Hardware/SoC

[CiNcH83]

I don't really get the HW specs of those wireless CarPlay dongles. The log says that the SoC is a Freescale i.MX6(ARMv7). However when opening up those dongles (any version), SoC seems to be an Atmel AT91SAM9260. Can somebody clarify why the log states that it is an i.MX6? Wrong info? It is however also mentioned on the front page (README) of this repo.

[iDoka]

That's not wrong info.
HW indeed use i.MX6.
AT91SAM9260 has never supported DDr2/DDR3 SDRAM according to official specs.

I think by unknown reason SoC have camouflage/fake as AT91SAM9260.

[CiNcH83]

Yes. Just found it too...

[shadowswan]

Yup that’s the one

[CiNcH83]

NXP/Freescale provide i.MX based MFi development kits. So I suppose this is legit. Surely this means additional royalties to Apple...

[crazyyi]

The chip ending 3959 is likely a fake MFI authentication chip

https://upverter.com/part/upn/040421c077a11c52/

A fake one? Means it may or may not work in all situations? This is getting interesting. But a legit one would probably increase the cost a lot more. They need to have their own factory and 50+ workers to pass MFi's requirements.

[shadowswan]

I’m doubting apple is issuing them a license but may be they are sourcing these out the back door of another factory, looks like you can get the chips on AliExpress. Might not be a clone or fake chip and can’t see a proper data sheet so not sure how the license links in with it but appears it’s needed for the HU to identify it as a iPhone

[JJTech0130]

Ok, so I know this is a little old but someone I know has got their hands on a different model of CarlinKit, and it appears to not contain the 3959 chip? The PCB design appears to be slightly re-organized, but there is an empty footprint matching the pinout of the 3959 in roughly the same spot, and a new chip marked "3989A"? with more pins is occupying the previously unpopulated footprint in your picture, in mostly the same spot. Are they using multiple (fake?) MFi chip variants, or am I misunderstanding something?