Technically Multimorphic did it first with P-ROC.

I saw some pinball boards designed by an industrial robotics engineer and the 16-coil driver board was the size of a pack of gum because he used SMT MOSFETs instead of the TO-220 we're used to. I guess from a repairable view that's a bad idea but he explained he put a ton of circuit protection in place so they never blow anymore, so using the replaceable package wasn't needed.

I guess this is how it's going.

Based on the photos in the WWE thread it seems to get the job done.

It can't be just a PC supply. You need at least 25V - more likely 50V - for the coils and flippers.

As someone whose job is to create fault-tolerant server systems, I'm a bit taken back at the idea that they've created a fully serial network, or at least not provided failover paths.

From my perspective, having one more wire for bypass seems like a no-brainer, but perhaps I'm missing something. Cost reasons?

In this case I'm sure the only time the card is written is when you update the firmware. Unless they're storing audits there. Hmm.

If it's running Linux and has a network stack, it can be hacked and run a bitcoin miner.

The likelihood of it is very slim given the platform, especially if you have it hardened really well - signing code is good - but never underestimate the resourcefulness of hackers!

But the benefit of having the machines online far outweighs the risks. Imagine national high score tables!

I agree, it's unlikely, but not zero percent.

I have a lot of experience running high value hacking targets that are under constant attack so I know it's possible to keep them out, but that involves constant updates and patches.

But, the risk/reward for a hacker is probably pretty low like you say. Bring on the internet pinballs!

You'd swap out the board on-site and do the SMT work back at the shop. Why is that hard to understand?

Isn't it better you're not whipping out soldering irons on location? Trying to find a plug, waiting for it to heat up, awkwardly using the game next to it as a table... This seems like progress to me.

The only thing I'd worry about being obsolete and hard to get in 10-20 years is the SD card itself. I still keep an old DOS PC to use my EEPROM burner...

What's your IP address?

How does that jive with your previous statement that the SMT FET had the same footprint as a TO-220 device?

Like I said, the 50V 16-solenoid driver I saw was the size of a pack of gum.

They're sending 110AC to that board I take it? That's a lot of bridge rectifier and cap, and what looks like a voltage regulator. I guess to avoid having a more complicated and expensive power supply?

Remember Gottlieb pop bumper boards?

What are the sales numbers on The Pin?

Here's what a Stern game will look like in 2021 based on their cost-cutting trends.

stern-2021.png