Sipeed Tang Primer 25K Dock FPGA Development Kit (Gowin GW5A / 23K LUTs)

Specifications

• Core FPGA: Gowin GW5A-LV25MG121

• Logic Capacity: 23,040 LUT4, 23,040 Registers (FF)

• DSP Resources: 28 (18x18 multipliers)

• On-board Memory (Core): 64Mbit SPI Flash

• Expansion Ports (Dock): 3x PMOD, 1x 40-pin Header (SDRAM/Camera)

• USB Interfaces: 1x USB-C (Power + JTAG/UART), 1x USB-A (USB 1.1 Host)

• User I/O: 2x Tactile Buttons, 4x User LEDs

• Dimensions (Dock): 64mm x 40mm

• Dimensions (Core): 23mm x 18mm

Downloads & links:

• Buying Guide - The Next Generation of FPGA Prototyping: Tang Primer 25K DOCK
• Datasheet

Key Applications and Projects

• RISC-V Softcore Experimentation: Instantiating custom RISC-V CPUs inside the FPGA fabric to learn computer architecture deeply.

• Vintage Hardware Emulation: Combining PMOD HDMI and gamepad modules to build custom retro gaming consoles natively in hardware.

• High-Speed Signal Processing: Utilizing the 28 DSP multipliers for real-time digital audio or video filtering pipelines.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution) The Custom Hardware Game Console: Break away from standard software emulation! Using the Tang Primer 25K Dock, you can physically recreate classic 8-bit or 16-bit gaming architectures purely in Verilog. Plug an HDMI PMOD module into one port for video output, and connect a generic USB controller directly into the onboard USB-A host port. You can write custom logic to parse the HID inputs and drive your hardware game logic with absolute zero software latency!

PACKAGE INCLUDED

• 1 x Sipeed Tang Primer 25K Core Board

• 1 x Sipeed Tang Primer 25K Dock Baseboard

• 1 x USB Type-A to Type-C Data/Power Cable

• 1 x Clear Protective Storage Box

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What FPGA chip does this development board use? The board is powered by the Gowin GW5A-LV25MG121 FPGA.

2. How many logic elements are available? It provides 23,040 Logic Elements (LUT4) and 23,040 registers (FF) for your digital designs.

3. Do I need an external JTAG programmer to upload code? No, the Dock baseboard features an onboard high-speed debugger that operates through the USB Type-C port.

4. What is the large 40-pin header used for? The 40-pin (2x20) header is designed for high-bandwidth peripherals, allowing you to plug in SDRAM modules or dual DVP cameras.

5. How many PMOD interfaces are available? The Dock provides three standard PMOD interfaces for easy peripheral expansion.

6. What does the USB-A port do? The USB Type-A port acts as a USB 1.1 Host, allowing you to connect HID devices like gamepads or keyboards directly to your FPGA logic.

7. Can I separate the core board from the Dock? Yes, the Tang Primer 25K uses a modular design; the ultra-small 23x18mm core board can be detached from the Dock via its BTB connectors.

8. What are the physical dimensions of the Dock baseboard? The Dock baseboard measures 64mm by 40mm.

9. Are the GPIO pins 5V tolerant? No, the GPIO pins operate at 3.3V logic. Connecting 5V sensors directly will permanently damage the FPGA.

10. How is the board powered? It is powered via the onboard USB Type-C connector. Ensure your supply can provide at least 500mA.

11. How many hardware multipliers does it have for signal processing? The GW5A-LV25 features 28 dedicated 18x18 multiplier DSP blocks.

12. Does it have onboard flash for storing bitstreams? Yes, the core board includes a 64Mbit SPI Flash chip to store your configuration.

13. Does this board support RISC-V development? Yes, the logic capacity is well-suited for deploying open-source RISC-V softcore processors.

14. Are there any user-programmable LEDs or buttons? The Dock includes 2 user-programmable tactile buttons and 4 user LEDs for quick debugging.

15. What software do I use to program this board? You will need to use the Gowin EDA software to write, synthesize, and flash your Verilog or VHDL code.

16. Does the board support MIPI interfaces? While the core board's FPGA chip has a hard-core 4-lane MIPI D-PHY, these high-speed pins are intentionally not exposed on the standard Dock baseboard.

17. What chip handles the onboard USB debugging? The onboard USB-to-JTAG/UART debugging is handled by an integrated BL616 microcontroller.

18. How many Phase-Locked Loops (PLLs) are available? The FPGA provides 6 PLLs for complex clock management.

19. What is the purpose of the 2x60P BTB connector? The Board-to-Board (BTB) connector routes power and IO signals securely between the core module and the Dock.

20. Can I connect an HDMI monitor? Yes, you can easily output video to an HDMI monitor by connecting a compatible HDMI PMOD module to one of the three PMOD interfaces.