From 911676ecc3ddef9403e99f3578691ead9026aeae Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Luke Valenty Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2018 14:30:02 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] Update README.md --- README.md | 39 ++++++++++++++++++++++----------------- 1 file changed, 22 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index e7e1bf8..51b8521 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -1,5 +1,10 @@ # TinyFPGA BX -The TinyFPGA BX board is a tiny FPGA board with low cost per logic element and convenient USB bitstream programming capability. It measures just 18mm x 36mm and is a perfect fit for breadboards. The heart of the BX board is a iCE40LP8K-CM81 FPGA from Lattice. For full details on the ICE40 series of FPGAs you can read the [ICE40 Family Handbook](http://www.latticesemi.com/~/media/LatticeSemi/Documents/Handbooks/iCE40FamilyHandbook.pdf). +The TinyFPGA BX board is a tiny FPGA board with low cost per logic element and convenient USB bitstream programming capability. It measures just 18mm x 36mm and is a perfect fit for breadboards. The heart of the BX board is a iCE40LP8K-CM81 FPGA from Lattice. + +## Getting Started on the BX +The (TinyFPGA BX User Guide)[https://tinyfpga.com/bx/guide.html] will help you get up and running with the BX. + +For full details on the ICE40 series of FPGAs you can read the [ICE40 Family Handbook](http://www.latticesemi.com/~/media/LatticeSemi/Documents/Handbooks/iCE40FamilyHandbook.pdf). ## Specifications - Height: 1.4 inches, width: 0.7 inches @@ -15,6 +20,22 @@ The TinyFPGA BX board is a tiny FPGA board with low cost per logic element and c - 1.3 mA power when active - 50 ppm stability. +## Project Directory Structure +### board +This contains a [KiCad](http://kicad-pcb.org/) project with the schematic and layout of the B-series boards. The board is designed with 4/4mil track size/spacing and 0.2mm hole size. BOM list for the BX board is available here as well. + +### icecube2_template +This is a template iCEcube2 project for developing your own designs to program onto the board. It takes care of pin and clock constraints. Just edit the TinyFPGA_BX.v file to add your designs module(s). + +### icestorm_template +This is a template IceStorm project for developing your own designs to program onto the board. It takes care of pin and clock constraints. Just edit the TinyFPGA_BX.v file to add your designs module(s). Use `make` to build your project. + +## Project Log +For more information on the development and production of the B-Series please read and follow the [TinyFPGA B-Series Project Page](https://hackaday.io/project/26848-tinyfpga-b-series) at hackaday.io. + +## License +The TinyFPGA BX project is an open source project licensed under CERN Open Hardware Licence v1.2. Please see the included LICENSE file for details. If you do wish to distribute boards derived from this open source hardware project then you must also release the source files for the boards under CERN Open Hardware Licence v1.2. You are free to do this, but please improve upon the original design and provide a tangible benefit for users of the board. + ## Building your own TinyFPGA BX Board It is possible to build the TinyFPGA BX boards by hand in a home lab. However, it uses tiny 0402 surface mount capacitors and resistors and the iCE40 FPGAs used are in a 81 ball BGA package with 0.4mm pitch between the balls. It is a challenging undertaking and will most likely result in some bad assembled boards along with the good. I have used the following with success to hand assemble the prototype boards: + Parts for the [TinyFPGA BX](https://octopart.com/bom-tool/ALrZVouf) @@ -33,19 +54,3 @@ It is possible to build the TinyFPGA BX boards by hand in a home lab. However, ## Buy TinyFPGA BX Boards If you don't want to go through the hassle of ordering parts, tools, and supplies and assembling the boards yourself you can order professionally assembled and tested boards from [Crowd Supply](https://www.crowdsupply.com/tinyfpga/tinyfpga-bx). These boards are not hobbyist-made, they are fabricated and assembled in a professional PCB fab that manufactures and assembles many other consumer, industrial and military electronics. They go through an automated testing and programming process to ensure the board is healthy and ready to program over USB. When the Crowd Supply campaign ends and all the backers orders are shipped the boards will become available on Tindie and the TinyFPGA Store. - -## Project Directory Structure -### board -This contains a [KiCad](http://kicad-pcb.org/) project with the schematic and layout of the B-series boards. The board is designed with 4/4mil track size/spacing and 0.2mm hole size. BOM list for the BX board is available here as well. - -### icecube2_template -This is a template iCEcube2 project for developing your own designs to program onto the board. It takes care of pin and clock constraints. Just edit the TinyFPGA_BX.v file to add your designs module(s). - -### icestorm_template -This is a template IceStorm project for developing your own designs to program onto the board. It takes care of pin and clock constraints. Just edit the TinyFPGA_BX.v file to add your designs module(s). Use `make` to build your project. - -## Project Log -For more information on the development and production of the B-Series please read and follow the [TinyFPGA B-Series Project Page](https://hackaday.io/project/26848-tinyfpga-b-series) at hackaday.io. - -## License -The TinyFPGA BX project is an open source project licensed under CERN Open Hardware Licence v1.2. Please see the included LICENSE file for details. If you do wish to distribute boards derived from this open source hardware project then you must also release the source files for the boards under CERN Open Hardware Licence v1.2. You are free to do this, but please improve upon the original design and provide a tangible benefit for users of the board.