What new Expansion Card types do you want to see released?

That QT connector I’m building into my Swiss army knife expansion card for UART, TTL.

  • USB A adapter with a space inside to handle the Logitech USB adapter or other mouse/keyboard adapters to hide them.
  • Hi-Fi DAC Module with Audio Output
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Seriously people, I do love the suggestions but please keep this in the megathread. Many of these have already been posted by previous users, and keeping the suggestions in the same place makes it easier for community makers to peruse your ideas :slight_smile:

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I know it probably breaks the design philosophy, but how about a dongle like module? Most of the electronics inside, but then cords coming out so multiple things can be plugged in?

Other (possibly dumb) ideas:

Storage with a Male USB A module: To make transferring data between the framework and a computer without a type c port easy.

Male USB C: For charging your phone without carrying a cable.

Software key: basically pull it out to remove access to certain files / programs, if you want to let someone use your laptop.

Screwdriver: In case you need to repair your framework on the go.

Storage with a Male USB A module

That is a great idea! Even cooler if the USB-A plug can retract into the module so that it’s out of the way in normal use. Then when you need to transfer data, just pop it out, extend the USB-A port, and transfer files.

Another solution that would work for this would be to have a micro type-B connector on the outer edge, so you can still connect it to another device, but with a patch cord. That might be easier to fit into the expansion card dimensions, and it gives the user the ability to choose the right kind of cable – micro to full size A, or micro to C, etc.

If you go with “High Fidelity Audio Output,” please go all the way and make it a full-fledged ASIO compatible interface, with dedicated mic input and such. We music, audio, and video people would LOVE that, especially since Windows audio drivers for music production tend to suck. ASIO4ALL has always been an imperfect solution that’s hit or miss.

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A micro usb female expansion card will be released soon, it will include a male to male adapter so if you would like to charge your old phone or need to charge one of your DIY projects that use micro USB you can easily charge it!

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FM-Receiver with a new audio in-/ouput.
It would be amazing to have a FM-Receiver in there as well (using a headphone cable as antenna). Maybe it can even be combined with a high fidelity audio interface?

As of now, I either need to have a good internet connection, or use the very crappy audio from my phone if I don’t want to carry something extra to listen to radio. So this would be a huge plus!

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I would not want to do anything radio frequency’s as it may mess up the laptop with interference and also some countries ban DIY radio receivers and transmitters.

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I really want more ports, single module with both a USb c port that could be used for charging, and a USb a. I don’t care if the USB c port loses thunderbolt functionality in this module.

I would like an expansion card that has a downward-facing USB type c port. That way I can hide the charge and docking cable below the laptop for a cleaner desk look. I’ll have to drill a hole in the desk, but that’s ok.

I just don’t want to have to use a cable like this:

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@Shawn_Lewis Hey, Now I’m seeing something very cool ideas around framework expansion cards. This is great.

@Shawn_Lewis Good idea, I will start developing it as should be easy, apart from the 3d modelling and finding a receptacle that could work in that application.

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@Josh_Cook
My phone works just fine as an FM Receiver, without any interference issues. I can’t see how it should be a problem in a laptop? I’m talking only about a receiver, not transmitter. But maybe I am missing something?
I imagine the legal situation should be fine, if its just a receiver. And as soon as it is sold via the marketplace, it hardly counts as DIY anymore.

Would love to see USB-A and USB-C on a single expansion card, even at the cost of losing DisplayPort Alt Mode and charging capabilities on that single card (I just hope that USB transfer speeds won’t get hit too hard).

That way I can have one USB-C for charging, USB A & C for general use, and both HDMI and DisplayPort. I would love that

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A good quality RS-232 serial port would be awesome in my book (not sure if that falls under “microcontroller” in the poll?) Ethernet is a must, too (and multi-gig 2.5/5G Ethernet would be even cooler!)

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@dogcow Already being worked on! Currently for router management but can be made for standard RS-232 use.

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@Shawn_Lewis Interesting idea. I wonder if magnetic resonance charging or inductive charging coils could be installed internally (assuming the metal chassis isn’t interfering) no holes in the desk required.

Totally dumb but I have Gameboy link ports from other projects and was curious if they would fit. Nope not even close.


Even without the pcb the port itself is bigger than the cards.


If you did a gold finger pcb the plug would work…so that’s an option.

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Ok, I’ll bite, where did you find that cable and what do they call it.