Block Unveils Key Pillars Of Its Mining Development Kit (MDK) Package

• "A few months back we announced our intention to build a package of tools to help developers build new and innovative uses for bitcoin mining hardware - the mining development kit (MDK)."
• "Since the announcement, we have continued work on the MDK. This has included further requirements gathering and definition, as well as engineering of the hashboard, controller board, firmware and API, and work on a single-board system reference design."

"While this work is still in the early stages, we are excited to share our current view on what the MDK package will consist of, as follows:

1. "A 100-chip hashboard of our own design, using Intel BZM2 ASICs, with an attached heatsink and power consumption in the 1kW range. Uniquely, the hashboard will include an embedded controller, supporting safe operation of the hashboard, rapid startup and shutdown of the hashboard, and other features. The hashboard dimensions will be 290mm high by 195mm wide, similar to other hashboards used in the industry."
2. "A custom-built controller board, with USB connection to the hashboard. This means the hashboard can also be driven by any computer with a USB port, including Raspberry Pi controller boards, laptops, etc."
3. "Miner firmware. Employing an embedded Linux OS, the firmware will enable communication with mining pools and operation of the hashboard. Developers will be able to interact with the miner via a graphical user interface (GUI). We intend the firmware to support overclocking, underclocking, rapid startup and shutdown of hashing, and disablement of fans - all requested features."
4. "A RESTful software API based on the OpenAPI and implemented in Rust that allows flexible management of the hashboard, including the above-mentioned frequently requested features."
5. "A single-board system reference design, with a suite of recommended components including chassis, fans, power supply, connection cables, and 3D-printable components. This package will allow developers to get up and running quickly. We will sell the hashboard and controller board, while the other reference design components (fan, PSU, etc.) will be readily sourceable from third party vendors. The reference design will include support for 110-240v power supply voltage range."
6. "Support documentation for the hashboard, controller board, firmware, API and reference design, likely encompassing product specifications, product briefs, data sheets, design files, and a code repository."
7. "Open source licenses for hashboard and controller board designs, and the firmware."

• "Note that this initial version of the MDK is primarily intended as a toolset for use by technically proficient developers. Over time, we may introduce products for wider audiences, depending on interest from the market."
• "Please reach out to us at mining@block.xyz to get in touch, ask questions, and share your thoughts."

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