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

[JCAS0058]

As a content creator, a full-sized high-speed SD Card reader will be a nice thing to have as a module.

[Fraoch]

Like this?

I found an SD card reader that fits

I want an SD Card module so I looked on amazon and found this which looked like it has a board close to the right size: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y5G8XSZ It appears to have gone out of stock in the last 3 days since I bought mine but maybe it will be back or available somewhere else (or someone can find an even better one). I pried the plastic off around the plug and the whole board just popped out of the case. I had to file maybe .8 mm off each side of the PCB but it fits in the …

[Sam_Rossiter]

Slightly niche but CANBUS would be cool for robotics work: CANable: USB to CAN Adapter – Openlight Labs

[Xavier_Jiang]

@Sam_Rossiter

CANBUS

I thought framework is making a microcontroller board with a few of these stuff broke out (I2C, for example. SPI too)

However, as I mentioned earlier, it’s probably more useful to make them to be available to other devices as well (not just framework).

Like the CSR Bluetooth thing

[Josh_Cook]

@Frosty

Very niche, but perhaps some “safety” USB-C and USB-A ports which are opto-isolated, to prevent sending 5V through data pins if accidentally [very] bad prototyping is done

I’ve actually completed a prototype, only issue that it works at low speed and can only provide 100mA. I should be able to solve the speed issue by modifying the pull up/down resistors.

[Josh_Cook]

[Josh_Cook]

@anon81945988

Ok Give me a clue, what is it

Read the post above.

@Josh_Cook

I’ve actually completed a prototype, only issue that it works at low speed and can only provide 100mA. I should be able to solve the speed issue by modifying the pull up/down resistors.

[Zoltan_Hoppar]

I think it would be awesome to see DIY stylus option in the framework, and such expansions that actually the old Amiga had as option. Eg. processor card with memory slot, or external GPU option via USB C but as docking option - being attachable on the bottom part of the laptop, cellular support via your own phone using as a module (eg. phone screen can be your touchpad/numpad extension and more). If you guys are doing smart way, you have to only design once the framework laptop, and the extensions/DIY kits will do the rest for you.

[Nicolas_Angelini]

I might have some input on the possible Hi-Fi Audio expansion card, through my own experience with audiophile equipment. Ideas on DAC chips and OP-AMPS.

[prepaidpyramid]

Any update on the Ethernet Expansion card?

[niwarren]

@prepaidpyramid

Any update on the Ethernet Expansion card?

Framework released one, it’s big so hangs out of the side of the laptop, but it does 2.5GbE as well as Gigabit.

[prepaidpyramid]

@niwarren

Framework released one, it’s big so hangs out of the side of the laptop, but it does 2.5GbE as well as Gigabit.

I was asking about updates to that one. When will it be in stock?

[prepaidpyramid]

I do know that, but I’m asking in case I missed some post about it.

[83z3]

A KVM Switch Expansion Card
Essentially allows a Framework laptop to function as ‘lapdock’.

Theoretically, the laptop could could cycle thru video and data connections of approximately 4-5 individual computers (Framework laptop, the other 3 expansion ports, a possible pass-through port on KVM card). Each expansion port could be connected to a different external PC, phone, server, or even another Framework device.

The Framework laptop’s keyboard/trackpad/speakers/monitor will become available to whatever external computer is currently selected using the KVM expansion card.

The outside of the card would feature 1-4 small buttons allowing the user to cycle thru:
a. the laptop’s internal mainboard.
b. the other 3 available expansion slots (each connected to an external computer).
c. maybe the card itself could also have an external USB-C pass-through port.

---

Other Features:

• The Framework’s battery can act as a battery bank to power any connected SFF computers (phone/SBC).
• Facilitates a LAN between all connected computers.
• Bonus: Synergy and ‘screen in screen’ functionality.

---

Note:
The expansion card would house the hardware/firmware needed to add this functionality.
Would a BIOS or mainboard change also be required? It would be great to use the Framework’s ‘peripherals’ even when the Framework’s computer is sleeping/suspended.

[Myles_Dear]

Mini PCIe LTE Expansion Card

I’m looking for a modem expansion card compatible with Bell Canada Ontario LTE Advanced frequencies to provide network redundancy to a Bitcoin/Lightning/Radix Validation node, I’m hoping to repurpose my Gen11 frame.work mobo for this purchase after I upgrade.

[Josh_Cook]

I need to do another production batch, so I have a couple of expansion cards that I can do. Note that the USB hub doesn’t exactly work the best as a data transfer hub but more for basic devices like a keyboard, mouse or phone. Do not ask me what this thing is, if you don’t know what it is you more than likely do not need it. I’m also going to be selling basic USB2.0 breakout boards that I already have stock of but just waiting for my reel of 5.1k ohm resistors. (posted in niche expansion cards thread aswell)

• USB-A 2.0 4 port hub
• Optoisolated USB-A
• Basic DB9 serial
• RS422 to DB9 connector
• RS485 to DB9
• RJ45 serial for networking gear

[Thomas_Brandt]

I’d like to see a security card. I’m thinking make it either two-fold or three-fold depending on space. First fold, laptop lock module. “But you can just pop out the Expansion Card” you say? Here’s the second fold: Encryption key. If the Card is removed, the laptop does one of a few things. Either it auto-boots into a decoy VM complete with fake files and software, while the actual instance sends all the info it can to your email or a phone app. The third fold would be a GPS chip so if the thief (low intelligence being correlated to criminal activity) defeats the cable lock and the expansion card goes with the laptop, you get a ping one of two ways: when the laptop is powered on, or constantly through powered-off USB power options that I thiiiink you can enable in Windows.

I’d also love to see a GPS theft-recovery Card, something that charges off the powered-off USB that I had to disable on my desktop to get my mouse to stop lighting up when I jiggle it. Not sure if this would work on a laptop, not sure if you could get adequate power delivery, and while it’d be REALLY cool to give it like a 4G connection so you could activate it and get its location regardless of if it’s powered up or not, that might not be realistic. Give it a dummy port like a MicroSD slot complete with a knockoff MicroSD logo. If it isn’t possible to get it to ping constantly, maybe do something where it pings when it’s turned on, and maaaybe even do the boot-into-decoy-VM trick I mentioned earlier.

I’d also like to see one of those wireless charging modules. Being able to stick a pad or five on my laptop stand and have it charge without plugging it in would be sweet.

[Jieren_Zheng]

@worksonmybox

I would very much be interested in a KVM module. Something that might work similar to the module in the GPD Pocket 3 (GPD Pocket 3 - Shenzhen GPD Technology Co., Ltd. ). For example, you can connect the outputs of a machine to the GPD Pocket, and use the GPD Pocket as the keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. This would be incredibly useful in the IT world - I almost bought a GPD Pocket specifically for this feature.

@83z3

A KVM Switch Expansion Card
Essentially allows a Framework laptop to function as ‘lapdock’.

Theoretically, the laptop could could cycle thru video and data connections of approximately 4-5 individual computers (Framework laptop, the other 3 expansion ports, a possible pass-through port on KVM card). Each expansion port could be connected to a different external PC, phone, server, or even another Framework device.

The Framework laptop’s keyboard/trackpad/speakers/monitor will become available to whatever external computer is currently selected using the KVM expansion card.

The outside of the card would feature 1-4 small buttons allowing the user to cycle thru:
a. the laptop’s internal mainboard.
b. the other 3 available expansion slots (each connected to an external computer).
c. maybe the card itself could also have an external USB-C pass-through port.

Other Features:

• The Framework’s battery can act as a battery bank to power any connected SFF computers (phone/SBC).
• Facilitates a LAN between all connected computers.
• Bonus: Synergy and ‘screen in screen’ functionality.

I would like to second this. There are some hardware that would be great to plug into the Framework and the Framework acts as a screen+speaker+keyboard+trackpad.

[Jake_Richter]

Hmmm.

Given how powerful Thunderbolt is, would it make sense to have an external KVM box, with all the requisite connectors, and then have a short cable to an expansion card?

Have the expansion card make the laptop the I/O for the user, but put the real intelligence (switching via a signal from the laptop, protocol shifting, resolution… resolution ) in the box.

Then you’re not limited by bays for client count, or connector type, or… power, I think?

Just some random thoughts. I like the idea of using the Framework in a KVM setup.

[Jieren_Zheng]

@Jake_Richter

Given how powerful Thunderbolt is, would it make sense to have an external KVM box, with all the requisite connectors, and then have a short cable to an expansion card?

At least for me, I would like to maintain portability while doing it, the system could be in another room so I would like if I can walk to it and plug into my Framework, once I am done, I can walk over to another room with another system. Carrying around an external KVM box would be kinda annoying.

Kinda like the GPD Pocket 3 mentioned above (GPD Pocket 3 - Shenzhen GPD Technology Co., Ltd.).

That being said, I wonder how much would it cost to make one with PCB design and 3D printing an expansion card. I suspect the Framework BIOS requires some modification as well.