# Hardware Requirements and Purchase Plan

## Overview

This document outlines hardware requirements for the Atlas voice agent system, based on completed technology evaluations and model selections.

## Hardware Status

### Already Available
- ✅ **RTX 4080** (16GB VRAM) - Work agent LLM + ASR
- ✅ **RTX 1050** (4GB VRAM) - Family agent LLM
- ✅ **Servers** - Hosting for 4080 and 1050

## Required Hardware

### Must-Have / Critical for MVP

#### 1. Microphones (Priority: High)

**Requirements:**
- High-quality USB microphones or array mic
- For living room/office wake-word detection and voice capture
- Good noise cancellation for home environment
- Multiple locations may be needed

**Options:**

**Option A: USB Microphones (Recommended)**
- **Blue Yeti** or **Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB**
- **Cost**: $50-150 each
- **Quantity**: 1-2 (living room + office)
- **Pros**: Good quality, easy setup, USB plug-and-play
- **Cons**: Requires USB connection to always-on node

**Option B: Array Microphone**
- **ReSpeaker 4-Mic Array** or similar
- **Cost**: $30-50
- **Quantity**: 1-2
- **Pros**: Better directionality, designed for voice assistants
- **Cons**: May need additional setup/configuration

**Option C: Headset (For Desk Usage)**
- **Logitech H390** or similar USB headset
- **Cost**: $30-50
- **Quantity**: 1
- **Pros**: Lower noise, good for focused work
- **Cons**: Not hands-free

**Recommendation**: Start with 1-2 USB microphones (Option A) for MVP

**Purchase Priority**: ⭐⭐⭐ **Critical** - Needed for wake-word and ASR testing

#### 2. Always-On Node (Priority: High)

**Requirements:**
- Small, low-power device for wake-word detection
- Can also run ASR if using CPU deployment
- 24/7 operation capability
- Network connectivity

**Options:**

**Option A: Raspberry Pi 4+ (Recommended)**
- **Specs**: 4GB+ RAM, microSD card (64GB+)
- **Cost**: $75-100 (with case, power supply, SD card)
- **Pros**: Low power, well-supported, good for wake-word
- **Cons**: Limited CPU for ASR (would need GPU or separate ASR)

**Option B: Intel NUC (Small Form Factor)**
- **Specs**: i3 or better, 8GB+ RAM, SSD
- **Cost**: $200-400
- **Pros**: More powerful, can run ASR on CPU, better for always-on
- **Cons**: Higher cost, more power consumption

**Option C: Old SFF PC (If Available)**
- **Specs**: Any modern CPU, 8GB+ RAM
- **Cost**: $0 (if repurposing)
- **Pros**: Free, likely sufficient
- **Cons**: May be larger, noisier, higher power

**Recommendation**: 
- **If using ASR on 4080**: Raspberry Pi 4+ is sufficient (wake-word only)
- **If using ASR on CPU**: Intel NUC or SFF PC recommended

**Purchase Priority**: ⭐⭐⭐ **Critical** - Needed for wake-word node

#### 3. Storage (Priority: Medium)

**Requirements:**
- Additional storage for logs, transcripts, note archives
- SSD for logs (fast access)
- HDD for archives (cheaper, larger capacity)

**Options:**

**Option A: External SSD**
- **Size**: 500GB-1TB
- **Cost**: $50-100
- **Use**: Logs, active transcripts
- **Pros**: Fast, portable

**Option B: External HDD**
- **Size**: 2TB-4TB
- **Cost**: $60-120
- **Use**: Archives, backups
- **Pros**: Large capacity, cost-effective

**Recommendation**: 
- **If space available on existing drives**: Can defer
- **If needed**: 500GB SSD for logs + 2TB HDD for archives

**Purchase Priority**: ⭐⭐ **Medium** - Can use existing storage initially

#### 4. Network Gear (Priority: Low)

**Requirements:**
- Extra Ethernet runs or PoE switch (if needed)
- For connecting mic nodes and servers

**Options:**

**Option A: PoE Switch**
- **Ports**: 8-16 ports
- **Cost**: $50-150
- **Use**: Power and connect mic nodes
- **Pros**: Clean setup, single cable

**Option B: Ethernet Cables**
- **Length**: As needed
- **Cost**: $10-30
- **Use**: Direct connections
- **Pros**: Simple, cheap

**Recommendation**: Only if needed for clean setup. Can use WiFi for Pi initially.

**Purchase Priority**: ⭐ **Low** - Only if needed for deployment

### Nice-to-Have (Post-MVP)

#### 5. Dedicated Low-Power Box for 1050 (Priority: Low)

**Requirements:**
- If current 1050 host is noisy or power-hungry
- Small, quiet system for family agent

**Options:**
- Mini-ITX build with 1050
- Small form factor case
- **Cost**: $200-400 (if building new)

**Recommendation**: Only if current setup is problematic

**Purchase Priority**: ⭐ **Low** - Optional optimization

#### 6. UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) (Priority: Medium)

**Requirements:**
- Protect 4080/1050 servers from abrupt shutdowns
- Prevent data loss during power outages
- Runtime: 10-30 minutes

**Options:**
- **APC Back-UPS 600VA** or similar
- **Cost**: $80-150
- **Capacity**: 600-1000VA

**Recommendation**: Good investment for data protection

**Purchase Priority**: ⭐⭐ **Medium** - Recommended but not critical for MVP

#### 7. Dashboard Display (Priority: Low)

**Requirements:**
- Small tablet or wall-mounted screen
- For LAN dashboard display

**Options:**
- **Raspberry Pi Touchscreen** (7" or 10")
- **Cost**: $60-100
- **Use**: Web dashboard display

**Recommendation**: Nice for visibility, but web dashboard works on any device

**Purchase Priority**: ⭐ **Low** - Optional, can use phone/tablet

## Purchase Plan

### Phase 1: MVP Essentials (Immediate)

**Total Cost: $125-250**

1. **USB Microphone(s)**: $50-150
   - 1-2 microphones for wake-word and voice capture
   - Priority: Critical

2. **Always-On Node**: $75-200
   - Raspberry Pi 4+ (if ASR on 4080) or NUC (if ASR on CPU)
   - Priority: Critical

**Subtotal**: $125-350

### Phase 2: Storage & Protection (After MVP Working)

**Total Cost: $140-270**

3. **Storage**: $50-100 (SSD) + $60-120 (HDD)
   - Only if existing storage insufficient
   - Priority: Medium

4. **UPS**: $80-150
   - Protect servers from power loss
   - Priority: Medium

**Subtotal**: $190-370

### Phase 3: Optional Enhancements (Future)

**Total Cost: $60-400**

5. **Network Gear**: $10-150 (if needed)
6. **Dashboard Display**: $60-100 (optional)
7. **Dedicated 1050 Box**: $200-400 (only if needed)

**Subtotal**: $270-650

## Total Cost Estimate

- **MVP Minimum**: $125-250
- **MVP + Storage/UPS**: $315-620
- **Full Setup**: $585-1270

## Recommendations by Deployment Option

### If ASR on RTX 4080 (Recommended)
- **Always-On Node**: Raspberry Pi 4+ ($75-100) - Wake-word only
- **Microphones**: 1-2 USB mics ($50-150)
- **Total MVP**: $125-250

### If ASR on CPU (Alternative)
- **Always-On Node**: Intel NUC ($200-400) - Wake-word + ASR
- **Microphones**: 1-2 USB mics ($50-150)
- **Total MVP**: $250-550

## Purchase Timeline

### Week 1 (MVP Start)
- ✅ Order USB microphone(s)
- ✅ Order always-on node (Pi 4+ or NUC)
- **Goal**: Get wake-word and basic voice capture working

### Week 2-4 (After MVP Working)
- Order storage if needed
- Order UPS for server protection
- **Goal**: Stable, protected setup

### Month 2+ (Enhancements)
- Network gear if needed
- Dashboard display (optional)
- **Goal**: Polish and optimization

## Hardware Specifications Summary

### Always-On Node (Wake-Word + Optional ASR)

**Minimum (Raspberry Pi 4):**
- CPU: ARM Cortex-A72 (quad-core)
- RAM: 4GB+
- Storage: 64GB microSD
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi
- Power: 5V USB-C, ~5W

**Recommended (Intel NUC - if ASR on CPU):**
- CPU: Intel i3 or better
- RAM: 8GB+
- Storage: 256GB+ SSD
- Network: Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi
- Power: 12V, ~15-25W

### Microphones

**USB Microphone:**
- Interface: USB 2.0+
- Sample Rate: 48kHz
- Bit Depth: 16-bit+
- Directionality: Cardioid or omnidirectional

**Array Microphone:**
- Channels: 4+ microphones
- Interface: USB or I2S
- Beamforming: Preferred
- Noise Cancellation: Preferred

## Next Steps

1. ✅ Hardware requirements documented
2. ✅ Purchase plan created
3. **Action**: Order MVP essentials (microphones + always-on node)
4. **Action**: Set up always-on node for wake-word testing
5. **Action**: Test microphone setup with wake-word detection

## References

- Wake-Word Evaluation: `docs/WAKE_WORD_EVALUATION.md` (when created)
- ASR Evaluation: `docs/ASR_EVALUATION.md`
- Architecture: `ARCHITECTURE.md`

---

**Last Updated**: 2024-01-XX
**Status**: Requirements Complete - Ready for Purchase