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skot authored Oct 27, 2023
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```
Closed Source is Antithetical to Bitcoin
Open Source is Intrinsic to Bitcoin
```
# The bitaxeUltra
bitaxe is a fully open source hardware Bitcoin ASIC miner. Ultra is the 3rd major revision of the bitaxe that now includes the BM1366 ASIC from the S19XP
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- **TI TPS40305** buck regulator steps down the 5V input to power the BM1366
- **Maxim DS4432U+** current DAC digitally adjusts the BM1366 core voltage from 0.04V to 2.4V
- **TI INA260** power meter measures the input voltage and current of the miner
- **Microchip EMC2101** PWM controls the fan and monitors tach output. Measuring internal die temp isn't working.
- **Microchip EMC2101** PWM controls the fan and monitors tach output. BM1366 doesn't support die temp.
- 0.91" **SSD1306 OLED** I2C Display Module

## BM1366

- The BM1366 is a undocumented SHA256 mining ASIC from Bitmain. It's mostly used in the Antminer S19XP
- The BM1366 is a undocumented SHA256 mining ASIC from Bitmain. It's used in the Antminer S19XP and the S19k Pro
- Bitmain claims the BM1366 has 0.021J/GH efficiency
- The BM1366 is available (new) for around $15 each in small quantities.
- The BM1366 has a different footprint and pinout from the BM1397 and BM1387 in previous bitaxe.
- The BM1366 appears to roll more than just the nonce on the chip. This is great news, because it allows much longer serial chains of ASICs and new work doesn't need to be sent as often.

## Current Status
![bitaxeUltra running](doc/ultra_running.png)
- v1 hardware has been built, and it does mine! Quite well actually. Be sure to check the [issues](https://github.com/skot/bitaxe/issues) for known bugs, reworks and errata.
- Ultra 202 (v1.2) hardware has been verified and is working nicely!
- Ultra 203 (v1.3) hardware has not yet been verified.
- Be sure to check the [issues](https://github.com/skot/bitaxe/issues) for known bugs, reworks and errata.
- This is an _advanced_ build! It's also still early days, so prolly not the best thing if you're just looking for a bitcoin miner to run.

## Hardware
- [BM1366 from NBTC on AliExpress](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804709142138.html). I got the "AG" variant. Not really sure what the difference is.
- [40x40mm heatsink and 5V fan](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2251832861666365.html) from a random AliExpress seller. At least half of these arrived broken in some way. But they are cheap and the working ones do keep the BM1387's nice and cool when used with some thermal compound.
- Swap this fan with the [Noctua NF-A4x10](https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a4x10-pwm) 5V 4-Pin fan for a much more pleasant experience.
- Order PCBs from your favorite PCB shop, like [JLCPCB](https://jlcpcb.com), [SeeedStudio](https://www.seeedstudio.com/fusion_pcb.html), or [PCBWay](https://www.pcbway.com)
- Gerbers are in the `Manufacturing Files` dir. PCBs are 4-layer, 6mil trace/space and 0.3mm hole compatible.
- Make sure to order stencils too. These are the "paste" layers in the gerbers folder. one for top and one for bottom.
- All PCB parts except the ASIC are available from [DigiKey](https://www.digikey.com/en/products) and others. You can find Digikey part numbers on the DK tab of the BOM
- [BM1366 ASIC from NBTC on AliExpress](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804709142138.html). I got the "AG" variant. Not really sure what the difference is -- "AL" works also.
- [40x40mm heatsink and 5V fan](https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2251832861666365.html) from a random AliExpress seller. The fans are crap, but the heatsinks are good. **make sure** to use a good quality thermal compound between the heatsink and ASIC!
- Upgrade your fan with the [Noctua NF-A4x10](https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a4x10-pwm) 5V 4-Pin fan for a much more pleasant experience.
- Supports 0.91" SSD1306-based I2C OLED Module. [Example Amazon seller](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZY4YBHL)
- The BM1366 serial port is 1.8V. These pins are broken out, but the main idea is to communicate with the BM1366 from the ESP32
- Level shifters to interface the 1.8V BM1366 with the 3.3V ESP32. These pins are also broken out.
- [KiCad 7](https://www.kicad.org) design files
- All of the parts on the board are listed in the KiCad BOM

## Software
- The [ESP-Miner](https://github.com/skot/ESP-Miner) firmware used for the BM1397-based bitaxe has been adapted for the BM1366 and the current main branch can support both.
- There is still work to be done on reverse engineering the BM1366 register map. If you can help, get in touch!


## Power Supply Requirements
- [5VDC Power supply](https://www.amazon.com/BTF-LIGHTING-Plastic-Adapter-Transformer-WS2812B/dp/B01D8FM4N4). Should be capable of over 15W
- **DO NOT** use the BS barrel to screw terminal adapter that comes with some of these power supplies. They have horrible series resistance and your bitaxe will not be happy!
- Needs to connect with [spade-style connectors](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G4POUAU)
- The bitaxeUltra as of v1.1 is now powered by a 5.5x2.5mm, center-positive barrel jack!

### ESP32 Programming Requirements
**New** on the bitaxeUltra: it has a USB port for programming the ESP32!

To program the onboard ESP32 the old way, you need the following tools;

- [ESP-Prog](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/espressif-systems/ESP-PROG/10259352) ESP32 Programmer
- [TC2030-IDC-NL](https://www.tag-connect.com/product/tc2030-idc-nl) Tag Connect Cable
- [TC2030-CLIP](https://www.tag-connect.com/product/tc2030-retaining-clip-board-3-pack)
- This is best done with VSCode and the Espressif plugin
- As of the bitaxeUltra, all ESP32 programming is done through a USB-C cable and connector on the bitaxe. See [ESP-Miner](https://github.com/skot/ESP-Miner) for more details.

## Building
- Check out [building.md](building.md) for PCB ordering tips
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