BeagleBoard.org introduces BeagleV-Fire FPGA and RISC-V single board computer.

BeagleBoard.org, known for its open-source single-board computers (SBCs), has launched its latest creation: the BeagleV-Fire. This SBC is powered by Microchip’s PolarFire MPFS025T FCVG484E 5x core RISC-V System on Chip (SoC) with FPGA fabric, opening up new possibilities for developers, tinkerers, and the open-source community to explore the potential of RISC-V architecture and FPGA technology.
The BeagleV-Fire is the second board in the BeagleV series of SBCs from BeagleBoard.org. Like its predecessors, this board aims to revolutionize the world of embedded systems and empower developers and enthusiasts worldwide. Following the successful launch of the BeagleV-Ahead, the BeagleV-Fire represents yet another significant milestone in democratizing computer architecture and open-source hardware development.
At its core, the BeagleV-Fire harnesses the power and energy efficiency of the RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA), combined with its versatile FPGA fabric. This combination offers unparalleled opportunities for developers, hobbyists, and researchers to experiment with RISC-V technology. With its compact form factor, robust performance, and versatile I/O interfaces, the BeagleV-Fire is well-suited for a wide range of applications, including IoT devices, robotics, artificial intelligence, and embedded systems.
Some notable features of the BeagleV-Fire include a RISC-V CPU with four 64-bit RV64GC application cores and one 64-bit RV64IMAC monitor/boot core. The FPGA boasts 23K logic elements, 68 Math blocks, and 4 SerDes lanes of 12.7 Gbps. Memory-wise, it offers a Kingston 16 GB eMMC, 2 GB LPDDR4 RAM, and a microSD card socket. In terms of networking, it supports Gigabit Ethernet and M.2 Key E, with 2.4 GHz/5 GHz WiFi module compatibility. Connectivity options include USB Type-C and Serial debug. Expansion is made possible through the high-speed SYZYGY interface, a 22-pin CSI connector, and BeagleBone compatible 92-pin cape header pins.
True to BeagleBoard.org’s ethos, the BeagleV-Fire follows the principles of open-source hardware, allowing users to access and modify the board’s design and firmware. This promotes collaboration and innovation within the RISC-V community. The board comes preinstalled with Ubuntu, making it Linux-compatible out of the box.
BeagleBoard.org has a strong track record in developing open-source hardware platforms, and the launch of the BeagleV-Fire further solidifies their commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the technology community. By making the RISC-V architecture accessible to a broader audience, the BeagleV-Fire empowers developers to explore new possibilities, accelerate their projects, and contribute to the advancement of the RISC-V ecosystem.
Jason Kridner, Co-Founder of BeagleBoard.org, expressed their vision for openness, stating, “We aren’t just interested in openness at the board level, or even at the instruction-set level; we want to pave paths for everyone interested in what digital technology can enable in sensing and controlling the world around them, and BeagleV-Fire marks significant progress down that path.”
Microchip Technology’s FPGA Business Unit also commended BeagleBoard.org for their commitment to design freedom and flexibility. Bruce Weyer stated, “We share the open-source community’s commitment to design freedom and flexibility and look forward to the projects that will be built using our multi-core PolarFire SOC, which bring asymmetric processing, power efficiency, security, and reliability to intelligent edge applications.”
The BeagleV-Fire is available now, priced around $150 USD. For more information and links to distributors, visit the BeagleV-Fire webpage.

Background Information

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About Kingston:

Kingston Technology, founded in 1987, is a respected American company specializing in memory and storage solutions. They offer a diverse range of products, including memory modules, solid-state drives, USB drives, and more. Kingston is known for its reliable and high-performance storage solutions.

  

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Technology Explained

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CPU: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of a computer, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. It is the most important component of a computer system, as it is responsible for controlling all other components. CPUs are used in a wide range of applications, from desktop computers to mobile devices, gaming consoles, and even supercomputers. CPUs are used to process data, execute instructions, and control the flow of information within a computer system. They are also used to control the input and output of data, as well as to store and retrieve data from memory. CPUs are essential for the functioning of any computer system, and their applications in the computer industry are vast.

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FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are a type of technology used in the computer industry. They are integrated circuits that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. FPGAs are used in a variety of applications, including digital signal processing, networking, and embedded systems. They are also used in the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. FPGAs are advantageous because they can be reprogrammed to perform different tasks, allowing for greater flexibility and faster development times. Additionally, FPGAs are more energy efficient than traditional processors, making them ideal for applications that require low power consumption.

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M.2: M.2, also known as Next Generation Form Factor (NGFF), is a computer expansion card format that is designed to replace the outdated mSATA standard. It is thinner and longer than mSATA, which gives it a much higher data transfer rate. The M.2 format measures 22mm in width and can measure up to 110mm in length. It uses the M-key and B-key connectors to interface with PC host systems, and can connect to both SATA III and PCIe for data transfer. Due to its small size, M.2 is often used for ultra-slim laptops and netbooks, as well as in embedded SSDs for tablets and other mobile devices. It is also becoming increasingly popular in the desktop computer industry, thanks to its compactness and fast transfer speeds. This makes M.2 ideal for gaming PCs, workstations, and other demanding applications that require high levels of data throughput.

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SoC: A System-on-Chip (SoC) is a highly integrated semiconductor device that encapsulates various electronic components, including processors, memory, input/output interfaces, and often specialized hardware components, all on a single chip. SoCs are designed to provide a complete computing system or subsystem within a single chip package, offering enhanced performance, power efficiency, and compactness. They are commonly used in a wide range of devices, from smartphones and tablets to embedded systems and IoT devices, streamlining hardware complexity and facilitating efficient integration of multiple functions onto a single chip.

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