Part of my show has outgrown the F4B that I've used the last two years. I need at least one more output, likely two, for this year. I also would prefer two DMX outputs at that location. (I could then get rid of a Komby serial adapter that's currently there)
One option is to jump to the F16B, but that is much larger than I need and really wouldn't fit into the CG500 that I'm currently using. Instead I managed to convince Dave to let me see the F4B schematics and decided to try to design my own board. I've attached preliminary drawing. Basically, it's an F8B providing 8 fused pixel ports. In addition to that, it has 3 RJ45 ports. Those are configured as follows:
Top port: this is a differential output of ports 9-12. Thus, if you have the falcon differential board, there is 4 more strings
Middle port: this will be configurable in FPP (I may need the Captains help on this) as either 4 more strings for the differential board OR 4 universes of DMX OR 4 universes of PixelNet
Bottom port: this is also configurable as 4 more strings OR 4 DMX or 4 PixelNet. The restriction being that we cannot do DMX on one and PixelNet on the other.
So basically, if you don't need DMX/PixelNet, you would get 8 local strings and 12 "remote".
Anyway, I definitely need Dave or someone to take a close look at it. I've NEVER EVER EVER designed a board before. I installed Eagle for the first time specifically to attempt this. I'm learning as I go on this. Eagle doesn't have the parts in the normal library for a bunch of things so I grabbed stuff that "looked right." I'm also a bit unsure on the wiring of the RJ45's for the differential board. They need double checking. You'll also see the bottom left is completely empty. I may re-introduce the RTC there and/or a power button. Haven't decided. Not something I would really use, but I could just not populate it. Probably better than blank space. I was kind of hoping for an additional RJ45, but not sure where it would fit. I also haven't started at all on the silk screen layer. I've stuck the eagle project in my dropbox if anyone wants to look:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/v7spzway2bxzx8b/AADOzFXn1H-on_yi5eF2r1Dea?dl=0Anyway, would anyone else be interested in one (or more)? Kind of trying to gauge if there is enough interest for a group buy or similar or do I just order some prototype boards for myself. (in which case I won't care at all about the silk screen)

Right now, it's JUST under the 10cm x 10cm size of ordering.