FW16 Electrical Specifications (MB/DB Pinout Clarification)

[MJ1]

@BTek

I believe you are correct, but this is the case for VSYS_GPU whereas VADP_GPU, which are the pins I would expect to be using are I/O. Unless I’m looking at outdated information of course.

I’m sorry, I’m not sure I’m following you.
From what I understand VSYS_GPU is the path for power going from the laptop to the Bay, and VADP_GPU is the path for power from the Bay going to the laptop.
See here for a power block diagram that includes VSYS_GPU, VADP_GPU and a eGPU or a battery in the Bay:

Expansion Bay Developer Program

The power block diagram looks like this: [image] LM5143 supports a wide input range and ISL9241 is a buck/boost that can output the end 19V rail. As you noted, one tricky thing on this is that the Expansion Bay Module would need to communicate with the rest of the PD controllers through the EC to ensure that only one power source is enabled at a time. That is something we haven’t defined yet.

Nrp's image (click to show)

@BTek

by JointTechElec called “Wire-To-Board-Wire-To-Wire-Connector_HR-Joint-Tech-Elec-A1024WRA-S-04PNLNT1T00R_C462083”

I will dig around with this brands other offerings to see if I can find a better match, this one doesn’t look quite right.

Hmm, yeah that A1024WRA-S-04PNLNT1T00R definitely can’t be it. Since the pictures of the board and the fan cable just show a 4 pin FFC connector. If you wanted to, you should be able to figure out if it’s 0.5mm pitch or 1mm pitch by using other components as reference. Very likely to be one of those.

Pictures (click to show)

As long as it’s for a non- notched cable (as the fan does show) FFC connectors seem to be pretty standard. For random projects, when I didn’t want to pay for shipping from a proper supplier, I’d just order whatever random one I need from ebay or aliexpress. Just searching for example, 1.0mm pitch 4p FFC connector.

@BTek

Looking at the code here on github : EmbeddedController/baseboard/fwk at fwk-hx20-hx30-4410 · FrameworkComputer/EmbeddedController · GitHub

I can see that there is a whole class dedicated to battery but I’m a bit concerned this isn’t for the FW16, as the battery models are ADL-55W and RPL-61W which would seem to line up with the Framework 13 battery sizes of 55wh and 61wh respectively. Makes me a bit concerned I’m not looking at the right branch or area.

Oh yeah, that wouldn’t be FWL16, as hx20 and hx30 are the board names / codenames for the intel 11th & 12th gen respectively. Lotus is the AMD FWL16.

This confirms Lotus is the AMD FWL16: Open source EC for AMD based 13/16.

I saw someone give a nice list of all the FWL13 names once. I failed to note them down, but think I found it here: How to configure the F9 Fn (display switch) key? - #3 by vriska.

So, Embedded controller firmware

Laptop Generation	Board Name
Intel 11th Gen · Framework Laptop 13	hx20
Intel 12th Gen · Framework Laptop 13	hx30
AMD 7040 Series · Framework Laptop 13	Azalea
Intel Ultra Series 1 · Framework Laptop 13	Marigold
AMD 7040 Series · Framework Laptop 16	Lotus

@BTek

Finally while looking at more official FW documents I came across the note below about a custom standoff being a requirement for the interposer connection:

I don’t know if that’s a hard requirement. Like, if you’re just making prototypes or a few boards for yourself & perhaps a few others. You just need a nut that fits the interposer screws. The FW custom standoff is presuming you want / need it to be a proper PCB mounted nut which can be inserted in mass productions runs. You may be able to just glue an embedded insert to the PCB (such as is used for embedding into plastic parts).