Summary of GLASGOW INTERFACE EXPLORER IS A HARDWARE DEBUGGING TOOL FOR DIGITAL ELECTRONICS
The Glasgow Interface Explorer is an open source multi-tool designed for digital electronics debugging and interfacing, launched by 1BitSquared via crowdfunding. It features a Lattice Semi iCE40HX8K FPGA and offers versatile connectivity through USB-C, multiple GPIO banks with programmable voltage regulators, ADC monitoring, high-speed interfaces, ESD protection, and various user and status LEDs. The device targets hardware developers and hobbyists seeking a flexible, compact solution to communicate with digital devices without needing extra components.
Parts used in the Glasgow Interface Explorer:
- Lattice Semiconductor iCE40HX8K FPGA
- USB-C port
- FX2 high-speed USB interface
- 2x 8-channel GPIO banks
- Programmable linear voltage regulators (1.8 – 5V, 150 mA)
- Sense ADC for voltage and current monitoring
- 16 highly flexible GPIOs with level shifters and pull-up/-down resistors
- ESD protection diodes for all GPIOs
- 14x differential pair I/O (optional)
- 5x User-controlled LEDs
- 5x Status LEDs
- 1x Dedicated SYNC connector
1BitSquared has launched a crowdfunding campaign for a highly capable and extremely flexible open source multi-tool called Glasgow Interface Explorer.
Glasgow Interface Explorer for digital electronics is powered by Lattice Semi iCE40 FPGA and created for hardware developers, electronics hobbyists, engineers, tinkerers, and anyone else who wants to communicate with a wide selection of digital devices with minimum hassle.
The board aims to offer a broad selection of capabilities with more than “some wires and, depending on the device under test, external power.” You can attach it to devices without any need for extra active or passive components.
Some of its Key Features and Specifications include:
- iCE40HX8K Lattice Semiconductor FPGA
- 1x USB-C port connected to FX2 high-speed USB interface; 480 Mbps throughput
- 2x 8-channel GPIO banks, each with:
- A dedicated programmable linear voltage regulator, configurable from 1.8 – 5V with up to 150 mA of power
- A dedicated sense ADC capable of monitoring the GPIO bank voltage and current, with interrupt trigger thresholds that can be set
- 16 highly flexible GPIOs, each with:
- A peak frequency of 100MHz
- A dedicated level shifter with individual direction control, and,
- An independent, software-controlled 10K Ohm resistor Pull-Up/-Down resistor
- ESD protection diodes for all GPIOs
- Set of 14x differential pair I/O, connected directly to the FPGA (optional); can be used for high speed interfaces
- Up to 5x User-controlled LEDs
- Up to 5x Status LEDs, and,
- 1x Dedicated SYNC connector
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