|
|
|
|
|
|
by gergoerdi
1963 days ago
|
|
|
They could put a tiny microcontroller that has a USB HID host and translates to PS/2 connected to the FPGA. So you have a USB socket on one side, you plug your normal USB keyboard or mouse into it, then that socket is connected to the microcontroller, and there are two wires (PS/2 clock and data) connecting the microcontroller to the FPGA. Some hobbyist and educational FPGA dev boards do that, because handling PS/2 on the FPGA is so much easier than raw USB. Here is one example: https://reference.digilentinc.com/reference/programmable-log... "The Auxiliary Function microcontroller (Microchip PIC24FJ128) provides the Nexys A7 with USB Embedded HID host capability. " |
|
|
I was struck by just how little there is on that board other than the Spartan-6 FPGA; which looks to be one of the smallest versions of what is now a 10 year old design.
There's one SOP/SOIC-8 package by the FPGA which I assume is configuration flash. One 50MHz crystal near to that. Some power regulation on the right-hand side of the board. One Alliance SRAM package. And that's it other than the passives and connectors!
I guess it's possible there's some interesting stuff on the other side but I'm doubting it.
EDIT: Wow I see they are selling this for GBP 300; which is over USD 400. You really aren't paying for the hardware; this has less content than a USD 70 dev board.