How to Build an Embedded

Asterisk IP-PBX
 Topics
• IP-PBX and Asterisk
• Why Embedded?
• IP PBX Hardware 101
• Free Telephony Project and Open Hardware
• Status
• The Future
• Opportunities
 IP-PBX and Asterisk
• A open source PABX (PBX) that can route
calls between the PSTN and VOIP
• Usual FOSS advantages – low cost and open
• VOIP experiencing massive growth
• Primary sponser Digium but many
contributors
• Hence alternatives such as FreeSwitch,
CallWeaver, etc, etc
 Introduction
• Typical installation x86 PC plus PCI card to
connect to the telephone lines/telephones.
• Paradigm shift away from x86/PCI cards
• History: Embedded = IP-only and no DSP
(Echo cancellation and codecs not possible)
• Analog Devices Blackfin Processor has
challenged this paradigm!
 Why Embedded
• Small size (DSL router)
• Low power < 5W (battery, solar)!
• No moving parts (fans or disks)
• Quiet
• Reliability (parts count, connectors)
• Low cost (a few hundred $ street)
• Just plain cool!
 Blackfin Processor
• A powerful DSP (1 GMAC)
• AND runs uClinux
• Breaks the two processor (host/DSP)
paradigm
• Low cost ($5 - $15 each)
• Well supported by vendor and community
• Open hardware and software
 IP-PBX Hardware 101

Host PC PCI Card

Device PCI FXO

Asterisk
Driver Bridge Port

Ethernet DSP
x86 CPU FXS Port
Card hardware
IP-PBX Hardware 101

Embedded PBX

Blackfin FXO
Asterisk
CPU Port

DSP Device
FXS Port
software Driver
 IP-PBX Hardware 101
• Many redundant parts removed
Lower cost
Smaller size
Lower power
Enhanced reliability
• Don’t need “hardware” DSP – Blackfin
CPU is a DSP
 Challenges
• Complex development environment
– Cross compiler & tool-chain
– Customized kernel and apps
• Learning Curve
• Low memory ~64MB
• uClinux (offset by partial MMU)
• Care and feeding of the cache
 Who is working on Blackfin
Asterisk?
• Several individuals and companies working
on Blackfin Telephony products.
• Expect to see many embedded Telephony
products in the near future
• This presentation focuses on the activities
of the Free Telephony Project
 Free Telephony Project Goals
• Build a completely open embedded
telephony platform.
• Hardware designs are open.
• Full design and manufacture information
available for download.
Schematics, PCB layouts, HDL code, unit tests
 Motivation
• Various motivations across the people and
companies involved in the project.
• Obvious business potential in a $200 IP-
PBX with multiple ports.
• Enabler for service models.
• My motivation is Social & Geeky rather
than Business.
 Motivation
• I like building stuff
• Would like to use my hardware/DSP skills
to improve the world a little
• Open software like Linux and Asterisk has
been a great thing for the World.
• Craig Newmark (Craigslist) : Nerd values
“Get yourself comfortable, then do
something fun to change the world a little”
 Open Hardware
• The designs are free as in speech
• A community exists that are sharing designs
and helping each other.
• Build better hardware faster using open
development models.
• Opportunities for small business.
• It’s working!
 Hardware Projects (so far)
• BlackfinOne DSP Motherboard (mature)
• 4-8 port FXO/FXS Analog (mature)
• E1/T1(prototype hardware and driver)
• BRI-ISDN (stalled)
• IP04 $100 IP-PBX (mature)
 How to Hack Telephony
Hardware in Linux

• Schematic Entry (gschem)

• PCB Design (PCB)
• Verilog HDL (Icarus)
 Design Process Flow
Design
Write Verilog
Schematics
Code (Icarus)
(gschem)

Assemble
Design PCBs Debug and
Prototype
(PCB) Test Hardware
Hardware

Port Asterisk
Integrate and
to Blackfin
Test system
(gcc)
gschem Schematic Entry
Analog Hardware Example
 Hardware Hacking is Getting
Easier!!
• Build sophisticated surface mount circuits.
• Order strange parts on-line e.g. Digikey
• Prototype PCB costs dropping
• Stereo Microscope + soldering tools < $500
• Open hardware designs
• Free CAD tools
• Help from on-line communities
 Status Develop DSP
Motherboard
Sep 2005 Sep 2006 Jan 2007
Port Asterisk Develop Analog IP04
to Blackfin Hardware Prototypes
May 2007
Port driver to Production
Blackfin Engineering

Volume
Manufacture
Q3 2007
 Performance
• 500 MIPs Available (1 GMACs)
G729A (8 MIPs)
Speex (15-30 MIPs)
• Simultaneous SIP Calls (approx 50)
• Echo Can
Depends on tail
12-24 ports depending on tail
 Opportunities
• Business
• Individuals
• End Users
 Opportunities for Business
• Massive Differentiation
• Cost/Margin advantages
• New products we haven’t even thought of:
Asterisk ATA or fax
Asterisk in an very smart IP-phone
T1 IP-PBX in an ATA form factor for $200
?
 Opportunities for Individuals
• It’s open. All of it. Hardware and software.
Even the CAD tools!
• Exciting project in early stages
• Chance to really contribute
• It’s very different from x86/PCI
• Helped needed: Hardware, software,
Asterisk config
 Opportunities for End Users
• Lower end user cost – a $300 (street) 4-port
IP-PBX in 2008?
• IP-PBX functionality in the home rather
than current ATA.
• Bring telephony to developing countries.
• Small, fan-less lets you reach markets like
SOHO that don’t want a PC for their phone
system.
 Getting Started
• Buy a Blackfin STAMP Card ($226)
• Buy a 2 FXO 2 FXS port Analog Starter Kit
($299)
• Start Hacking
 Questions?

For more information

http://rowetel.com/ucasterisk
geda.seul.org
blackfin.uclinux.org