KrustyPlanet/cyberdeck
6
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull requests Projects Releases Packages Wiki Activity Actions
cyberdeck/docs/design-decisions.md
BarnacleBoy e53c928e44 document display architecture research and settled design decisions 
- eDP direct connection ruled out: undocumented pinouts, voltage mismatch risk,
  community consensus favors controller boards
- MIPI DSI ruled out: 2-lane 15-pin, can't dual-display with HDMI on Linux,
  and the salvaged panel is eDP
- Chosen path: HDMI -> eDP-to-HDMI controller board -> salvaged panel
- Mechanical HDMI A/B switch retained as fallback for external display
2026-05-27 01:12:00 +00:00

4.1 KiB
Raw Blame History

Design Decisions

Build Approach

Wooden case with salvaged laptop lid (screen + hinge) as the canopy. Approximate briefcase dimensions, with the display panel setting minimum width and depth.

Salvage Exclusions

  • Webcam: Scrapped. Proprietary pinout, not worth reverse engineering.
  • Keyboard/trackpad: Proprietary connectors, not reusable.
  • RAM: DDR3L soldered, wrong generation.
  • SSD: Owner repurposed.
  • WiFi card: Intel 7265NGW — OPi3B has built-in WiFi+BT, no external card needed.

Case Orientation & Nomenclature

User sits at the stern, facing the bow. Hinge axis runs port-to-starboard along the bow edge.

Base (wooden enclosure)

Term Surface Notes
Deck Top Keyboard, controls, SBC access
Keel Bottom Sits on table
Bow Back edge (spine side) Power input, heat exhaust, farthest from user
Stern Front edge (lip side) User-facing, keyboard near here
Port Left (facing bow)
Starboard Right (facing bow)

Canopy (laptop lid + screen)

Term Surface
Canopy dorsal Outside of lid
Canopy ventral Screen side

Bow Wall Functions

  • Power input (5V USB-C for charging)
  • Exhaust fans blowing away from user
  • Heat management surface

Carry Handle

Stern edge (lip). Screen is lightweight, hinge is rigid, and a lid latch is planned — so the canopy-open-under-gravity concern is handled. Keeps the bow wall dedicated to power input and exhaust.

Power System

IP5389 power bank board (preliminary). All-in-one: charging, BMS, USB-C PD output. See power-system.md for details.

Display Connection

Chosen path: HDMI → eDP-to-HDMI controller board → Innolux N156HGE-EAB panel.

The Orange Pi 3B has a native eDP port and a MIPI DSI port, but neither is used. Here's why:

eDP Port — Investigated, Ruled Out

The 30-pin eDP ZIF connector on the OPi3B underside could theoretically drive the salvaged laptop panel directly. In practice, eDP pinouts vary between manufacturers for the power and backlight signals despite VESA's standard for the data lanes. A panel expecting 12V on a pin the SBC sends 3.3V won't light. Send 12V where 3.3V is expected and you get smoke.

Orange Pi does not publish schematic-level documentation for the eDP connector pinout. Tracing it manually (multimeter + RK3566 datasheet) is possible but finicky, and the salvaged panel's exact pinout would need cross-referencing too. The $35 controller board was the right call — it's the proven approach the entire laptop-reuse community uses.

MIPI DSI Port — Investigated, Ruled Out

The 3B has a 2-lane MIPI DSI port on the back edge (15-pin FFC, Raspberry Pi-compatible form factor). Supported panels include several 5" and 7" Pi-style DSI touchscreens, enabled via the raspi-7inch-touchscreen overlay in /boot/orangepiEnv.txt. However:

  • Enabling DSI disables HDMI — the RK3566 can't drive both simultaneously under Linux on the OPi3B (confirmed by community testing and manufacturer)
  • The 15.6" salvaged panel is eDP, not DSI — a different interface entirely
  • No practical path to use it for the primary display

Result

The salvaged panel connects via its matched eDP-to-HDMI controller board. The OPi3B's HDMI output drives the controller board. The MIPI DSI and eDP ports remain unused and unpopulated internally.

Video Output

Mechanical HDMI A/B switch (passive, no power). Routes OPi3B's single HDMI to either the internal display (via eDP or eDP-to-HDMI controller) or a panel-mount HDMI jack on the starboard side. DisplayLink doesn't work on ARM — no drivers exist. Dual simultaneous display is not possible on the OPi3B (single HDMI output).

Input Device

ThinkPad TrackPoint keyboard (specific model TBD based on availability). Chosen for built-in TrackPoint pointer and 15.6" deck space compatibility.

Carry Handle

Stern edge (lip). Screen is lightweight, hinge is rigid, and a lid latch is planned — so the canopy-open-under-gravity concern is handled. Keeps the bow wall dedicated to power input and exhaust.