Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) are integrated circuits that can be programmed as per desired application after their manufacturing. Due to their flexibility, they can be used in different areas to achieve the desired purpose.
Fomu is one such tiny FPGA that can fit inside a USB port. It is a fully open-source device that ships with 4 buttons and an RGB LED. Fomu comes in its own plastic enclosure that fits perfectly in a USB Type-A port.
What makes Fomu more special is the fact that it’s capable of running a RISC-V core, which is a fast-growing processor architecture that has the potential to impact the current computing field in a big manner.
Coming back to the FPGA part, you can load any code on it via USB. Fomu allows Python development with the help of compatibility with FμPy, which is a MicroPython port.
Here are its general specifications:
- FPGA: Lattice ICE40UP5K
- Speed: 48 MHz external oscillator
- RAM: 128 kB RAM for soft CPU
- Storage: 1 MB SPI flash
- Connectivity: USB 2.0 FS (12 Mbps)
- Buttons: Four
- LEDs: One RGB
Fomu was launched a week ago on Crowdsuppy. Till date, the project has managed to raise $13,000 of the $10,000 goal. You can go ahead and support the project for $39 and get a pre-flashed Fomu and a plastic case.
