view README @ 42:ef5376a04b8c

README: project status update
author Mychaela Falconia <falcon@freecalypso.org>
date Wed, 17 May 2017 06:38:58 +0000
parents 51e1a3b213a3
children 3ba0351942e1
line wrap: on
line source

You are looking at the source tree for FreeCalypso Citrine, which is one of the
several Calypso GSM firmware offerings developed under the FreeCalypso umbrella.
The key distinguishing features of FC Citrine are:

* The firmware is built from full source, no blobs;
* The compiler used to build the fw is gcc (free software) instead of TI's
  proprietary compiler;
* The way in which the firmware is put together is "from the bottom up".

Our Citrine firmware can be built for the following targets:

  FreeCalypso FCDEV3B
  Mot C11x/12x
  Mot C139/140
  Mot C155/156
  Openmoko GTA01/02
  Pirelli DP-L10

However, only minimal functionality is implemented so far: whichever target
device you are using, it can only function as an AT-command-controlled voice+SMS
pseudo-modem; because there is no UI code integrated yet, the LCD stays dark
and the buttons do nothing on those target devices that have such hardware.
No CSD, fax or GPRS support has been integrated yet either, and in general this
Citrine firmware does NOT exhibit the level of functionality and stability
offered by our production quality Magnetite fw.

Please refer to the write-ups in the doc directory for instructions on how to
compile and play with this firmware.

Citrine vs. Magnetite
=====================

The following table lists the major differences between our two current
FreeCalypso firmware offerings:

Feature				Citrine			Magnetite

Support for Mot/Compal		All 3 subfamilies:	C139/140 only
targets				C11x/12x, C139/140,
				C155/156

Source/blob status		Full source		Still has some blobs

Compiler toolchain		gcc			TI's proprietary

GSM MS functionality		Voice and SMS only	Voice, SMS, CSD, fax
							and GPRS

Overall functionality		Experimental		Production
and quality

The current main focus in the FreeCalypso family of projects is on producing
new Calypso-based GSM+GPRS modem products of full commercial quality and
functionality, hence our primary firmware focus is currently on Magnetite.

Citrine firmware is not currently receiving active new development, but it is
maintained primarily for the purpose of winning users over from OsmocomBB: the
limited GSM MS functionality (voice and SMS only) matches our competitor's
offering, the blob-free status and the use of gcc are expected to be in line
with the interests of that user population, and all 3 Mot C1xx subfamilies are
supported.