Hi Guys, I am in the process of developing a Linux based unit along the lines of a wireless router but with added features. It has to support USB. The target first run production number is 1000 units but full production should be in the 10's of thousands. I want the production cost to be at most 50 Euro to allow a sale price of < 100 Euro.
I have been developing the code on a Ubuntu based machine and have ordered the FOX board recently as an example micro target. I had looked at various units that open wrt would work on (routers etc) but I did not want the hassle. That might come later. The thing is, I have received info from AXIS that the price for chips alone for the number of units I mentioned above is c. 45 Euro (the MCM unit). So I am wondering how the d-links or netgears of the world , or for that matter fon <http://www.fon.com> or Meraki <http://www.Meraki.net> can build units for what I have heard is around 50 Euro. Is there a good design shop, or a vendor that you have dealt with that can give me some advice on the best targets. Is AXIS a suitable platform? or is Atheros a better one. Are there other dev boards that might be useful. Based on the openwrt hardware <http://wiki.openwrt.org/TableOfHardware> list , AXIS is not in any production routers etc, but is used in cameras etc. Most devices seem to use Broadcom , TI or Atheros chips. Could the guys in ACME help? Any suggestions? Diarmuid [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
