This is NOT an article about what laundry list of bells & whistles open source hardware should or should not have. The reason for this is because open source hardware has nothing to do with the technology capabilities of the hardware.
This fundamental truth is what most practitioners, social media influencers, tech hobbyists, and the public do not understand. Open source has nothing to do with software and hardware. Open source is about combating wealth inequality through publicization of assets. This means open source has everything to do with economics & power – namely ownership and control.
Thus, I posit that open source anything – in this case hardware – is only truly “open source” if the asset, once money is exchanged for its procurement, is under complete control and ownership of the asset buyer. In the famed words of James Carville:
“It’s [about] the economy, stupid.” - James Carville
Assets, Ownership and Transparency
Allow me to briefly recap our most important definition.
- Asset = A resource with economic value that an individual, corporation, or country owns and controls with the expectation that it will provide a future benefit. Assets are bought or created.
True ownership of an asset means you can utilize that asset however you wish, whenever you wish, with whomever you wish, for whatever you wish, wherever you wish. Ownership of an asset is when the asset, as well as all artifacts that were generated in the creation and selling of said asset, are within your complete control.
This means all knowledge and information about that asset are also yours.
Owning company stock is a clear example of complete ownership and control. As a stockholder, you have the right to vote on corporate policies, access financial information, and receive dividends. You don't need permission from anyone to exercise these rights. Additionally, you can sell the stock at any time, transferring ownership without restrictions. This autonomy in decision-making and the ability to freely manage the asset exemplify true ownership.
With these important definitions out of the way, let’s now shift our focus to explaining how this all plays out for hardware worthy of being called open source. I have made the following list to clarify what I believe true open source hardware, especially PLC, looks like.
Open Source Hardware Criteria
Design Artifacts
- Provide all artifacts used in design, simulation, testing, servicing, and burn-in of all electronic and mechanical components (e.g., CAD files, compute models, test scripts, and correspondence) at the time of purchase.
Manufacturing Processes
- Disclose manufacturing process recipes and yield results for all electrical and mechanical parts and sub-assemblies.
Diagnostic Tools
- Supply all diagnostic and troubleshooting tools at the time of purchase needed to service the hardware, regardless of user skill level.
Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Include a detailed BOM listing all parts, raw materials, and services used in fabrication. Specify vendor names, procurement details (date/time/location), costs, and procurement methods. Also, include costs for services (e.g., PCB epoxy layering from Vendor A at $5 per PCB).
Firmware and Software
- Provide all firmware files, data models, executables, binaries, and encryption keys for all electronic components.
Warranty Registry
- Maintain a public, immutable registry of all warranty claims, past and present.
Servicing and Modifications
- Allow servicing and modification without voiding the warranty by default. The manufacturer must prove that user actions caused any hardware failure or damage. Handle each warranty claim individually and publicly.
Component Replication
- Permit the free fabrication of component replicas for servicing and repairs.
Resale Freedom
- Allow unrestricted resale of the asset to anyone, anywhere, at any time, for any reason.
Interoperability
- Ensure the hardware can be used freely with any other assets, without manufacturer-imposed restrictions.
How this pertains to open source PLCs
Open source hardware has nothing to do with the technology capabilities of the hardware. It is about whether the asset, once money is exchanged for its procurement, is under complete control and ownership of the asset buyer.
The only way this happens is if the hardware is free to be used with any software whenever, by whomever, wherever, for whatever reason. This currently does not exist with any PLC commercially available. Full stop.
As for features, an open source PLC would have the same functionality as any commercially available PLC product today. Mount rails, various interface ports (USB, ethernet, serial), clearly labeled modules, expandable slots to add on inputs/outputs, digital and analog inputs/outputs, CPU cycle counts, real-time clock, interrupt handling, PID control, internal data storage, ALU/mathematical operations, sequential control, signal conditioning, signal isolation, bumpless transfer, environmental monitoring, energy management, hardware-level security, and so on.
The best part is that we have already figured out how to do all of the above, do it well, and have been doing it for decades. What needs to come next is free the hardware asset from software assets AND open the hardware to be used however the purchaser wants to use it. It really is just that simple.
Addressing Concerns About Open Source Hardware
Naturally, there will be concerns about these items listed above. Let’s get into some of them.
Earning a Living and Market Copying
While open access might raise concerns about fabrication and copying, it's important to note that not everyone has the capital to produce on a large scale. The iron triangle of cost, scope, schedule, and quality plays a crucial role. Mass production benefits some items, but specialized needs ensure a market for unique, non-commoditized products. The market will naturally balance itself as specialized demands arise.
Intellectual Property (IP) Law
Access to information doesn't guarantee execution. Different firms and individuals have varying priorities and risk appetites, fostering innovation. Opportunity cost acts as a natural barrier to stagnation. Real competition, without artificial barriers, allows the best solutions to emerge. To truly support innovators, the USPTO system should be reformed to prevent patent hoarding and promote fair competition.
Business Profitability with Public Assets
The question of business profitability when assets are publicized needs careful discourse. The sole purpose of a business is to profit, but the means and ends of profit matter. Profit for its own sake leads to unbounded self-aggrandizement. The inconsistency in opposing public assets while relying on publicly accessible knowledge highlights a cognitive dissonance in capitalism.
Security Concerns
Open-source industrial networking equipment already exists, demonstrating that hardware doesn't need to be forcibly linked to software for security. This approach, driven by greed, isn't scientifically justified. If open-source solutions work for critical infrastructure, there's no reason they can't work for PLCs. The argument that PLCs are more critical than industrial networking equipment is unfounded, as networking failures can also lead to catastrophic outcomes.
Summary
Open source hardware isn't about the technology's bells and whistles; it's about combating wealth inequality through public ownership and control of assets. This movement is fundamentally about economics and power, ensuring that once an asset is purchased, it is fully owned and controlled by the buyer. True open source hardware allows for complete freedom in how the asset is used, modified, and resold, without artificial barriers imposed by manufacturers.
Addressing concerns about open source hardware reveals that many fears are unfounded or stem from misconceptions. The market will naturally balance itself, and real competition without artificial barriers fosters innovation and better solutions. Reforming the USPTO system is crucial to support innovators and prevent patent hoarding.
Businesses must reconsider the means and ends of profit, recognizing the inconsistency in opposing public assets while relying on publicly accessible knowledge. Security concerns, too, can be managed effectively, as demonstrated by existing open-source industrial networking equipment.
However, the success of this movement hinges on involving the general public in the conversation. It’s not enough to focus solely on the technical aspects; we must also engage in public discourse on the economic and political facets of open source. Without widespread public engagement and understanding, the effort to combat wealth inequality through open source will falter.
I urge you to join this discussion, advocate for open source principles, and help shape a future where ownership and control of assets are democratized. Together, we can ensure that open source hardware fulfills its potential to create a more equitable and innovative world.
Thank you, and I look forward to continuing this important conversation with you.
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DISCLAIMER: I am not sponsored or influenced in any way, shape, or form by the companies and products mentioned. This is my own original content, with image credits given as appropriate and necessary.
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