This month, new add-on boards supported by the Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone Black have been launched in the form of Newark Element14’s new ValentFX Logi-Pi and Logi-Bone FPGA boards.
The new boards support both Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone Black and feature Arduino and PMOD hooks. These boards were originally shown as concepts back in September 2013 at the New York Maker Faire. The introduction of these boards marks a significant advancement in the capabilities of these popular single-board computers.
Features and Specifications
The Logi-Boards integrate Xilinx SPARTAN-6 XC6SLX9 FPGAs and plug into the Linux-based Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black hacker boards, respectively. This integration is made possible thanks to a partnership with Newark Element14. The boards are designed to enhance the functionality of the Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone Black by providing additional processing power and flexibility through FPGA technology.
ValentFX and Newark have also launched a $45.48 Logi-Edu educational board add-on that aims to teach everyday hackers the mysteries of FPGA. This educational board is a valuable resource for those looking to delve into the world of FPGA development, offering a hands-on approach to learning.
The Logi Ecosystem
ValentFX has built a complete “open-source closed-loop” development platform called the Logi Ecosystem, designed to ease the difficulties of FPGA development. The Logi Ecosystem addresses several challenges associated with FPGA development, including:
– Expensive Programming Tools: Traditional FPGA development often requires costly software and hardware tools. The Logi Ecosystem aims to provide more affordable alternatives.
– Non-Standard Expansion Hardware Interfaces: Many FPGA development platforms use proprietary interfaces, making it difficult to integrate with other hardware. The Logi Ecosystem uses standard interfaces like Arduino and PMOD hooks to ensure compatibility.
– Wiring Interfaces to Existing Embedded Platforms: Creating wiring interfaces for embedded platforms can be complex and time-consuming. The Logi Ecosystem simplifies this process by providing pre-designed interfaces.
– High Learning Curve with HDL Programming: Hardware Description Language (HDL) programming can be challenging for beginners. The Logi Ecosystem includes educational resources and tools to help users overcome this learning curve.
The Logi-Edu board is part of this ecosystem and is specifically designed to make FPGA development more accessible to a broader audience. It provides a practical introduction to FPGA concepts and applications, making it an excellent tool for both hobbyists and educators.
For more information on the new add-on boards, jump over to the Linux Gizmos website for details via the link below.
Source: Linux Gizmos
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