(Working Project Title - Fun cute spin alluding to work with LattePanda Mu)
Minimalist Battery-powered and USB4 OCuLink carrier board and enclosure for the LattePanda Mu compute module, which is designed to host am x86 open-source router, and a traditional Desktop Enviroment, such as Windows.
See the Wiki for indepth view of the project, including hardware spec, planning, estimated timeline, and long-term roadmap.
- Designed for the Lattepanda Mu COmpute module, featuring an Intel N100 CPU and 8GB RAM.
Two full functioning USB 4.0 ports, for eGPU, USB Docks and port expanders, Displayport/HDMI, etc.- OCuLink
At the current time, adding USB4 might not be possible for the level of this project. I still do strongly believe USB 4.0 is the best route, but in the absents of that option. For at least V1, i will fall-back to OCuLink.
- Two USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 ports with Alt. Mode Display Port Output and USB-PD
- Approx. 4500 to 5000 mAh built-in battery
- Charging/powered via USB-PD
- 1x M.2 M-key 2230 slot, for NVMe SSD (hopefully with x4 PCIe lanes)
- 1x M.2 E-Key 2230 slot, for WLAN
- I2C pinout via a removable window in enclosure
- UART pinout via a removable window in enclosure
The goal of this project is to design a highly portable, open-soure router, and similtaneous, remote access (aka video streaming) x86 computer "server" that fits in your pocket. A x86 device for moderate-weight workloads when suitable ARM-based alternatives are lacking. Examples include but not limited to; Gaming, Emulation, Engineering applications such as CAD and CAM, Portable Software Development Environment for running some IDEs, Cybersecurity tools/distros (although Kali has some good ARM stuff), Scientific Research and Enginnering Field Data Analysis, and more....
With the increasing popularity of MR headsets like the Apple Vision Pro, or Oculus Quest, last but not least larger phones/tablets, access to a display and some input method are unending. Yet, these headsets and android/iOS devices, leave some applications inaccessible due to their dependence on x86 CPU architecture. This includes a catalog of older software, like gaming titles, emulation and custom client software, that may take years or never get optimizated to emulate on ARM, god willing run natively.
The Mu-boo Cub Mug aims to provide access to these applications/software without the need for additional screens or redundant hardware. Minimalism, and (hopefully) sleek will be key. Less ports, generally means less chips, which means less power draw, size, weight and complexity. The design intent is for the device to operate without physical connections for a minimum of two hours, allowing users to access these applications and the raw power of x86, through remote access, via a Smartphone or VR/MR/AR headset, including emerging glasses displays.
The included OCuLink port will allow users to incorpate other PCIe devices should they need. While additional ports and connectivity can be managed through the high bandwidth USB 3.2 port, using inexpensive, and user-friendly USB hubs, or via Bluetooth connectivity.
To achieve the similtaneous router and desktop remote access functionality, for V1, this will be implmented using Virtualization, running proxmox as a Host VM, with OpenWRT as a guest OS VM, and Windows 11 guest OS VM for it's Desktop Enviroment.