More thoughts on adding NFC to the Framework Laptop

Terence Eden — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 11:34:52 +0000

I've got a fancy new Framework laptop. It comes with little expansion sockets - which allow you to plug in USB devices, HDMI ports, Ethernet cables, and all sorts.

I want to add an NFC reader to it.

So, step one was to find an NFC circuit board which worked with the hardware and was relatively small.

Enter the ACM1252U-Z2. It works perfectly with Linux. It has a USB-Micro socket - but a USB-C OTG cable allowed it to work with the Framework.

It is about as small as they come - but will it fit?

Thanks to Alexey for sending me some 3D printed samples of the Framework expansion plugs, I was able to make a bit of progress.

The board is slim enough in height and width to fit into to the casing:

But it will stick out rather alarmingly:

It's useful to have the antenna that far out - but I'm worried about bumping it.

What about under the casing of the main laptop? There are two spacer units which can be removed, and there is access to the internal USB connectors under the numpad.

Will it fit? The answer, again, is… oooh! Just about!

If the trackpad was moved left, there'd be plenty of room horizontally.

It will still need something sturdy covering it - and that will need to be transparent to RF.

So here are my next thoughts:

Can I (or someone else) desolder the USB-Micro plug and solder on a USB-C OTG plug?
Is having a protruding expansion going to be annoying or dangerous?
How hard would it be to replace the spacer and wire directly into the vacant USB pins under the numpad?

If you have answers to these questions - please drop a comment in the box.

Soldering At The Science Museum

Terence Eden — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:57:21 +0000

Last night, Google held its second "Luvvies and Boffins" event at The Science Museum. Part of the Science Museum Lates - an adults-only evening event.

As well as tours of the museum exhibits, there was a chance at some hands-on science.

We were led by an excellent team from Technology Will Save Us. A group whose mission states:

Technology Will Save Us is a haberdashery for technology and alternative education dedicated to helping people to produce and not just consume technology.

So, after a brief tutorial on safety, we got cracking.

I'm not sure who did the risk assessment, but I am told that it is totally safe to be supping Mojitos while playing with soldering irons....

Here, I have an awful confession. I have never soldered before! I'm mostly a software geek - my hardware experience is mostly around plugging things in.

So, this is my first attempt at soldering...

After a few misshaps - but no burnt fingers - I had a fully working Lumiphone!

It was a thoroughly entertaining evening. Technology Will Save Us sell a variety of kits at very reasonable prices and run regular classes for adults and children.

soldering – Terence Eden’s Blog

More thoughts on adding NFC to the Framework Laptop

Soldering At The Science Museum