Sipeed Tang Primer 20K Dock FPGA Development Kit

Specifications

• FPGA Core: GW2A-LV18 (GW2A-18C)
• Logic Units (LUTs): 20,736
• Clock Speed: High-speed internal PLLs available
• Supply Voltage: 5V via USB-C

       Memory:

• On-chip Block SRAM: 828 Kb
• On-chip B-SRAM: 41,472 bits
• On-board SDRAM: 128MB DDR3 (Essential for running soft-core Linux)

       Dock (Baseboard) Interfaces:

• Video Output: HDMI interface (via RGB to HDMI chip)
• Connectivity: Ethernet Connector (10/100M via PHY)
• USB-JTAG: Onboard BL702 debugger (No external programmer needed)
• Expansion: 4x PMOD connectors for sensors and modules
• Camera: MIPI Interface (Supports OV2640/GC0328)

Project Evolution
       From Microcontroller to Digital Architect

• Prerequisites: You should be comfortable with basic digital logic (AND/OR/NOT gates) and have pushed an Arduino or ESP32 to its limits.
• The Upgrade: Moving to the Tang Primer 20K unlocks Parallelism. Instead of waiting for a CPU to execute code line-by-line, you can design hardware circuits that execute thousands of operations simultaneously.
• The Effort: Advanced. This requires learning Verilog or SystemVerilog. However, with

Wiring & Safety

• Warning: The FPGA I/O pins operate at 3.3V Logic. Do not connect 5V sensors directly to the PMOD headers without a logic level converter, or you will damage the I/O banks.
• Power Supply: Use a high-quality USB-C cable. Heavy utilization (HDMI + Ethernet + Camera) can draw over 500mA. Ensure your USB port can supply adequate current.
• Debugger Connection: The board has an onboard BL702 chip that acts as a USB-to-JTAG bridge. Connect the USB-C cable labeled "Debugger" to your PC. You do not need an external ST-Link or J-Link.

Package Includes:

• 1x Sipeed Tang Primer 20K Core Board
• 1x Dock Baseboard (Pre-assembled)
• 1x USB-C Cable
• 1x USB-C OTG Conveter
• 1x 8 Pin 0.1mm to 2.54mm Terminal wires

Applications & Projects

• RISC-V Soft Core Development: Run PicoRV32 or full Linux builds on the FPGA fabric using the 128MB DDR3.
• Retro Gaming Emulation: Perfect for NES/SNES FPGA implementations (MiSTer-lite projects) via the HDMI output.
• Computer Vision Acceleration: Process camera feeds via the MIPI interface in real-time with hardware acceleration.
• Industrial Protocol Analysis: Use the high-speed I/O to sniff or emulate complex industrial bus protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Does this kit include the programmer? Yes, the Dock has an onboard BL702 USB-JTAG debugger. You just need a USB-C cable.
• Can I run Linux on this board? Yes, the 128MB DDR3 memory allows for running lightweight Linux distributions on a RISC-V soft core.
• Is the IDE free to use? Yes, the Gowin EDA software is free to use (Standard Version) after registering on their website.
• What is the difference between the "Core" and "Dock" version? The Core is just the CPU module. The Dock (this product) adds HDMI, Ethernet, and PMOD headers for actual usage.
• Does it support Verilog? Yes, Gowin IDE supports Verilog, SystemVerilog, and VHDL.
• Can I use this for AI acceleration? Yes, the DSP resources on the GW2A-18 make it suitable for basic edge-AI neural network acceleration.
• What cameras are compatible? It generally supports 18-pin DVP cameras (like OV2640) or specific MIPI modules supported by Sipeed.
• Does it have WiFi? No, the board has Ethernet. For WiFi, you would need to add a PMOD WiFi module.
• What is the logic voltage of the GPIO? The GPIO pins on the PMOD headers are 3.3V.
• Is this compatible with open-source tools like Yosys? There is experimental support for Gowin FPGAs in the open-source Apicula project, but the official IDE is recommended for stability.
• How do I power the board? Via the USB-C port on the Dock.
• Can I use this to learn FPGA programming from scratch? Yes, though it is a powerful board, it is suitable for beginners who want "room to grow" unlike smaller FPGAs.
• Does it support HDMI audio? The HDMI interface is primarily for video. Audio handling depends on your specific HDL implementation.
• How many PMOD ports are there? There are 4 standard PMOD ports on the Dock baseboard.
• What is the maximum resolution for HDMI? It typically supports up to 1080p output, depending on the complexity of your display controller logic.
• Is the DDR3 memory easy to use? It requires a memory controller IP (provided in Gowin IDE) to interface with the FPGA fabric.
• Can I replace the core board later? Yes, the core board connects via an M.2-style connector and can be swapped if upgraded versions are released.
• Does it come with a case? No, this is a bare PCB development kit.
• Why is this more expensive than the Tang Nano? The Primer 20K has significantly more logic cells (20K vs 4K/9K), DDR3 RAM, and more physical ports (Ethernet/HDMI).