Raspberry Pi enthusiasts at SRKH Designs in Sydney, Australia have created a new Raspberry Pi hat called the NovaPi NP01. This innovative hat features a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA, designed to suit Raspberry Pi and its clones. A small production run of just 25 Raspberry Pi HATs is being made available, with each one priced at AU$399 or roughly £225. Once the crowdfunding campaign comes to an end, worldwide shipping will start in October 2019.
Key Features and Applications
The NovaPi NP01 offers a range of features that make it a versatile addition to any Raspberry Pi setup. Possible applications for the stackable Raspberry Pi Virtex-5 FPGA HAT include:
– Large fabric fast FPGA device: The Virtex-5 FPGA is known for its high performance and large fabric, making it suitable for complex computational tasks.
– 4x Digilent Pmod compatible headers, 1x SDRAM & 2x independent SRAM ICs: These headers and memory options provide extensive interfacing capabilities and memory resources for various applications.
– Suitable for development in Verilog and VHDL: The hat supports development in both Verilog and VHDL, which are popular hardware description languages used in FPGA programming.
– Multiple boards can be stacked on Raspberry Pi: Boards can be stacked either in series (e.g., bus interpretation) or in parallel (e.g., bus decoding, multiple interfacing), offering flexibility in design and application.
– RPi IOT-enabled FPGA: The hat enables Internet of Things (IoT) applications, allowing for remote monitoring and control.
– Low power wide operating voltage 3.3V-6V: The hat operates at a low power and wide voltage range, making it energy-efficient and versatile for various power supply conditions.
Additional Details and Potential Use Cases
The NovaPi NP01 is not just another Raspberry Pi accessory; it opens up a plethora of possibilities for developers and hobbyists alike. Here are some additional details and potential use cases:
– Educational Tool: The NovaPi NP01 can be an excellent educational tool for students and educators in the field of digital design and embedded systems. It provides hands-on experience with FPGA development, which is invaluable for understanding complex digital systems.
– Prototyping and Development: For engineers and developers, the hat can serve as a powerful prototyping tool. Its stackable nature allows for the creation of multi-functional systems without the need for extensive wiring and setup.
– IoT and Automation: With its IoT capabilities, the NovaPi NP01 can be used in various automation projects. For instance, it can be integrated into smart home systems, industrial automation, and remote monitoring solutions.
– Research and Innovation: Researchers working on advanced computing and digital signal processing can leverage the high-performance capabilities of the Virtex-5 FPGA. The hat can be used in projects ranging from artificial intelligence to real-time data processing.
Watch the demonstration video below to learn more about the stackable Virtex-5 FPGA Pi HAT and its features.
The NovaPi NP01 is a testament to the growing ecosystem of Raspberry Pi accessories that push the boundaries of what these tiny computers can achieve. Whether you are a hobbyist looking to explore FPGA development or a professional in need of a robust prototyping tool, the NovaPi NP01 offers a compelling solution.
Source: Kickstarter
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