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Entropy32-Recorder

captainchapster·Entropy32-Recorder·KiCad/entropy32_recorder.kicad_pcb

Entropy32-Recorder PCB layout, top view — open source AVR/Arduino board by captainchapster
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About the Entropy32-Recorder PCB

Entropy32-Recorder is an open source AVR/Arduino PCB design by captainchapster, published on GitHub under the MIT license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 36 × 47 mm, with 10 components from 8 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the ARDUINO_NANO_V2.X, from the AVR/Arduino family. Other key parts include the LM393. By type, the board carries 5 resistors, 2 capacitors, 1 IC, 1 module and 1 connector.

It belongs with the science & space, test & measurement and usb & debug tools designs in this gallery.

From the project

A standalone entropy recording instrument that streams Geiger pulse time stamp data over USB serial for the purpose of collecting data for NIST testing.

Firmware, hardware, and tooling for the Entropy32 Recorder — a standalone Geiger-counter-based board, built around an ATmega328P (Arduino Nano form factor), for recording raw entropy source data.

This is a separate board from Entropy32 / Entropy32 Plus, not a mode or alternate firmware of it. It does not generate seeds or any conditioned output. Its only job is to capture raw, unconditioned edge timing data from the entropy source (Geiger tube + LM393 comparator) so it can be run through statistical test suites (e.g. NIST STS) to validate the quality of the entropy source itself, before that…

Entropy32-Recorder, from the project README
From the project README

Main components on the Entropy32-Recorder

LM393ARDUINO_NANO_V2.X

Entropy32-Recorder bill of materials (BOM)

10 components, 8 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

QtyPartRefs
1
LM393
U1
1
ARDUINO_NANO_V2.X
Arduino_Nano_v2.x
A1
1
AUDIOJACK2
AudioJack2
J1
1
100NF
100nF
C1
1
100PF
100pF
C2
2
10K
10k
R1, R4
2
1k
R2, R5
1
100K
100k
R3

Entropy32-Recorder design files

The KiCad project lives in the captainchapster/Entropy32-Recorder repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Entropy32-Recorder: common questions

What microcontroller does the Entropy32-Recorder use?

The Entropy32-Recorder is built around the ARDUINO_NANO_V2.X, from the AVR/Arduino family.

How big is the Entropy32-Recorder PCB?

The Entropy32-Recorder measures 36 × 47 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Entropy32-Recorder?

10 components, from 8 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Entropy32-Recorder design files?

From the captainchapster/Entropy32-Recorder repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Entropy32-Recorder design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its MIT license, which captainchapster chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the Entropy32-Recorder without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug AVR/Arduino firmware against it before you order a PCB.

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