the  [[File:Ph.jpg]]  icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for ''Phidget Control Panel''


[[File:Windows PhidgetTaskbar.PNG|link=|center]]
[[File:Windows PhidgetTaskbar.PNG|link=|center]]




Double click on the icon to open the Phidget Control Panel and navigate to the PhidgetSBCs tab:
Double click on the icon to open the Phidget Control Panel and navigate to the Network Phidgets tab:
 


[[File:phidgetsbc_windowscontrolpanel.PNG|link=|center]]
[[File:phidgetsbc_windowscontrolpanel.PNG|link=|center]]
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Now that you have the drivers installed, find the Phidget Control Panel. There should be an icon in your Applications folder that looks like this: [[File:Ph.jpg]]  
Now that you have the drivers installed, open the Phidget Control Panel by finding the  [[File:Ph.jpg]] icon in your applications folder.


Open the Phidget Control Panel application and navigate to the PhidgetSBCs tab:
Open the Phidget Control Panel application and navigate to the PhidgetSBCs tab:
[[File:Phidgetsbc_maccontrolpanel.png|link=|center|633x460px]]
[[File:Phidgetsbc_maccontrolpanel.png|600px|link=|center]]


As shown in the image above, the Phidget Control Panel will relay the following information to you:
As shown in the image above, the Phidget Control Panel will relay the following information to you:
Line 65: Line 80:


===Linux===
===Linux===
'''WAITING FOR PHIDGET22ADMIN TOOL'''
First things first: make sure you have the latest Phidget drivers installed on your machine. Head over to the [[OS - Linux#Getting Started with Linux| getting started with Linux]] section on the Linux page in order to get everything installed.
 
 
Now that your machine is ready to go, type the following command into the terminal:
<syntaxhighlight lang=bash>
phidget22admin -s
</syntaxhighlight>
 
Your terminal will look something like this:
 
[[File:phidgetsbc_linuxphidgetadmin.PNG|link=|center]]
 
As shown in the image above, the phidget22admin call will relay the following information to you:
*The default link local address (mDNS hostname) which is phidgetsbc.local
*The IP address. There is no default IP address, it must be assigned to the SBC.
*The MAC address. This is useful for distinguishing between multiple SBCs.
 
 
Now that you know the IP address that has been assigned to the SBC, type it into a web browser and hit enter. This will open the SBC Web Interface, which, conveniently enough, is our next topic!


==SBC Web Interface==
==SBC Web Interface==
Line 79: Line 112:


===Take a look around===
===Take a look around===


[[File:phidgetsbc_webinterface.PNG|link=|alt=|center]]
[[File:phidgetsbc_webinterface.PNG|link=|alt=|center]]




Welcome to the SBC homepage! Here you can view system information such as the firmware version, the amount of storage you have left, and more. Take a minute to look around, and when you're ready, we will give an overview of the SBC Web Interface, starting with networking.
Welcome to the SBC homepage! Here you can view system information such as the firmware version, the amount of storage you have left, and more. Take a minute to look around, and, when you're ready, we will give an overview of the SBC Web Interface, starting with networking.
 
===Update Packages===
 
We strongly recommend you update your packages before you start using your SBC. This will make sure that all of the software is up to date and will fix many potential issues with compiling code and using the Phidget Control Panel. To update your packages, go to System -> Packages.
 
[[File:phidgetsbc_packages.jpg|link=|alt=|center]]
 
Then, scroll to the bottom of the list and click on "Refresh Available Packages". It will take a few minutes to refresh the packages. Then, click on "Upgrade All Packages".


===Set up Networking===
===Set up Networking===
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*via a Wi-Fi USB adapter (we recommend [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=3703 this one])
*via a Wi-Fi USB adapter (we recommend [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id=3703 this one])


The SBC can switch between these connections on the fly and will try to connect to Ethernet first. If you're following this guide, you've already set up your network using an Ethernet cable by simply plugging it in. Next, we will take a look at setting up Wi-Fi.
The SBC will try to connect to Ethernet first. It can also switch between Wi-Fi and Ethernet on the fly. If you're following this guide, you've already set up your network using an Ethernet cable by simply plugging it in. Next, we will take a look at setting up Wi-Fi.


====Wireless====
====Wireless====
To set up Wi-Fi on the SBC, first plug in your Wi-Fi USB adapter. Next, navigate to Network->Wireless and your screen will look something like this:
To set up Wi-Fi on the SBC, first plug in your Wi-Fi USB adapter. Next, navigate to Network->Wireless and your screen will look something like this:


[[File:phidgetsbc_wireless.png|link=|alt=|center]]
[[File:phidgetsbc_wifi.PNG|link=|alt=|center]]




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Notes about attached Phidgets:
Notes about attached Phidgets:
*The SBC has a built in VINT Hub Phidget, so you will always see it on your list of attached Phidgets.
*The SBC has a built in VINT Hub Phidget, so you will always see it on your list of attached Phidgets.
*If you have an analog sensor, it will not show up on the list of attached Phidgets.


====Control Panel====
====Control Panel====
Line 139: Line 180:




Take a minute to play around with the different resolutions and framerates available. Also, be sure to check out the webcam control dialog shown below:
Take a minute to play around with the different resolutions and frame rates available. Also, be sure to check out the webcam control dialog shown below:


[[File:phidgetsbc_webcamcontrol.PNG|link=|alt=|center]]
[[File:phidgetsbc_webcamcontrol.PNG|link=|alt=|center]]
Line 145: Line 186:


Notes about using a webcam:
Notes about using a webcam:
*When using a password, the username is ''webcam''. It is recommended to add a password if you are planning to share the stream, however, the HTTP authentication is sent unencrypted, so it is not very secure.
*When using a password, the username is ''webcam''. It is recommended to add a password if you are planning to share the stream. Note: the HTTP authentication is sent unencrypted.
*If multiple webcams are attached, they will start up with the same settings (port number will be incremented for each one). When using multiple webcams, resolution and framerates will have to be reduced.
*If multiple webcams are attached, they will start up with the same settings (port number will be incremented for each one). When using multiple webcams, resolution and frame rates will have to be reduced.


==Technical Details==
==Advanced Topics and Troubleshooting==
===Ports and Connectors===
{{UGC-Start}}
{{UGbox|
{{UGC-Firmware}}
Numbered in the circles on the diagram:
{{UGC-Entry|Armbian Packages||
# 10/100baseT Ethernet
You can find a directory of Armbian packages [{{SERVER}}/downloads/phidgetsbc/SBC3003/armbian/images/ here].
# Six USB High-Speed Ports
# Indicator LEDs
# Reboot / Reset Button
# Power input terminal
# Power input jack
# Eight Interface Kit Digital Inputs  (Indexed 0 to 7)
# Eight Interface Kit Digital Outputs (Indexed 0 to 7)
# Eight Interface Kit Analog Inputs (Indexed 0 to 7)
:A. JTAG connector, for internal testing purposes only
|[[File:1073_0_Layout_Top.jpg|400px|link=]]
||}}


[[File:1072_0_Layout_Front.jpg|500px|link=]]
We have both desktop and server versions available. The Armbian release is more like a general Linux release with the Phidget libraries bundled in, whereas the default OS on the PhidgetSBC is kept very minimal to improve boot time and performance for Phidget-focused tasks.
}}


:1. This Ethernet port is used for network connectivity to the PhidgetSBC. This enables access to the PhidgetSBC as well as any connected Phidgets through the network server. Alternatively, the USB Wireless adapter can be used for network connectivity.
{{UGC-Entry|Connecting a USB Hub||
:2. These USB ports can be used for connecting Phidgets, Wi-Fi adapters, flash drives, webcams, USB hubs, etc.
If you plan on connecting more than 3 USB devices to the SBC4, you'll need to use a [{{SERVER}}/?view{{=}}comparetable&rel{{=}}USBHub USB Hub]. If you do, make sure you plug it into one of the ports highlighted in green below:
:3. These LEDs indicate the status of the PhidgetSBC. The Red LED indicates that the power supply is on and running properly. The green LED indicates boot status. The green LED will turn on and off once during boot and then turn back on when everything is running.
:4. This will reboot the board if pressed once. Note that this is a forced reboot. Any user programs that were running may leave their data in a inconsistent state, but this is safe for the base system. A soft reboot can be performed remotely from the configuration interface.If held for more then 10 seconds, the red LED will start to blink and enter emergency Reset mode. Once the button is released, the onboard memory will revert to a factory-fresh state. This includes overwriting the kernel and root file system, and erasing all configuration, user data, and applications. If held for more then 20 seconds, the Recovery/Upgrade system will be booted, from which a Factory Reset/Full filesystem upgrade can be performed.
:5,6. The PhidgetSBC can be powered from either the terminals or the barrel connector.
:7,8,9. The Interface Kit I/O is explained in the Interface Kit section of the manual.


===Power Distribution===
[[Image:SBC3003_USB.jpg|600px|link=]]


The 12V power supply is stepped down to 5V and distributed in the following way:


* Each USB port has 500 mA available
The port highlighted in red is a USB On-the-go port, which functions as a normal USB port except that connecting multiple devices to it using a USB hub will cause those devices to be unstable and to disconnect unexpectedly.
* All analog inputs share a total of 500 mA
* The digital outputs, +5V terminals, USB controller, and pull-ups all share a total of 500 mA


===Power Over Ethernet===
If the devices you're plugging into your hub are rated for a total of 500mA or more, you should use an externally powered USB hub.  
Power over Ethernet can be used to provide both a network connection and power to a device when a power outlet is not available. This means that with the proper adapters, you can run the PhidgetSBC entirely off an Ethernet source. The PhidgetSBC does not draw power directly from a powered Ethernet line, but instead can use a setup where the power is split to a separate line again near the PhidgetSBC. The board has been tested and will work with Power Sourcing Equipment that can output 6-12VDC.
}}


===Hardware Layout===
{{UGC-Entry|Ports and Connectors||
The PhidgetSBC is based around the i.MX28 processor. This is an ARM926EJ-S based microprocessor from Freescale, which runs at 454MHz. Connected to this is 128 MiB of DDR2 SDRAM, 1 GiB of very large page NAND and a 10/100baseT Ethernet controller. The microprocessors USB Host port is connected to a 7-port USB 2.0 High Speed Hub chip. The integrated PhidgetInterfaceKit 8/8/8 is connected to one of the hub ports, with the other 6 ports being brought out to the user.
[[File:SBC3003_Ports.JPG|800px|link=]]


===Software Layout===
:1. The Ethernet port is used for network connectivity to the SBC. This enables network access to the SBC as well as any connected Phidgets through the Phidget Network Server. Alternatively, a Wi-Fi USB adapter can be used for wireless network connectivity.
The PhidgetSBC runs Debian/GNU Linux 7.0 as its operating system and gets booted with U-Boot. The kernel is 3.6.3 and generally kept up to date with the latest releases. The root filesystem is created using debootstrap and is mounted in a ~924MiB nand partition using the UBIFS filesystem, in Read-Write mode.
:2. The USB ports can be used for connecting Phidgets, Wi-Fi adapters, flash drives, webcams, USB hubs, and other devices.
:3. The HDMI connector can be used for connecting a monitor the the SBC. In this situation, the SBC will function like any other Linux computer. (Note: you must plug the monitor in before powering up the SBC in order for it to be recognized).
:4. Six [[What_is_VINT?|VINT]] ports, essentially an integrated [{{SERVER}}/products.php?product_id{{=}}HUB0000_0 VINT Hub Phidget].
:5. The SBC is powered from the barrel jack connector.
:6 These LEDs indicate the status of the SBC. The red LED indicates that the SBC is receiving power. The green LED indicates boot status. The green LED will turn on and off once during boot and then remain on while the SBC is running.
:7 The micro SD card slot.
}}


Configuration data is located at ‘/etc/webif’. This is where all configuration that can be set through the website is located.
{{UGC-Entry|Hardware Details||
The SBC4 is built around the A20 processor. This is an ARM Cortex-A7 based microprocessor from Allwinner Technology, which runs at 1 GHz. Connected to this is 512 MB of DDR3 SDRAM, and a 10/100baseT Ethernet controller. The microprocessors USB Host port is connected to 3 USB 2.0 High Speed ports.
}}


User applications are stored in ‘/usr/userapps’, each is their own directory.
{{UGC-Entry|Software Details||
The PhidgetSBC runs Debian/GNU Linux 9.0 as its operating system and gets booted with U-Boot.
}}


The kernel is stored on bare Nand in it own 4MiB partition, in the uImage format.
{{UGC-Entry|Date and Time||
The date and time are set using NTP (Network Time Protocol) at boot. A NTP daemon continues to run in the background and will periodically update the clock, ensuring the time is always accurate.


===Date and Time===
There is a real-time clock with battery backup which will preserve date/time across reboots and power removal. If power is suddenly lost, the real-time clock may not have the correct time.
The date and time are set using ntp (network time protocol) at boot. The ntp daemon continues to run in the background and will periodically update the clock, keeping it very close to real time.
}}


There is a real-time clock with battery backup which will preserve date/time across reboots, power removal. The real-time clock is synced to system time during reboot/shutdown. If power is unplugged suddenly, the real-time clock may not have the correct time.
{{UGC-Entry|Factory Reset||
The SBC3003 does not natively support factory reset functionality. However, if your SBC3003 becomes corrupt and needs to be reset to factory firmware, you can [[OS_-_Phidget_SBC#Writing_Image_to_SD_Card|write a new image to the micro SD card]] (or a new card) to similar effect.
}}


===Wireless Networking System===
{{UGC-Entry|Power Distribution||
Wireless networking is supported using the available adapter and is configured through the configuration interface.
The 12V power supply is stepped down to 5V and distributed in the following way:
 
* Each USB port has 500 mA available.
===Configuration System===
* The bulit-in VINT Hub Phidget has 500mA available.
The configuration system used by the website is stored in ‘/etc/webif’. These files should generally not be changed manually, but there is no reason why they could not be. It’s very easy to enter invalid data that could cause the system to behave unexpectedly or not boot.
}}
 
===Nand Layout===
The board contains 1GiB of Nand. This nand is split into 8 partitions as follows:
{|
|-
|0: bootloader      || size: 4MiB    || Read Only
|-
|1: environment      || size: 512KiB  || Read Only
|-
|2: device_tree      || size: 512KiB  || Read Only
|-
|3: recovery_system  || size: 4MiB    || Read Only
|-
|4: recovery_kernel  || size: 4MiB    || Read Only
|-
|5: recovery_fs      || size: 83MiB  || Read Only
|-
|6: kernel            || size: 4MiB    || Writable
|-
|7: rootfs            || size: 924MiB  || Writable
|}
 
U-Boot and recovery kernel and filesystem cannot be written from Linux - this is a safety measure.
 
===Boot Process===
This describes the boot process from power on.
# CPU loads the bootstream from Nand
# Bootstream initializes memory, power and GPIO, then runs u-boot from Nand
# u-boot turns the green LED on and then checks to see if the reset button is being held down
# if the reset button is held, u-boot either restores the kernel/filesystem, or boot into the recovery system, depending on the hold time
# u-boot then loads the device tree and Linux kernel into Ram and then runs the kernel
# Linux reads in the device tree from ram, and turns off the green LED
# Linux then boots, bringing up usb, ethernet, etc.
# init gets run as the parents of all processes, and uses the /etc/inittab script to bring up the system. This includes mounting other filesystems, settings the hostname, running the scripts in /etc/init.d, and running user applications
# inittab then turns the green LED on. The system has finished booting
 
===U-Boot===
U-Boot is used for setting up the processor and booting Linux, and is only accessible by the serial port. Normal users will not need to use it. If you are connected to the serial port, you will see the U-Boot prompt shortly after power up. You can view the environment variables for information on how to properly boot Linux on the PhidgetSBC.
 
Be very careful when modifying the u-boot partition. If it is damaged or overwritten, it is difficult to fix.
 
Refer to U-Boot documentation here: [http://www.denx.de/wiki/DULG/Manual www.denix.de/wiki/DULG/Manual] for more information on using U-Boot.
 
===Ad-hoc Networks===
 
The SBC can be configured as a device in an ad-hoc network.
 
For more information, visit the {{ARTICLE|AdhocNetworksOnSBC|Ad-Hoc Networks}} page.
 
===Further Reading===


Check the [[OS - Phidget SBC|Phidget SBC]] page for more details about using the Phidget SBC.
{{UGC-Entry|Configuration System||
The configuration system used by the SBC Web Interface is stored in ''/etc/webif''. It is not recommended to modify these files.
}}


Check the [[1018 User Guide]] for more information about the InterfaceKit on this board.
{{UGC-End}}


{{UGnext|}}
==What's Next?==
Check the [[OS - Phidget SBC|Phidget SBC page]] next for a guide on how to start writing your own programs, and more!

Latest revision as of 18:47, 6 May 2024


Welcome

Welcome to the user guide for the SBC3003. In this guide we will introduce you to your new Phidget and show you what it is capable of. To get started, make sure you have the following things available:


Ready? Then let's get started!

Getting Started

You can get set up using this video or by following the steps below:

1. If you have any USB Phidgets, VINT Phidgets, or analog sensors, plug them into the SBC now.

2. Connect your SBC to your network using the Ethernet cable.

3. Connect your SBC to power. A red LED will immediately light up underneath the power barrel, indicating your SBC is receiving power. There is also a green LED that will briefly turn on when power is supplied, and then remain on after the SBC has fully booted.


The next step will be to access the SBC Web Interface. This process will vary slightly depending on what type of computer you use:

Windows

First things first: make sure you have the latest Phidget drivers installed on your machine. Download and run the installer:


You also need to download Bonjour on your Windows computer so that you can access your SBC over the network.


Now that you have the drivers installed, find the Ph.jpg icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for Phidget Control Panel


Windows PhidgetTaskbar.PNG


Double click on the icon to open the Phidget Control Panel and navigate to the Network Phidgets tab:


Phidgetsbc windowscontrolpanel.PNG


As shown in the image above, the Phidget Control Panel will relay the following information to you:

  • The default link local address (mDNS address) which is phidgetsbc.local
  • The IP address. There is no default IP address, it must be assigned to the SBC.
  • The MAC address. This is useful for distinguishing between multiple SBCs.


Next, double-click on your SBC in the Phidget Control Panel. This will automatically open the SBC Web Interface, which, conveniently enough, is our next topic! Jump ahead to the SBC Web Interface.

macOS

First things first: make sure you have the latest Phidget drivers installed on your machine. Download and run the installer:


Now that you have the drivers installed, open the Phidget Control Panel by finding the Ph.jpg icon in your applications folder.

Open the Phidget Control Panel application and navigate to the PhidgetSBCs tab:

Phidgetsbc maccontrolpanel.png

As shown in the image above, the Phidget Control Panel will relay the following information to you:

  • The default link local address (mDNS hostname) which is phidgetsbc.local
  • The IP address. There is no default IP address, it must be assigned to the SBC.
  • The MAC address. This is useful for distinguishing between multiple SBCs.


Next, double-click on your SBC in the Phidget Control Panel. This will automatically open the SBC Web Interface, which, conveniently enough, is our next topic! Jump ahead to the SBC Web Interface.

Linux

First things first: make sure you have the latest Phidget drivers installed on your machine. Head over to the getting started with Linux section on the Linux page in order to get everything installed.


Now that your machine is ready to go, type the following command into the terminal: 

phidget22admin -s

Your terminal will look something like this:

Phidgetsbc linuxphidgetadmin.PNG

As shown in the image above, the phidget22admin call will relay the following information to you:

  • The default link local address (mDNS hostname) which is phidgetsbc.local
  • The IP address. There is no default IP address, it must be assigned to the SBC.
  • The MAC address. This is useful for distinguishing between multiple SBCs.


Now that you know the IP address that has been assigned to the SBC, type it into a web browser and hit enter. This will open the SBC Web Interface, which, conveniently enough, is our next topic!

SBC Web Interface

The SBC Web Interface is a powerful tool that will prove invaluable when you begin development. You opened the SBC Web Interface in the previous step, so let`s jump right in and set a password!

Setting a password

The first time you open the SBC Web Interface, you will be greeted with this screen:


You will use this password in the following situations:

  • Future SBC Web Interface access (linked to user admin)
  • SBC terminal access (linked to user root)

Take a look around


Welcome to the SBC homepage! Here you can view system information such as the firmware version, the amount of storage you have left, and more. Take a minute to look around, and, when you're ready, we will give an overview of the SBC Web Interface, starting with networking.

Update Packages

We strongly recommend you update your packages before you start using your SBC. This will make sure that all of the software is up to date and will fix many potential issues with compiling code and using the Phidget Control Panel. To update your packages, go to System -> Packages.

Then, scroll to the bottom of the list and click on "Refresh Available Packages". It will take a few minutes to refresh the packages. Then, click on "Upgrade All Packages".

Set up Networking

You can connect to your network in two ways with the SBC:

  • via an Ethernet cable
  • via a Wi-Fi USB adapter (we recommend this one)

The SBC will try to connect to Ethernet first. It can also switch between Wi-Fi and Ethernet on the fly. If you're following this guide, you've already set up your network using an Ethernet cable by simply plugging it in. Next, we will take a look at setting up Wi-Fi.

Wireless

To set up Wi-Fi on the SBC, first plug in your Wi-Fi USB adapter. Next, navigate to Network->Wireless and your screen will look something like this:


Add your Wi-Fi network by selecting it from the list, providing any necessary credentials, and clicking the Add This Network button.

Here are some useful Wi-Fi tips:

  • You don't have to see a network in order to connect to it. You can add the SSID and password of a network, and the next time the SBC boots it will connect to that network if it is available.
  • The SSID settings are only for DHCP networks.


Next, we will cover setting a static IP with the SBC Web Interface.

Static IP

Don't have DHCP on your main network? Not to worry, you can easily set up a static IP with the SBC:

  • Ethernet: Navigate to Network->Settings to set up a static IP.
  • Wi-Fi: Navigate to Network->Wireless to set up a static IP.

Now simply enter your network configuration and save the changes. The SBC will immediately start to use the static IP.

Warning: setting a static IP improperly can make the SBC very hard to re-connect to depending on the routing within the rest of your network.

View Attached Phidgets

Phidgets Status

Now that your networking is set up, let's take a look at which Phidgets are attached to the SBC. Do this by navigating to Phidgets->Status. Your screen should look something like this:


Notes about attached Phidgets:

  • The SBC has a built in VINT Hub Phidget, so you will always see it on your list of attached Phidgets.

Control Panel

After you confirm which Phidgets are attached to your SBC, navigate to Phidgets->Control Panel. Here, you can test your Phidgets and learn more about their functionality.

Using a Webcam

If you would like to use a webcam with the SBC, ensure it is a UVC (USB Video Class) compatible webcam that supports MJPEG. Next, simply plug it into the SBC and navigate to the Webcam tab.



Take a minute to play around with the different resolutions and frame rates available. Also, be sure to check out the webcam control dialog shown below:


Notes about using a webcam:

  • When using a password, the username is webcam. It is recommended to add a password if you are planning to share the stream. Note: the HTTP authentication is sent unencrypted.
  • If multiple webcams are attached, they will start up with the same settings (port number will be incremented for each one). When using multiple webcams, resolution and frame rates will have to be reduced.

Advanced Topics and Troubleshooting

Expand All
Upgrading or Downgrading Device Firmware

Firmware Upgrade

MacOS users can upgrade device firmware by double-clicking the device row in the Phidget Control Panel.

Linux users can upgrade via the phidget22admin tool (see included readme for instructions).

Windows users can upgrade the firmware for this device using the Phidget Control Panel as shown below.

ControlpanelFWup.jpg

Firmware Downgrade

Firmware upgrades include important bug fixes and performance improvements, but there are some situations where you may want to revert to an old version of the firmware (for instance, when an application you're using is compiled using an older version of phidget22 that doesn't recognize the new firmware).

MacOS and Linux users can downgrade using the phidget22admin tool in the terminal (see included readme for instructions).

Windows users can downgrade directly from the Phidget Control Panel if they have driver version 1.9.20220112 or newer:

ControlpanelFWdown.jpg

Firmware Version Numbering Schema

Phidgets device firmware is represented by a 3-digit number. For firmware patch notes, see the device history section on the Specifications tab on your device's product page.

FWversion.jpg

  • If the digit in the 'ones' spot changes, it means there have been bug fixes or optimizations. Sometimes these changes can drastically improve the performance of the device, so you should still upgrade whenever possible. These upgrades are backwards compatible, meaning you can still use this Phidget on a computer that has Phidget22 drivers from before this firmware upgrade was released.
  • If the digit in the 'tens' spot changes, it means some features were added (e.g. new API commands or events). These upgrades are also backwards compatible, in the sense that computers running old Phidget22 drivers will still be able to use the device, but they will not be able to use any of the new features this version added.
  • If the digit in the 'hundreds' spot changes, it means a major change has occurred (e.g. a complete rewrite of the firmware or moving to a new architecture). These changes are not backwards compatible, so if you try to use the upgraded board on a computer with old Phidget22 drivers, it will show up as unsupported in the Control Panel and any applications build using the old libraries won't recognize it either. Sometimes, when a Phidget has a new hardware revision (e.g. 1018_2 -> 1018_3), the firmware version's hundreds digit will change because entirely new firmware was needed (usually because a change in the processor). In this case, older hardware revisions won't be able to be upgraded to the higher version number and instead continue to get bug fixes within the same major revision.
Armbian Packages

You can find a directory of Armbian packages here.

We have both desktop and server versions available. The Armbian release is more like a general Linux release with the Phidget libraries bundled in, whereas the default OS on the PhidgetSBC is kept very minimal to improve boot time and performance for Phidget-focused tasks.

Connecting a USB Hub

If you plan on connecting more than 3 USB devices to the SBC4, you'll need to use a USB Hub. If you do, make sure you plug it into one of the ports highlighted in green below:

SBC3003 USB.jpg


The port highlighted in red is a USB On-the-go port, which functions as a normal USB port except that connecting multiple devices to it using a USB hub will cause those devices to be unstable and to disconnect unexpectedly.

If the devices you're plugging into your hub are rated for a total of 500mA or more, you should use an externally powered USB hub.

Ports and Connectors

SBC3003 Ports.JPG

1. The Ethernet port is used for network connectivity to the SBC. This enables network access to the SBC as well as any connected Phidgets through the Phidget Network Server. Alternatively, a Wi-Fi USB adapter can be used for wireless network connectivity.
2. The USB ports can be used for connecting Phidgets, Wi-Fi adapters, flash drives, webcams, USB hubs, and other devices.
3. The HDMI connector can be used for connecting a monitor the the SBC. In this situation, the SBC will function like any other Linux computer. (Note: you must plug the monitor in before powering up the SBC in order for it to be recognized).
4. Six VINT ports, essentially an integrated VINT Hub Phidget.
5. The SBC is powered from the barrel jack connector.
6 These LEDs indicate the status of the SBC. The red LED indicates that the SBC is receiving power. The green LED indicates boot status. The green LED will turn on and off once during boot and then remain on while the SBC is running.
7 The micro SD card slot.
Hardware Details

The SBC4 is built around the A20 processor. This is an ARM Cortex-A7 based microprocessor from Allwinner Technology, which runs at 1 GHz. Connected to this is 512 MB of DDR3 SDRAM, and a 10/100baseT Ethernet controller. The microprocessors USB Host port is connected to 3 USB 2.0 High Speed ports.

Software Details

The PhidgetSBC runs Debian/GNU Linux 9.0 as its operating system and gets booted with U-Boot.

Date and Time

The date and time are set using NTP (Network Time Protocol) at boot. A NTP daemon continues to run in the background and will periodically update the clock, ensuring the time is always accurate.

There is a real-time clock with battery backup which will preserve date/time across reboots and power removal. If power is suddenly lost, the real-time clock may not have the correct time.

Factory Reset

The SBC3003 does not natively support factory reset functionality. However, if your SBC3003 becomes corrupt and needs to be reset to factory firmware, you can write a new image to the micro SD card (or a new card) to similar effect.

Power Distribution

The 12V power supply is stepped down to 5V and distributed in the following way:

  • Each USB port has 500 mA available.
  • The bulit-in VINT Hub Phidget has 500mA available.
Configuration System

The configuration system used by the SBC Web Interface is stored in /etc/webif. It is not recommended to modify these files.

What's Next?

Check the Phidget SBC page next for a guide on how to start writing your own programs, and more!

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