Summary of STEP-MXO2 FPGA DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR EDUCATIONAL LEARNING
STEP-MXO2 is a compact, breadboard-friendly FPGA development board built around the Lattice MachXO2 (LCMXO2-4000HE) aimed at education and prototyping. It includes onboard JTAG via Micro-USB, clock source, 2-character 7-seg display, RGB LEDs, switches, push buttons, eight user LEDs, 36 routed user I/Os (30 GPIO + SPI and I2C dual-function pins), PLLs, embedded RAM and Flash, and fits solderless breadboards or standard sockets.
Parts used in the STEP-MXO2 FPGA development board:
- Lattice MachXO2 FPGA LCMXO2-4000HE-4MG132
- On-board JTAG programming circuit (Micro-USB connector)
- 2-character 7-segment display
- Two RGB LEDs
- Four switches
- Four push buttons
- Eight user LEDs
- 40-pin DIP connector with 36 user I/Os (30 GPIOs, 4 SPI-capable pins, 2 I2C-capable pins)
- On-board clock source
- Embedded Flash memory (on MachXO2)
- Two PLLs (on MachXO2)
- 10 Kbits of embedded RAM (on MachXO2)
- Micro-USB power input (5V DC)
EIM technology has come up with STEP-MXO2 FPGA development board, a compact, breadboard-friendly, and easy-to-learn hardware design platform built around the Lattice MachXO2 FPGA. It is targeted mainly for educational purposes. Hence, it offers several features that allow users to implement a wide range of designed circuits, from simple circuits to various creative applications.
STEP-MXO2 FPGA is a compact 40-pin DIP FPGA development board. The board is both robust and portable, and it needs a power supply of 5V DC input through a Micro-USB connector. The hardware features an onboard JTAG Programmer, clock source, 7-Segment Displays, LEDs, GPIOs, and much more. Because of these components, it is a formidable platform for designing digital logic circuits and Micro32 embedded soft-core processors using Lattice Diamond software. Hence, STEP-MXO2 becomes the ideal option for learning FPGA, evaluating, and prototyping the true potential of the MXO2 FPGA by using all of these features.
Technical Specifications Of STEP-MXO2 FPGA
- Lattice MachXO2 FPGA: LCMXO2-4000HE-4MG132
- On-Board JTAG Programming circuit (Normal Micro-USB connector)
- 2-character 7-segment display
- Two RGB LEDs
- Four switches
- Four push buttons
- Eight user LEDs
- Power from MicroUSB connector
- 40 pins DIP connector with 36 User I/Os
Additionally, the onboard MachXO2-4000HC FPGA provides embedded Flash technology for instanton, non-volatile operation on a single chip. All connections are through the MachXO2 chip to provide maximum flexibility for the user. This allows the user to customize the FPGA to implement any system design. Numerous system functions are also included, such as two PLLs and 10 Kbits of embedded RAM plus hardened implementations of I2C, and user Flash memory.
You can integrate your programmable design directly into solderless breadboards by routing 36 digital FPGA I/O signals to 100-mil-spaced through-hole pins. These 36 user I/Os comprise 30 GPIOs, four dual-functional pins default to SPI interface, and two dual-functional pins default to I2C interface. It also loads into a standard socket for using it in embedded systems. Thanks to its small size of 0.72 inches by 2.05 inches.
The motive of creating STEP-MXO2 according to Tindie:
It is difficult to learn FPGA, not only because the content and material are complex to understand, but also access to the hardware is challenging. However,it aims at an educational purpose for entering level to learn FPGA.
Read more: STEP-MXO2 FPGA DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR EDUCATIONAL LEARNING
- What FPGA is used on the STEP-MXO2?
The board uses the Lattice MachXO2 FPGA LCMXO2-4000HE-4MG132. - How is the STEP-MXO2 powered?
It is powered by 5V DC through a Micro-USB connector. - Can the STEP-MXO2 be used on a solderless breadboard?
Yes, 36 FPGA I/O signals are routed to 100-mil-spaced through-hole pins for solderless breadboard integration. - Does the board include an onboard programmer?
Yes, it includes an onboard JTAG programming circuit accessible via Micro-USB. - How many user I/Os are available and what are their default functions?
There are 36 user I/Os: 30 GPIOs, four dual-functional pins default to SPI, and two dual-functional pins default to I2C. - What user interface components are provided on the board?
The board provides a 2-character 7-segment display, two RGB LEDs, four switches, four push buttons, and eight user LEDs. - Does the MachXO2 on-board support non-volatile operation?
Yes, the MachXO2 provides embedded Flash technology for non-volatile operation on a single chip. - What embedded resources does the MachXO2 provide?
It provides two PLLs, 10 Kbits of embedded RAM, hardened I2C implementation, and user Flash memory.
