Add and configure WAN port on OpenWrt

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OpenWrt is a Linux based, embedded operating system for networking devices. Besides being open source, it is highly configurable and versatile. This post will show how to configure one of the LAN ports as WAN input (for xDSL routers, which have the WAN internally connected to the modem). There are no opensource drivers for ADSL op OpenWrt and this feature is therefore unavailable. It doesn't matter anyway, since DSL limited in bandwidth and is losing its popularity.

Many DSL routers are in fact more powerful platforms, with improved hardware, than ordinary routers. If you want to connect the router to wired LAN internet this is what you should do. I've done this on a router with a development snapshot installed (the difference is that development versions do not come with web interface preinstalled). If you have a regular release, you can skip LuCI installation, as you already have access to the web interface of the router.

Install OpenWrt on P.RG AV4202N router

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AV4202N is an xDSL modem and WiFi router based on the BCM6368 SoC manufactured by Broadcom. The CPU has 2 cores running at 400 MHz, with 64 MB RAM and 16 MB flash memory. It also has 2 USB 2.0 ports and 2 WiFi internal antennas.

Currently, although the BCM63xx platform is supported by OpenWrt, there are no releases for this device. Neither LEDE Project has released a stable build for this device, but they are offering a development snapshot [3]. The problem with LEDE snapshots is that they don't work out of the box without additional software packages (you don’t get any web interface).

But, LEDE can’t be installed on the device due to the locked bootloader. This article will show you how to use JTAG to install a different bootloader that can be used to flash OpenWRT/LEDE firmware. Part 2 details LEDE configuration and internet connection.

Note! If the mentioned device was offered to you by an ISP for xDSL internet access, doing what is described next will void the warranty of the device and make it unusable. You should not attempt to change firmware in this situation. Third party firmware does not support xDSL!
Install OpenWRT/LEDE on P.RG AV4202N router

Generate good looking PCB artwork from KiCAD

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KiCAD is probably the most complete opensource EDA suite. It comes with a schematic editor, a PCB designer and a 3D viewer. PCB designs can be exported to multiple formats or printed directly from the software. Although the plotting (printing) options are quite advanced, there aren't options for overlaying different layers with different colors.

This tutorial will show you how to create PCB artwork that looks good on display or print and that is intended only as a guide to the reader, not as a source for manufacturing PCB. The result will be a greenish PCB (or any color you want) with silkscreen on top of it. This is probably something you already seen in electronics publications.

There are many ways of doing this. All you need to start are the PDF files plotted by KiCAD and some image editing software (I prefer opensource tools: GIMP or some ImageMagick scripting).

Generate good looking PCB artwork from KiCAD