limor and i can’t purchase teensys from sparkfun anymore, they now decide who can buy, using a secret set of rules. since sparkfun is now the exclusive maker and seller of teensy, and paul and robin apparently have no say, limor and i were informed we’re not allowed to purchase.
instead of being sad about it, we’re doing the obvious thing. we’re making an open-source, teensy-compatible board.
we also just had our second kid a few weeks ago, so the timing is not great. that’s fine. last night, after a cluster breastfeeding session (parents know exactly what that means), limor and i started this project. “freensy” is the working name. it is not the final name. maybe.
features
open source. anyone can purchase it and or manufacture it
lower cost: $9.95
core
rp2350 32-bit cortex m33 dual core
150 mhz at 3.3v logic and power
overclocking:
300 mhz often achievable with a small voltage bump, vreg to ~1.20v or 1.25v
350 mhz and up requires max safe internal voltage around 1.30v to 1.35v plus some silicon lottery luck
memory and storage
520 kb ram + 8 kb otp memory
8 mb spi flash for files and circuitpython or micropython storage
no eeprom
appears as a usb mass-storage device on your computer
usb and power
usb host on any two pins
modern usb-c device
built-in lipo charging with optional jst connector footprint (or use the vbat pin)
600ma peak 3.3v regulator
4 layer board with inner ground and 3v planes
io and debug
stemma qt i2c port for hundreds of sensors, oleds, breakouts, etc
swd debug footprint on the bottom
indicators
onboard neopixel
red status led
software
open source, non-proprietary bootloader
supports arduino, micropython, circuitpython, pico sdk, go, rust
mechanical
color: red
optional enclosure
full enclosure design published as free open source so anyone can make or modify it
things we’re thinking about
should we add an optional footprint for 2 mb or 8 mb psram?
also, we’ll be doing an esp32 p4 version.
nothing says “new baby energy” like starting a new board at 3am and making sure no single company gets to decide who is allowed to build.
