Signaloid C0-microSD Is A Compact Programmable FPGA SoM in MicroSD Form Factor

The Signaloid C0-microSD is built around Lattice Semiconductor’s iCE40UPK FPGA, designed to provide versatile computing options for systems with limited expansion capabilities. It can be used in two major configurations: a hot-pluggable FPGA module or a hot-pluggable co-processor module. Having this flexibility, engineers and developers can modify the dimensions of the device, making it suitable for multiple applications without incorporating large changes to the hardware design of the Device.

Signaloid C0-microSD is based on the iCE40UP5K FPGA

In terms of technical details, the device has some attractive features. In its center, the Lattice iCE40UP5K FPGA  allows 5,280 logic cells, 120 Kbit of dual-port block RAM, and 1 Mbit of single-port RAM. Additionally, the circuit incorporates Renesas AT25QL128A  SPI Flash of 128 Mbit which provides better configuration capabilities of non-volatile memory. The module has two onboard LEDs that provide status indication. In all, there are eleven programmable I/O pins available to the developers so that they can provide some flexibility in the design and implementation.

One of the advantages of this device is the possibility to use it with already available systems. The Signaloid C0-microSD, which has a standard microSD format, can be used as a component in a multitude of different devices. This includes low-power development boards as well as Industrial Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). Such plug-and-play concepts raise the thresholds of the costs which has to be borne while providing hardware acceleration & building computing solutions for the device.

The two modes: FPGA module mode or the co-processor module

The two modes of the Signaloid C0-microSD are designed to meet different technical requirements for the device. With the first mode–FPGA module mode–the developers are provided with the space to implement and load their custom bitstreams. In this case, in the realm of industrial automation, it might be necessary to create a unique signal processing circuit that can be embedded in a specific manufacturing sensor or to construct a dedicated communication interface to be used with robotic installation.

On the other hand, C0 RISC-V processor System-on-Chip (SoC) is the pre-loaded alternative mode. In this configuration, the module can execute applications with details being transferred using the standard SD interface, which means that it is possible to perform application tasks without the necessity of transferring files. Practical scenarios involve monitoring the temperature and vibration of industrial plants or performing several computations in a multi-sensor remote network. An interesting feature from a technical point of view is the technology of uncertainty-tracking implemented in the module. Natural sciences, including climatology, would allow tracking of initially weakly varying parameters in sophisticated models of climate systems via calculation.

The Signaloid C0-microSD is a unique solution for adding hardware acceleration in small, space-limited setups. It combines the flexibility of an FPGA with the convenience of a microSD form factor, giving developers a powerful tool for creating customized computing solutions. While it has great potential, users should carefully consider their project needs before deciding if it fits. As technology evolves, platforms like this make hardware solutions more accessible and efficient. For more details, visit the official Product Page.

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