cheap fpga recommendation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CodeInHardware
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 12:45:26 pm
content: Could someone recommend a cheap FPGA? Preferably under 10$, if it doesn't exist then under 20$.

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 01:11:32 pm
content: https://mou.sr/3KY8q7P

author: CodeInHardware
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 01:24:42 pm
content: thanks, but i would like a devboard, i'm a begineer.ps. Also something working with Icestudio, and having easy to understand begineer friendly documentation.

author: ftg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 02:01:37 pm
content: I think the currently cheapest FPGA devkits with usable documentation are Sipeed's Tang Nano series.The Sipeed Lichee Tang Nano 4K gpes for under 20eur on Aliexpress and Sipeed Lichee Tang Nano 1k can be sometimes found for under 15eur on ali.Gowin GW1N-series also seems to have some support in Yosys/nextpnr, so you are not limited to the vendor provided tools.https://github.com/YosysHQ/apiculaOther low cost options include various FPGA based LED panel controllers and the more random aliexpress specials with older Altera or Xilinx parts.There might be also some cheap Lattice iCE40 based boards out there, but the chips have had very hit & miss availability.

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 02:19:29 pm
content: OlimexiCE40HX8K-EVB or iCE40HX1K-EVB. They're Open Source Hardware, with schematics and KiCad design files available.

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 02:21:41 pm
content: Quote from: CodeInHardware on June 20, 2024, 01:24:42 pmYou asked for an FPGA, not a board. Perhaps be more clear in future?https://www.aliexpress.us/item/1005006046955854.html

author: CodeInHardware
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 02:35:00 pm
content: thanks for all the replies, the last one looks good, can it handle vga or composite with it's 1152 lut's?also does it support icestudio?

author: Postal2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 04:25:39 pm
content: Search EBAZ4205, must be about 15$.https://aliexpress.com/item/1005005919123170.html

author: up8051
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 04:44:26 pm
content: Też polecam moduły z serii Tang Nano z układami FPFA firmy Gowin Semiconductors.Do generacji sygnałów VGA wystarczy kilkadziesiąt LUTs ale pamiętaj o potrzebnej pamięci RAM na bufor obrazu.Jaką rozdzielczość i głębię koloru chcesz uzyskać.I also recommend Tang Nano series modules with FPFA chips from Gowin Semiconductors.Several dozen LUTs are enough to generate VGA signals, but remember about the necessary RAM for the image buffer.What resolution and color depth do you want to achieve?

author: CodeInHardware
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 05:37:15 pm
content: dziękuje, rozdzielczość 640x480 3 bity koloru. Możesz dać linka na allegro?

author: up8051
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 05:58:20 pm
content: At this resolution, it will be necessary to use PSRAM memory (external in Tang Nano, built-in in Tang Nano 4K and 9K).The photos show an example of using TangNano in the DMD2VGA converter module (flipper displays).VGA works with RGB656 color depth.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2024, 06:13:04 pm
content: Quote from: CodeInHardware on June 20, 2024, 12:45:26 pmI was in same situation recently, picked the Upduino, and am very happy with it. It fits in a solderless breadboard and works with open source tools such as APIO and IceStudio.https://tinyvision.ai/products/upduino-v3-1Tang (a Chinese vendor) has similar boards that work, I think, with tools they provide.Here is a list of boards that are supported by the open source tool chain```apio boards --list───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Board (FPGA, Arch, Type, Size, Pack)───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────• Alchitry-Cu (FPGA:iCE40-HX8K-CB132, ice40, hx, 8k, cb132)• Butterstick-r10-2g-85k (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5UM5G-85F-CABGA381, ecp5, um5g-85k, 85k, CABGA381)• Butterstick-r10-2g-85k_(FT2232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5UM5G-85F-CABGA381, ecp5, um5g-85k, 85k, CABGA381)• Butterstick-r10-2g-85k_(FT232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5UM5G-85F-CABGA381, ecp5, um5g-85k, 85k, CABGA381)• Cat-board (FPGA:iCE40-HX8K-CT256, ice40, hx, 8k, ct256)• ColorLight-5A-75B-V61 (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA381, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA381)• ColorLight-5A-75B-V7 (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• ColorLight-5A-75B-V8 (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• ColorLight-5A-75E-V6 (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• ColorLight-5A-75E-V71_(FT2232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• ColorLight-5A-75E-V71_(FT232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• ColorLight-5A-75E-V71_(USB-Blaster) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• ColorLight-i5-v7.0_(FT2232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA381, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA381)• ColorLight-i5-v7.0_(FT232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA381, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA381)• ColorLight-i5-v7.0_(USB-Blaster) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA381, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA381)• ColorLight-i9-v7.2_(FT2232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-45F-CABGA381, ecp5, 45k, 45k, CABGA381)• ColorLight-i9-v7.2_(FT232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-45F-CABGA381, ecp5, 45k, 45k, CABGA381)• ColorLight-i9-v7.2_(USB-Blaster) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-45F-CABGA381, ecp5, 45k, 45k, CABGA381)• ECP5-Evaluation-Board (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5UM5G-85F-CABGA381, ecp5, um5g-85k, 85k, CABGA381)• ECP5-Mini-12 (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-12F-CABGA256, ecp5, 12k, 12k, CABGA256)• ECP5-Mini-25 (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• FleaFPGA-Ohm_(FT2232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA381, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA381)• FleaFPGA-Ohm_(FT232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA381, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA381)• FleaFPGA-Ohm_(USB-Blaster) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA381, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA381)• OK-iCE40Pro (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• ThetaMachines-ETH4K (FPGA:iCE40-HX4K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 8k, tq144:4k)• TinyFPGA-B2 (FPGA:iCE40-LP8K-CM81, ice40, lp, 8k, cm81)• TinyFPGA-BX (FPGA:iCE40-LP8K-CM81, ice40, lp, 8k, cm81)• TinyFPGA-EX-rev1 (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-85F-CSFBGA285, ecp5, 85k, 85k, CSFBGA285)• TinyFPGA-EX-rev2 (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5UM5G-85F-CSFBGA285, ecp5, um5g-85k, 85k, CSFBGA285)• alhambra-ii (FPGA:iCE40-HX4K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 8k, tq144:4k)• arice1 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• blackice (FPGA:iCE40-HX4K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 8k, tq144:4k)• blackice-ii (FPGA:iCE40-HX4K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 8k, tq144:4k)• blackice-mx (FPGA:iCE40-HX4K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 8k, tq144:4k)• edu-ciaa-fpga (FPGA:iCE40-HX4K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 8k, tq144:4k)• fomu (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-UWG30, ice40, up, 5k, uwg30)• fpga101 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• go-board (FPGA:iCE40-HX1K-VQ100, ice40, hx, 1k, vq100)• iCE40-HX1K-EVB (FPGA:iCE40-HX1K-VQ100, ice40, hx, 1k, vq100)• iCE40-HX8K (FPGA:iCE40-HX8K-CT256, ice40, hx, 8k, ct256)• iCE40-HX8K-EVB (FPGA:iCE40-HX8K-CT256, ice40, hx, 8k, ct256)• iCE40-UL1K-Breakout (FPGA:iCE40-UL1K-CM36A, ice40, ul, 1k, cm36a)• iCE40-UP5K (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• iCEBreaker (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• iCEBreaker-bitsy0 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• iCEBreaker-bitsy1 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• iCESugar-Pro_(FT2232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• iCESugar-Pro_(FT232H) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• iCESugar-Pro_(USB-Blaster) (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA256, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA256)• iCESugar-nano (FPGA:iCE40-LP1K-CM36, ice40, lp, 1k, cm36)• iCESugar_1_5 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• iceWerx (FPGA:iCE40-HX8K-CB132, ice40, hx, 8k, cb132)• iceblink40-hx1k (FPGA:iCE40-HX1K-VQ100, ice40, hx, 1k, vq100)• icefun (FPGA:iCE40-HX8K-CB132, ice40, hx, 8k, cb132)• icestick (FPGA:iCE40-HX1K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 1k, tq144)• icezum (FPGA:iCE40-HX1K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 1k, tq144)• icoboard (FPGA:iCE40-HX8K-CT256, ice40, hx, 8k, ct256)• kefir (FPGA:iCE40-HX4K-TQ144, ice40, hx, 8k, tq144:4k)• orangecrab-r02-25f (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CSFBGA285, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CSFBGA285)• orangecrab-r02-85f (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-85F-CSFBGA285, ecp5, 85k, 85k, CSFBGA285)• pico-ice (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• ulx3s-12f (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-12F-CABGA381, ecp5, 12k, 12k, CABGA381)• ulx3s-25f (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-25F-CABGA381, ecp5, 25k, 25k, CABGA381)• ulx3s-45f (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-45F-CABGA381, ecp5, 45k, 45k, CABGA381)• ulx3s-85f (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5U-85F-CABGA381, ecp5, 85k, 85k, CABGA381)• upduino (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• upduino2 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• upduino21 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• upduino3 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• upduino31 (FPGA:iCE40-UP5K-SG48, ice40, up, 5k, sg48)• versa (FPGA:ECP5-LFE5UM-45F-CABGA381, ecp5, um-45k, 45k, CABGA381)```

author: Rainwater
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 03:35:29 am
content: The tang nano 9k has an hdmi port and a lot of demo code to help promote sales. Its the one im learning on. $20 last time i checked. I splurged and got the 8.5in 1080 oled touch screen display with it. Total was about 70 bucks.Im not sure what constitutes fast, but i've gotten things to run at 210MHz. Their toolchain is not as nice as the other manufacturers, but its better than the open-source options. Giving timing reports and a technology viewer and thank god, error messages. Iverilog will sometimes just say.. and i quote "I give up", but the gowin toolchain will spit out an error message describing the error and what line its on.Its been enjoyable so far.They dont seam to support retiming yet, so ive gotten to write a lot of fractal recursion functions to help build lut trees decoratedwith registers.In short, using code with 1 logic level (dff > 4bit lut > dff) you can expect around 4.5ns of propagation time. Or about 200mhz FMax.You get lots of memory options, distributed, block, ddr.9000ish lut6400 registersFun stuff.

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 04:07:08 am
content: iCE40HX1K-EVB+iCE40-IOcosts 26€ (+ VAT?) + shipping, but has VGA + PS/2 + IRDA, 64kbytes embedded RAM, 512kbytes SRAM (10ns), and 1280 logic cells.iCE40HX8K-EVB+iCE40-IOcosts 40€ (+ VAT?) + shipping, but has VGA + PS/2 + IRDA, 128kbytes embedded RAM, 512kbytes SRAM (10ns), and 7680 logic cells.The iCE40-IO uses 9 pins for 9-bit RGB (512 colors). For 640x480, that needs 338kbytes for the framebuffer. You could do for example 4 bits per pixel (one bit each for RGB, and one bit to select whether set bits correspond to 50% or 100%), getting the venerable DOS EGA/VGA 16-color palette, in which case 640x480 needs a 76800-byte (640×480×4 = 1,228,800 bit) framebuffer. A 16-entry look-up table with 9 bits per entry would give you a selectable palette, though.SipeedTang Nano 4K(GowinGW1NSR-LV4CFPGA) andTang Nano 9K(GowinGW1NR-9FPGA) have a HDMI connector for video; but notethis threadfor issues.I must admit I personally prefer the utterly crisp images I get with purely digital (DVI-D/HDMI/DisplayPort) video.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 05:34:59 am
content: Pretty good price for these Olimex boards, especially considering that the price of the Lattice dev boards for their small FPGAs (iCE40, MachXO2/3, ...) used to be pretty low ($20-25) and has skyrocketed in the past few years.

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 07:49:13 am
content: I particularly like the Olimex boards because they're certified OSHW (BG000132 for iCE40HX8K-EVB, BG000133 for iCE40HX1K-EVB), and that sort of effort deserves a reward. More practically, as a hobbyist myself, if I want or need, I can start with the existing KiCad board files, and spin my own variant –– although the 100-pin 0.5mm VQFP ('1K) and 256-ball 0.8mm pitch BGA ('8K) are a bit scary!For example Mouser sells the exact bare FPGA chips right now (2024-06-21) for 6.84€ and 17.48€, respectively (+VAT and shipping), so the Olimex prices for the dev board (and VGA, DAC, ADC accessories) is quite good.

author: brucehoult
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 08:51:38 am
content: Quote from: Nominal Animal on June 21, 2024, 07:49:13 amI've never bought any Olimex stuff except a JTAG interface, but I'm impressed by the work they're putting into a $1 RISC-V "PC" (in the same sense as an Apple I or ZX80 is a PC)https://www.olimex.com/Products/Retro-Computers/RVPC/open-source-hardware

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2024, 06:02:07 pm
content: Two more things to consider when selecting a board are the programmer and the PC interface. Some boards have onboard USB programmer (e.g. FT232) and some have also a second USB channel for PC data connectivity (e.g. FT2232).