Hardware/Feature Requests for vNext (v5?)

[ctacke]

For the next version of Clima, I propose the following features:

1. A fan relay.
   We're using a temp sensor of the board, and having that in the enclosure that could be in the sun could yield data that isn't great. Adding a small 30mm case fan could help.
2. Screw terminals for an external thermistor
   For the reason above, the option of an external wired thermistor would be good
3. A light sensor and light pipe
   Being able to determine if we're in daylight/direct sun may also assist with meadow.core not found in local repository (also Meadow.Foundation not found when present) #1 above
4. A battery-backed RTC
   When the device boots it may or may not have a network connection. If it starts logging data before an NTP time comes in, we need to do math to back-correct those data points, which is not fun.
5. Remove the GPS
   It's used for locating the device, but typically there are fixed-mount so it seems like a lot of BOM cost for a one-time data point that could be achieved in another way
6. 4-pin header for an SSD1306 I2C display
   The ability to optionally plug in a small I2C display is extremely helpful for development and testing.

[jbeenes]

7. Also maybe add the ability to use some free pins to connect some custom hardware. Like the Qwiic I2C connector on the v3 already can be used for (I presume).

[doingnz]

1. Solar charger should feature MPPT to get optimum power from the solar panel.
2. Battery management should be integrated solution taking power from solar, usb or battery and delivering regulated power to CCM to optimise run time and safe transitions between the power sources, charging battery when surplus energy is available.
3. Probably need two batteries to store enough charge and to make the battery management circuit easier.
4. CPU supervisor to manage RESET in place of simplistic RC
5. Through holes or provision on PCB to mount reset and boot buttons mounted on the case and externally accessible without removing the cover.
6. Option to fit a power switch in-line with battery. Maybe two through-holes joined with a track on the PCB to make default always ON. To fit the power switch, cut the track and solder wire or connector into the holes. This is needed as there are times reset is not enough and power must be removed from the Meadow to properly reset (maybe 4 fixes this issue in longer term?).

[doingnz]

Switch to ESP32-C5 for Dual-Band Wi-Fi 6