Avalon1

Technology Summary:
   TSMC 0.11- micron G process
       5 Metal
Core Voltage: 1.2 V
I/O Voltage: 3.3 V
Core Frequency: 256+ MHz
Number of Pads: 48
   8 Data
   40+1 Power
Package Type: QFN48 -0.5 Pitch
Packaged Chip Size: 7 mm x 7 mm

Chip Interface
Data Pins (8 in total):
Clock                     i
Serial Data In  [2]       i
Serial Data Out [2]       o
Serial Data Bypass [2]    o
Reserved    [1]    -

TSMC
TMEM91
Chip Size :   X = 3.9760 ,Y = 4.0560 mm
Reticle Size :   X/cell =  3 ,Y/cell =  3
Offset Value :   X = -3.7668 ,Y = -2.2990 mm
Alignment Mark :   (118.80,83.20),(-118.80,-83.20)
Alignment Mark Tolerant Distance :      1.6 mm
Notch Reserved Distance :   7.75 mm
Start Distance :   7.75 mm
Ring Edge :   3.0 mm
Photo Die Number:    4055

Chip power efficienty: 6.6W/GHs @ 1.15 V
Module power consumption: 149W @ 20GHs / 164W@ 22GHs
Machine power consumption: 595W @ 220V-AC / 620W @ 120V-AC

• For 2,3 modulars machine

1. ANTEC EA-650 GREEN
2. Enermax GX650
3. Enermax GX750
4. CORSAIR GS700
5. CORSAIR GS800
6. Super-Flower(振华) SF-650P14XE(GX)

• For 4 modulars machine

1. Enermax 金魔冰核1000W(suit for 4 modules, a little bit long)
2. OCZ ZX Series 1250W

• 155mm recommend, MAX: 170mm
• For 3 module units: 650W, 48A 12V, at least. recommend for a 20% margin.
• For 4 module units: 750W, 60A 12V, at least. recommend for a 20% margin.
• Plugs:
  • 1X ATX 24PIN
  • 1X EPS 12V (8PIN)
  • 2X PCIE 12V (8PIN)

File:Avalon-703n-back.JPG File:Avalon-703n-front.JPG

File:Avalon-controlunit-v1.2.JPG File:Avalon-controlunit-v1.2-fpga.JPG File:Avalon-controlunit-v1.2-usb-serail-chip.JPG File:Avalon-controlunit-v1.2-spi-flash.JPG File:Avalon-controlunit-v1.2-usb-connector.JPG File:Avalon-temperature-sensor-1.JPG

File:Avalon-controlunit-v1.2-P5.JPG File:Avalon-controlunit-v1.2-by-ngzhang.JPG

File:Avalon-pdu-v1.2.JPG File:Avalon-pdu-v1.2-side.JPG

File:Avalon-fpga-controller-led-detail.JPG File:Avalon-fpga-controller-led.JPG File:Avalon-modular-date-cable-head.JPG File:Avalon-modular-date-cable.JPG File:Avalon-modular-power-cable-head.JPG File:Avalon-modular-power-cable.JPG

File:Avalon-temperature-sensor-detail.JPG File:Avalon-temperature-sensor.JPG

• Assemble manual

MinerCount: The small miner count, each modular have 8 miners
AsicCount: The asic count on each miner. it is fixed 10
Frequency: Chip running frequcney
Fan1/2/3: The fan speed round per minute
Temp1: The air-in temperature
Temp2/3: The air-out temperature
DH(%): Hardwre error rate
NMW: Non-match work count
Firmware: the Openwrt firmware version
Controller: The FPGA controller firmware version, 0: mean read nothing

[match_work_count*]: the work matched to which miner. is the number is very low compare to others mean it is unhealth

--avalon-options 115200:24:10:45:282:110. this is the default avalon option. here is the details:

115200: the serial baud. this have to match the controller baud.
24: the miner count.(there are 3 modulars in avalon. each modular have 8 miners), if your avalon have 4 modulars. change it to 32
10: the chip count pre miner.
45: the controller timeout parameter. the valid number: 50, 47, 45, 40.
282: the chip clock. the valid number: 256, 270, 282, 300, 325 , 350, 375
110: the latest cgminer support 110nm and 55nm, two type of Avalon.

In case you need to run Cgminer in linux console please run the following command:

• Restart Cgminer:

# /etc/init.d/cgminer restart

If your avalon does not mine properly, please run Cgminer in debug mode with -D --verbose option. For example:

# cgminer -o stratum.btcguild.com:3333 -O xxxx:yyyy -D --verbose --avalon-options 115200:24:10:45:282 --api-allow "W:0/0" --api-listen 2>/tmp/cgminer-debug.log

If you use cgminer 4.5.0, the command will like this:

# cgminer -o stratum.btcguild.com:3333 -O xxxx:yyyy -D --verbose --api-allow "W:0/0" --api-listen 2>/tmp/cgminer-debug.log

You must have an openwrt development environment and know how to compile an firmware. If you don't have an proper environment,you can try build-avalon-image.sh to get all you need for dev.

The following must be done under openwrt's root directory

• make package/cgminer/{clean,prepare} V=s QUILT=1
• cd build_dir/target-*/cgminer-*
• quilt push -a
• make package/cgminer/compile V=s

• make package/cgminer/{clean,prepare} V=s QUILT=1
• cd build_dir/target-*/cgminer-*
• quilt push -a
• quilt edit fileyouwanttoedit (you modify the file under last patch file)
• make package/cgminer/compile V=s

if you finish patch work,then update patch like this make package/cgminer/update V=s

Working with patches

There is a modify version of TP-LINK TP-WR703N inside Avalon. cgminer running at 703n, this 703n have 64MB ram and modified power supply. it power from the usb-client side(we moved a 0R resistor from J1 to R113 for that)

Why there is a ugly USB HUB there? you can find more information about AR9331's usb stability issue here.

1. Download latest Avalon image to your PC.
2. Goto:

 System -> Backup / Flash Firmware -> Flash new firmware image (make sure Keep settings is checked)

1. Select the image you just download. then compare the md5 in next page. if everything fine. click Proceed

Attention: To avoid your WR703N become a brick, during flash your WR703N be careful DO NOT power off avalon, and DO NOT break your network connection. Just wait there till you see OpenWrt login web page again.

Attention: If not essential please do not re-Flash your Avalon. Because not all of WR703N issue could be resolved by reset button. If you want to play WR703N I would like to recommend you order a standalone TP-LINK WR703N from ebay or somewhere for studying purpose.

Note: Make sure your RPI partition first, use this command: diskutil list

1. Download latest Avalon image to your PC.
2. Use any terminal to input the following command

 diskutil umountDisk /dev/disk1
 sudo dd bs=1m if=openwrt-brcm2708-sdcard-vfat-ext4.img of=/dev/rdisk1

1. Download latest Avalon image to your PC.
2. Then open the following

  http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/raspberry_pi#flash.the.sd.card

Avalon shipped with a 9db antenna after connect it to WR703N usually could establish good wireless connection with your WIFI router. But if for some reason you would like to use Ethernet Cable to connect Avalon with your network, please login OpenWrt and configure the LAN port:

Network -> Interfaces -> LAN -> Edit -> Common Configuration -> General Setup
Disable the DHCP on Lan port

Attention: You need to configure it correctly based on your own network enviroment. If anything wrong you might could not access your WR703N any more.

To maximize your Avalon miner's performance, it is recommended that you choose pools with the stratum protocol supported. The default mining pool configured in Avalon is ozco.in. To change it login to OpenWrt:

Status -> Cgminer Configuration
Click "Save & Apply" to save your update and restart cgminer immediately

Currently the stratum pools that could work stable with Avalon are:

• 50BTC.com
• Solo mining with Eloipool
• BitMinter
• Eligius
• Ozcoin
• btcguild
• slush's pool
• Triplemining

To get more information about how to configure specific pools, please check their website. If you run multiple Avalons, we recommend that you create a dedicated worker for each of them. This will make it easier to monitor your Avalons through the pool's website and identify possible problems.

• https://github.com/BitSyncom/cgminer/tree/master
• https://github.com/BitSyncom/cgminer-openwrt-packages
• https://github.com/BitSyncom/luci/tree/cgminer-webui
• https://github.com/BitSyncom/avalon-extras

About P5 jumper: close this jumper will supply 5V to the USB-B port. in this system, the controller board power the 703N from the client side. if you connect the controller itself to a PC, you better remove the jumper.

File:Avalon fpga controller v1.5.jpg File:Avalon fpga controller v1.5 usb hub.jpg

• Remove the F1(Fuse) for fix the USB-HUB chip overheat,

1. if you are batch2 user and your received Avalon between Apr 26 2013 ~ May 31 2013
2. the FPGA controller is 1.5
3. your FPGA contoller board still have F1 mounted

you need do this by yourself. removing F1 will not make the usb hub stop working, F1 powers the USB-A1 plug (which is normally unused), more info please checkout here

• Fixed USB-HUB chip overheat, NO NEEDS remove F1 anymore

File:Avalon batch3 V1.61 detail.png File:Avalon batch3 V1.61 detail1.png

• Some of batch3 macine will use new case and V1.61 FPGA controller (all new case have V1.61 FPGA controller)
• New temperature sensors, mounted on PCB.
• Move the Fan power from FPGA controller to PDU. reduce the interference.
• Please DO NOT flash old fpga controller firmware to V1.61 controller board (new batch3 machine). it may make your Avalon not working.
• LEDs

Left: Green --> Power-on, Red --> PSU issue, OFF: --> No power 
Right: Yellow --> FPGA Buffer empty(no task send out to fpga), OFF --> FPGA Buffer full(means mining)

• If kernel cannot detect the ft232 chip. The probability is the QFN ft232 chip have soldering problem. then you need do a re-work on this FT232 QFN chip.
• The task buffer LED never on.(Should be light when power on. off when cgminer start working). below is the correct led cable connector:

File:Avalon-batch3-led-connector.JPG

File:Fpga-controller-jtag-pins.png File:M1 JTAGserialpod Pins.JPG

• Update under Avalon 703N: http://downloads.canaan-creative.com/software/avalon/fpga-controller/
• http://en.qi-hardware.com/w/images/f/ff/M1_JTAGserialpod_Pins.JPG

#mini-jtag load xc6slx16-2-ftg256.bscan_s6_spi_isf_ext.bit && sleep 1 && xc3sprog -c qi -v -I fpga_controller_2013-05-02-D.bit
xc3sprog -c qi xc6slx16-2-ftg256.bscan_s6_spi_isf_ext.bit && sleep 1 && xc3sprog -c qi -v -I fpga_controller_2013-05-02-D.bit
xc3sprog -c qi -v -I file.bin:R:0:bin
dd if=file.bin bs=68 skip=1 of=file2.bin
xc3sprog -c qi -v -I file2.bin:w:0:bin
rm -f file.bin file2.bin

1. Connect the board to your PC by using Xilinx platform cable USB taobao link
2. Open iMPACT
3. The cable will detect the Xilinx FPGA and the SPI flash automaticly.
4. Right click the SPI flash. choose: Assign New configuration File... and choose the file you want reflash. (a .mcs file)

 SPI PROM: W25Q80BV
 Data Width: 4

1. Right click the SPI flash. choose: Program
2. A green bar will come out when success finished.

Doing anything special is no longer required as of commit 11d63ef66. Since the recent P2Pool hardfork, dead-on-arrival rates of about 6% or more are normal. GPU rates are usually (1-2%). Mining with Avalons on P2Pool is nearly as efficient as solo mining.

Not all 703n have this problem. ignore this section if you never meet this error

• There is a power issue with the 703N, The 703N is drawing to much power it caused the USB HUB chip on Bitcointalk users Senseless's FPGA controller to nearly destroy itself. See the destruction here

• In order to fix it you need had to power down the WiFi modem by disable it, use Eithernet instead. The kernel no long report -71 errors. thanks to Bitcointalk user Senseless and others who help on identify the issue.

• If your avalon was far away from your router. eithernet cable not fit. you may want try those kind of devices
  • TP-LINK TL-PA500(For mainland China) : http://www.tp-link.com.cn/product_adapter_263.html
  • TP-LINK TL-PA511 : http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-PA511

• There is a pair of gloves in Avalon package. please put it on when assembling or carrying.

• About the plastic sheets: please remove them BEFORE mining. we design the case as a part of heatsink, so remove the plastic sheets is a must

• About FAN change: DO NOT change the fans to a low speed model. will cause over heat. DO NOT install extra fans at the rear "fan socket". will cause PSU over heat and nearly useless for module cooling.

• About install extra heat-sinks on each avalon chip: please do not do that. there is a air gap between the die and package top, install a heatsink on chip is useless. and will cause overheating. because the top PCB copper act as a heatsink too. do not cover them.

• About water cooling: yes, do it.

• If you are overclocking, even just a little, and your Avalon stops functioning, and there are no visible signs of heat-related damage, consider testing and/or replacing the power supply. You should probably not be overclocking without a replacement PSU anyway. Make sure PSU is rated for 750W or more (if overclocking.)

Please always use the latest "next-testing" image for testing. testing images will remove as long as a new release come out.

• Update to cgminer 4.0.0
• Thanks to GJPMiningco for building the firmware. please consider donate to him: 18n3voNMvBCAZFGmH8fnvQ3mMhNp33q8tX

• Update Cgminer to latest(Version: 3.9.0)
• Update OpenWrt to r38817
• Add Avalon2 A3255 prototype machine support, new option for A3255, (A3255 frequency: 1000-2000Mhs).

• Update Cgminer to latest(Version: 3.4.3 Latest commit: d5f61e9, Sep 22 2013), Cgminer Changelog
• Update OpenWrt to r38031, Linux update to 3.10.12
• Display new informations on status page, (include Device Hardware, Pool Quote and the FPGA controller firmware version)
• Display share/help links for Avalon users, (this wiki page and IRC channel)

• Update OpenWrt to r37008 (we have Linux version 3.8.13)
• Update cgminer to 3.3.1 (Jun 21, 37815e0). new options for Avalon, please read API-README for more information.

--avalon-auto       Adjust avalon overclock frequency dynamically for best hashrate
--avalon-cutoff <arg> Set avalon overheat cut off temperature (default: 60)
--avalon-fan <arg>  Set fanspeed percentage for avalon, single value or range (default: 20-100)
--avalon-freq <arg> Set frequency range for avalon-auto, single value or range
--avalon-temp <arg> Set avalon target temperature (default: 50)

• Add more overclock options (325, 350, 375)
• Two new options on webui for the new batch3 machine, The batch3 machine have some hardware improvment, one is the temperature sensor was mounted on PCB. (no long glue to the heatsink) so the temperature will be ~20℃ higher compare to the old design (temperature tip) on same condition, so by default we set the:

 New  Batch3 Machine: Target Temperature to 70℃ and Overheat Cut Off Temperature to 90℃
 Before Batch3 Machine: Target Temperature to 50℃ and Overheat Cut Off Temperature to 70℃

• • Target Temperature(--avalon-temp): The fan will goes to full speed when reach this temperature
  • Overheat Cut Off Temperature(--avalon-cutoff): The avalon will idle chips when reach this temperature

• Update cgminer to 3.2.1, we have the direct USB feature now.
• Add --lowmem by default
• cgminer-monitor: change the schedule from 5mins to 2mins
• cgminer-monitor: switch from Diff1 work to Last Valid Work
• Disable DHCP on lan port.
• Remove custom DNS (8.8.8.8)
• Some minor changes on web page

• Update cgminer to 3.1.1
• Add More Options on web configure page(you can add 4th,5th pool here now)
• Disable hotplug. useless on Avalon
• Include usbmon in firmware, prepare/debug for usb code, this was for developers
• Dynamic display [match_work_count*] base on Modular Count
• You may want add --real-quiet under Cgminer Configuration --> More Options after upgrade
• Change 300MHS timeout from 40 to 43
• Change Modular Count(3 ~ 4) to Miner Count(1 ~ 32) on webui
• Switch buildhost from Ubuntu 12.10 to Debian 7.0.0
• NOTE: If your Pool URLs have trailing slash remove the trailing slash (symptom is: [2013-06-04 19:05:30] Failed to resolve (?wrong URL) host.name.com:PORT/ and/or all Pools with trailing slash listed as DEAD in status)

• Merged to cgminer. BIG thanks to conman. so we have all cgminer's improvment
• Idle avalon chips after reset. for save power. (idle needs ~50W)
• Fix the cgminer restart bug.
• Fix temp/fan have wrong value(the wrong result from fpga controller)
• Fix the fan control. now base on the max value of temp2/3
• Fix no_matching_work only count in debug mode
• Update cgminer-monitor, replace [Accept] with [Diff1 Work], add killall before restart.
• Fix a typo on /usr/bin/cgminer-monitor
• More check/fliter on result. this make Avalon more stable
• New status page, new api log page.
• Improve the cgminer service. a restart takes ~2 seconds now. no needs ntpd when restart
• Quiet some improvments on software develop/codeing. compile Avalon firmware is much eaiser with build-avalon-image.sh
• Frimware version:

[Firmware Version] => 20130419
cgminer-8e8313c
luci-28b4ff2
cgminer-openwrt-packages-f2bc5dc

• For fix the cgminer-monitor, please run this command after you reflash

 sed -i 's/ $B / "$B" /' /usr/bin/cgminer-monitor

If you "check the Keep settings", you need fill API Allow to "W:127.0.0.1" after reflash, edit it here: "http://AVALON_IP/cgi-bin/luci/admin/status/cgminer/", "DO NOT" left it blank

If you "uncheck the Keep settings" when reflashing, Please "reconfigure your Avalon" after reflash

• Update Linux from 3.6 to 3.8.3
• Update OpenWrt to r36095
• When there is no network. automatic idle chip after detect avalon, save power and protect your avalon overheat
• Idle chip when cgminer close avalon
• Add device_reinit support
• Add frequency, modular configure on web ui
• Add API Allow on web ui
• Add pool balance on web ui, by default balance on all 3 pools
• Add stratum+tcp:// by default
• Display Frequency on status page
• Fix the kern.err kernel: ... ath: phy0: ... bug
• Fliter >=100 degree result for debug
• Replace TempMax with No Matching Work

• A new cgminer status page
• /etc/avalon_version include all repo commit
• Fix temp_history_count, make sure 2~3s call adjuest_fan

• Update adjust_fan()
• Using avaon default worker

• Update fan pwm

• Update fan pwm MAX/MIN
• Sync with upstream, fix the memory leak bug
• Monitor the Accept number

• Add overclock code
• Change the cgminer configure to UCI system
• Add the simple web ui

• Update OpenWRt to r35097
• Update cgminer to 2.10.4
• Remove /www/miner.php, change cgminer cron job to */5
• Start ntpd before start cgminer

• New firmware don't break Avalon for sure
• New firmware don't use all flash. have to keep some space for save configuration
• Either and WiFI connect works fine
• Cgminer works fine(the kernel user driver, cgminer it self, cgminer-monitor and uci configurations files)
• After configure cgminer. [Save & Apply] can restart the cgminer
• The Status/API log page works fine
• Test mining
• Test the cgminer-monitor
• Make sure 80/22/4028 open on WAN.
• Make sure the hashrate same on both side: pool and cgminer

• You need apply this patch to your OpenWrt for enable usbmon
• Run make menuconfig goto Kernel modules --> USB Support enable kmod-usb-mon