July 11 (Official Start)

Started making the schematic today, i'm using EasyEDA since i find it easier to upload everything to JLCPCB when i'm done, plus, it has the built-in LCSC page. Since i'm doing a project similar to the Flipper, i thought of using a stronger MCU (the MCU it comes with is the STM32WB55RG). But the strongest thing i found, was a different package with more pins than the RG (the VG package). But since i'm doing my own kind of spin-off of it, i'm planning on adding it's original features, plus some features that aren't on the normal flipper that are nice to have, without relying on a external module, that is. So it is nice having extra pins. I don't really plan on doing my own firmware for it though, i just plan on making a build of it's original open-sourced firmware that is compatible with my hardware. Since it's a lot of modules to code in, and there probably aren't many code libraries for them. So it's way more viable (and faster) to reuse the Flipper's original firmware. I also need to do this FAST, since Highway ends in the 31st.

This was mostly a research day, since i needed to know about the original Flipper's specs and properties, so i didn't do much on the schematics.

Time spent: 3h

July 12

God, how i hate and love EasyEDA at the same time, it has some weird controls and lack of keyboard shortcuts, like, what do you mean i have to go out of my way to the top toolbar to simply rotate a component instead of just pressing R? Anyways, i'm planning to do most stuff like the original Flipper, things like power, some of the MCU wiring, that sort of stuff. Here's my current reference.

Time spent: 2h

July 13

Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck. Depending on how this goes, i might aswell have to switch back to the original Flipper's hardware, since i discovered that the stock firmware is really weird with different components, even if they're slightly different. If i can't work around something with the stock firmware, i might just use Momentum Firmware, which is a lot more portable. I also probably won't replicate the power schematics and that sort of stuff, since it's probably overcomplicated for what i'm doing, and can probably be dumbed down a LOT. MonkaS

Time spent: 2h

July 14

The STM32WB55VG will HAVE to do, since there's LITERALLY NO AVAILABLE PINS besides the ones for module boards, look at this:

Plus, i also can't directly replicate anything because of Highway's rules, so this will be a lot harder. On the power schematics, i probably will only reuse it's fuel gauge for firmware reasons.

Time spent: 1h 30m

July 16

I've decided to just not worry too much about firmware and software incompatibilities, and not getting too stuck to the original schematics. I'll just try to do my own thing from now on, i can fix firmware issues later, i just have to keep in mind the components i need for the basic functions. (Also took a break for one day, jesus, i'm burnt out.)

Time spent: (Didn't track time for this day, but i assume i just messed with it for like ~30m)

July 23

Took a big break to have enough energy to end this quickly since the deadline is close. I've decided to just forget the original stuff as a whole for now. Only thing i will actually need from them are the basic components. I'll also probably have to learn how to properly design PCB antennas, since i can't just SMA antenna my way out of RFID and NFC. I'm also looking at similar projects to get inspiration, like the FCFZ, this is actually a great project to base myself off of. Since it actually made me less worried about incompatibilities since most similar chips work the same, the firmware just works by using the chip ID to identify if it's a match or not, if it happens to not be a match, you can just change the source firmware to think it is a match. Another issue is that some of the modules for basic features on the Flipper are actually NRND (obsolete), this includes the RF switches, which is a BIG problem, so i'll need to find a replacement quick. Without it, i'll only be able to use the 433mHz band.