Which m.2 variants for manufacturing?

[magic-blue-smoke]

This issue is to separate desktop PCIe here /issues/4 and m.2 variants

Dual Edge TPU to m.2 adapter is possible in following configurations:

• m.2 A+E key 2242. This form-factor is non-standard (standard is 2230 for A/E keys) - you need to check clearance for longer card
• m.2 B+M key 2242, 2260 and 2280.

Putting all of those into production is not easy, please let me know:

• which key and form factor you'd prefer
• quantity

[krim404]

i think the 2280 and the native x1 pcie version are the most favorable in this case. i dont see any market for a 2242 A+E card. i think a 2230 a+e with a riser would be more practicable.

[magic-blue-smoke]

@wmchris now I have the same feeling, but before that I was thinking Coral Dual TPU B+M adapter should be most popular for Rock Pi's and other SBC with m.2 B key slot. I was wrong: most adapters went to PCIe slot with another COTS NVMe-to-PCIe adapter. Will see how it goes :)
Surely m.2 2280 B+M version seems not only more favorable, but also less constrained to manufacture

[krim404]

I was wrong: most adapters went to PCIe slot with another COTS NVMe-to-PCIe adapter. Will see how it goes :)

well the reason is, that the native nvme slot supplies 4 pcie lanes, while your adapter shrink it to 1 pcie lane.
in my case the pcie x1 slot on the mainboard is unused, as on most builds, while the nvme slots are occupied in the most cases

[jeramiapoland]

I'm interested in a m.2 A+E key adapter at either length.

EDIT: I was wrong. Everybody else was right. The B+M will be more useful. I'm looking for a PCIe and B+M adapters.

[magic-blue-smoke]

m.2 B+M 2280 hand soldered prototype:

[Teme-V]

I'm interested of B+M key adapter.
Hope can get dual TPU recognized with this in HP elitedesk as with onboard NIC m.2 e-key it didn't work - not even recognized
Edit: HP informed m.2 E-key 2280 slot work only with selected wlan cards

[ShadowKitty42]

I'm interested in B+M key, 2280.

[KingKoro]

I'm also interested in B+M Key Variant.
I have a NanoPi M4v2 that has a daughter board for NVMe B+M Key with PCIe 2.1 x2 Lanes.
Does somebody know if there's a cheap e-key to b+m-key adapter that routes both pcie lanes through for dual edge tpu without any switch IC? Would it be difficult to design a simple passive adapter myself that routes both lanes?

Board: https://www.friendlyarm.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=268
NVMe Adapter: https://www.friendlyarm.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=262

[krim404]

Does somebody know if there's a cheap e-key to b+m-key adapter that routes both pcie lanes through for dual edge tpu without any switch IC? Would it be difficult to design a simple passive adapter myself that routes both lanes?

you cant simply create a passive adapter, as a general m-keyed m2 has only one pcie bus. coral requires 2.

[magic-blue-smoke]

I'm also interested in B+M Key Variant. I have a NanoPi M4v2 that has a daughter board for NVMe B+M Key with PCIe 2.1 x2 Lanes. Does somebody know if there's a cheap e-key to b+m-key adapter that routes both pcie lanes through for dual edge tpu without any switch IC? Would it be difficult to design a simple passive adapter myself that routes both lanes?

Board: https://www.friendlyarm.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=268 NVMe Adapter: https://www.friendlyarm.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=262

@KingKoro you can design semi-passive adapter only if SoC supports PCIe bifurcation, ie PCIe x2 has to be split into 2xPCIe x1 in hardware. Contact manufacturer to see if it’s possible.
Another issue is that there is only one clock line, while Dual Edge TPU requires two and you’d need clock fanout driver IC, that’s why it’s “semi-passive”

[singsonn]

Hello, I'm also interested in B+M key (2280).

[KingKoro]

@KingKoro you can design semi-passive adapter only if SoC supports PCIe bifurcation, ie PCIe x2 has to be split into 2xPCIe x1 in hardware. Contact manufacturer to see if it’s possible. Another issue is that there is only one clock line, while Dual Edge TPU requires two and you’d need clock fanout driver IC, that’s why it’s “semi-passive”

Thanks for the information, i didn't know that. According to another thread the RK3399 doesn't support PCIe bifurcation so that option is off the table for me then.
Still great work you're doing here, looking forward to the B+M Key Adapter becoming a real product.

[stormeporm]

I'm interested in B+M key, 2280 And a pcie 1x card.

[SimoSera]

I'm interested in B+M key (2280)

[jon-chen]

Interested in the B+M key, 2280. Thanks!

[cdrose]

If the B+M key 2280 adapter does indeed work with a PCIe to 4 x M.2 adapter (with a suitable CPU and motherboard that support bifurcation), then this seems like a perfect solution for me. 8 x Coral TPUs at a fraction of the cost of the Asus CRL-G18U-P3D would be ideal for my application. I know you have said the 1 x PCIe adapter is the first to go to production, any ideas when the B+M 2280 might be available?

[magic-blue-smoke]

If the B+M key 2280 adapter does indeed work with a PCIe to 4 x M.2 adapter (with a suitable CPU and motherboard that support bifurcation), then this seems like a perfect solution for me. 8 x Coral TPUs at a fraction of the cost of the Asus CRL-G18U-P3D would be ideal for my application. I know you have said the 1 x PCIe adapter is the first to go to production, any ideas when the B+M 2280 might be available?

@cdrose adapter shown here has tiny mistake that does not affect anything, but confuses when you know where to look at. I’d fix it and run small production run with availability around Christmas.

[m3e-g]

Hi!
I'm also interested in the B+M key (2280)

[maeneak]

B+M key (2280) please

[cdrose]

I would be keen to trial parts before Christmas, can you send me an email if you'd be open to discuss options for pushing things through a bit quicker.

[Mattias314]

I'd be interested a B+M key as well!

[stormeporm]

I would be keen to trial parts too, I have two coral M.2 Accelerator with Dual Edge TPU boards I could run tests with

[nborbit]

I am interested in B+M key (2280)

[thegirlg33k]

I am interested in at least two B+M keys (2280).

[bipple294]

I am interested in two B+M key 2280s.

[aaron2198]

I, as well as some friends that i'll get to post here, are also interested in some of these B+M key 2280's. +2 at least.

[yanfali]

Interested in 1-2, B+M 2280 for a Mini PC, Odyssey X86 Blue J4125, specifically to run frigate nvr

[AlessandroAU]

I am also interested in one of these B+M 2280

[SomeComputerGuy]

I'm interested in 4 of these B+M 2280 boards. Thank you!

[magic-blue-smoke]

Is there a plan with AE active switching adapter?

Hi @marcus905
Due to low demand I don't have it in manufacturing plan. Also, AE key adapters are mostly demanded to be used with Jetson Nano. I have Jetson Nano with dev board lying around and clearance between them is not sufficient to fit adapter with Coral TPU Card. If adapter would use lower profile m.2 connector it might fit, however there will be no space left for TPU heat sink. A better option here would be to have another Jetson Nano carrier board designed.

[vilozone]

Any plan when will B+M adapters back in stock?

[magic-blue-smoke]

Any plan when will B+M adapters back in stock?

Hi @vilozone

Production of B+M adapters already started and they should be restocked in ~2-3 weeks

[igor-oxos]

Any plan when will B+M adapters back in stock?

Hi @vilozone

Production of B+M adapters already started and they should be restocked in ~2-3 weeks

Hi, do you have any updates on availability of the m.2 adapters?

[magic-blue-smoke]

@igor-oxos hi, there's obvious delay due to test jig update and I'll have something more to say this Friday

[magic-blue-smoke]

@igor-oxos m.2 B+M adapters are available for purchase now

[akwan]

Interested in an E-key variant. Folks purchasing tiny 1L PCs (dell optiplex, hp elitedesk, lenovo tiny, etc) all tend to come with an E-key slot for wifi. I've been able to put a 2230 SSD in one with an adapter and use it as a 1x storage device (not boot drive) - being able to leverage this slot would be great so I can have the m.2 b+m slots operate as storage instead.

[jayanty]

Chiming in to confirm the interest in an E-key variant.

…

On Mon, Jun 19, 2023 at 12:36 PM Alan Kwan ***@***.***> wrote: Interested in an E-key variant. Folks purchasing tiny 1L PCs (dell optiplex, hp elitedesk, lenovo tiny, etc) all tend to come with an E-key slot for wifi. I've been able to put a 2230 SSD in one with an adapter and use it as a 1x storage device (not boot drive) - being able to leverage this slot would be great so I can have the m.2 b+m slots operate as storage instead. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#5 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABE2UOUMPM7EVNBISI2R4DLXMCS4XANCNFSM5CSJ7XFA> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.*** com>

[radhakrisri]

Interested in the E-Key variant as well! I have a Beelink Mini PC - https://a.co/d/2CJw1HM - which has a WiFi/ BT module on a m.2 slot.

[cmsj]

As a happy owner of the B+M, I would now definitely be interested in the A+E variant. Given how powerful Mini PCs have gotten, I think quite a lot of people are starting to use them for home servers. In my case I'm moving all of my Home Assistant and Frigate/Scrypted stuff to one, and they typically have an A+E slot which has lots of space around it, so the slightly longer form factor of an adapter would fit perfectly.

[grostim]

Interested in a m.2 A+E key 2242.
My motherboard (Asus Prime Z490P) has only 1 PCIE bus routed to its m.2 "wifi" port.

The m2 A port is a 2230, but there is plenty of extra room for a 2242. the only issue might be the screw hole located specifically for 2230, but i guess this is something that can be accomodated with some duck tape :) .

[FranckG1981]

Hi,
Interested in an A+E-key variant for a dell optiplex with an A+E-key slot for wifi.
Thanks for your work !

[cmsj]

@magic-blue-smoke As we're ~2.5 years on from the first asking of this question, are you still looking for feedback on the other versions? I think there are a few of us who are keen to know if an A+E variant is possible :)

[emiroglu]

A+E seems interesting to me, too

[Y2Kmeltdown]

Kind Regards, Damien.

…

________________________________ From: Altug Emiroglu ***@***.***> Sent: Tuesday, March 12, 2024 8:59:14 AM To: magic-blue-smoke/Dual-Edge-TPU-Adapter ***@***.***> Cc: Subscribed ***@***.***> Subject: Re: [magic-blue-smoke/Dual-Edge-TPU-Adapter] Which m.2 variants for manufacturing? (#5) A+E seems interesting to me, too — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub<#5 (comment)>, or unsubscribe<https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AKW2N5BMTY6NXNMSQTPH53DYXYSLFAVCNFSM5CSJ7XFKU5DIOJSWCZC7NNSXTN2JONZXKZKDN5WW2ZLOOQ5TCOJYHE2TCOBVGI2A>. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[emiroglu]

What about a B+M version in 2242 or 2230 size? It would probably increase the compatibility with many systems

[Szewcson]

Interested in A+E. I want to use it in my HP t730 thin client. Clearance is not a problem, but if it can be screwed somehow to original mount hole it wille be great.

It looks like there is growing interest in A+E adapter since many people start to use thin clients for Home Asistant and they want to add frigate with coral to this devices.

[magic-blue-smoke]

@emiroglu @Szewcson keeping 2230 footprint would require having stack of three boards: main board with PCIe switch, m.2 connector board and TPU card itself. If this sounds fine in terms of overall height, I can try to see how it works

[emiroglu]

@magic-blue-smoke and would that be an A+E or B+M Key? Would that also work with a Raspberry Pi 5?

In my case either of the 2242 or 2230 sizes would be fine for a B+M Key. A+E in 2230 format would also work. Height is not a problem. 2280 is just too long to fit on all the boards.

[emiroglu]

@magic-blue-smoke do you not produce this one any more?

https://github.com/magic-blue-smoke/Dual-Edge-TPU-Adapter/raw/main/TPU_adapter.jpeg

[Szewcson]

@emiroglu @Szewcson keeping 2230 footprint would require having stack of three boards: main board with PCIe switch, m.2 connector board and TPU card itself. If this sounds fine in terms of overall height, I can try to see how it works

It's fine (everything that can be mounted instead of 2230 wifi card is ok for me, there us some space in all dimensions since it is quite large thin client - https://images.app.goo.gl/U42AvYZ3hdg3UDK56) but isn't it possible to use taller connector and two screws?

[Szewcson]

Or are you thinking about such mounting board: https://www.amazon.com/MECCANIXITY-Adapter-Multipurpose-Extension-Computer/dp/B0CM29MS1R

It is also fully acceptable by me, but if such a board will be included in a kit, it will be the best option.

[Rapirys]

Has anyone been able to launch Dual Coral with Raspberry Pi 5? From what I understand, we need an active switching adapter to do it.

[Roving-Ronin]

@magic-blue-smoke also interested in the 'm.2 A+E key 2242' to allow fitting Dual Edge TPU module into Lenovo M710q WiFi M.2 slot and have both TPU work (instead of only 1).

[antmanpl]

@magic-blue-smoke

I'm interested in m.2 A+E adapter. I need 2 pcs. I would like both TPUs to work on my N100 mini pc and T530 terminal
Are there any plans to manufacture this adapter in coming months?

[GHFernando]

Hi @magic-blue-smoke

I hope you are having a great day.
Im interested in m.2 A+E adapter, are there plan to release it?

Thank you so much!

[GHFernando]

Hi again @magic-blue-smoke

Im not sure in what phase is this project but i found this articles with information for the m.2 A+E adapter.

I hope this can help to make it possible.

https://hackaday.com/2023/07/20/pcie-for-hackers-an-m-2-card-journey/

https://hackaday.com/2023/07/25/pcie-for-hackers-our-m-2-card-is-done/

Thanks again!

[alanoo81]

Hi,

Also interested with an A+E version.
I use USFF hardware as proxmox servers (Dell, the almighty Lenovo M720Q or now an even more compact Asus PN50). All come with useless "Wifi" spec m2 port and only using on TPU right now.

[apple-fritter]

Off topic?

I would be interested in a x4 M.2 M-Key adapter to 2x Dual TPU, should anyone want to design and produce one.

[rk-nova]

Also interested in the A+E version (for use on a UGREEN DXP480T). Not actually sure how many lanes its e-slot has, but the slot is so low profile that the daul edge will not fit (can't lay flat as the chip on the back of the board hits motherboard). Hoping an adapter would be 1-sided to solve that AND allow for both chips to work.