Sundance DSP
FPGA Boards
Machine Learning
Back this project to help bring it into existence.
Funding ends on May 08, 2025 at 04:59 PM PDT.
TinyBeast FPGA is a compact and powerful processing solution designed to accelerate industrial and embedded computing applications. Leveraging Microchip’s PolarFire FPGA technology, TinyBeast FPGA offloads demanding tasks from the central processor, enhancing system performance and enabling real-time data processing. Its small form factor makes it ideal for space-constrained environments, while its high-performance capabilities ensure efficiency in automation, measurement, and robotics applications.
TinyBeast FPGA enhances efficiency across key industrial domains:
With the MPF-300 PolarFire FPGA, both TinyBeast FPGA P and S unlock Microchip’s VectorBlox technology. This hardware acceleration engine enhances AI inferencing for real-time processing of complex algorithms, enabling applications such as predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and industrial image recognition.
| SE-216 | SE215 | |
|---|---|---|
| PCIe Interface | PCIe x1 Gen2 EP | PCIe x1 Gen2 EP/RC |
| SoM Compatibility | SoM3-MPF300T | SoM3-MPF300T / PolarBerry |
| FMC Connector Type | HPC | LPC |
| Voltage Options | 1.8V, 2.5V | 1.2V, 1.8V, 2.5V |
| Ethernet Interface | RJ45 1Gb | RJ45 100/1000Mb |
| Optical Interface | Not available | SFP+ (10Gb/1Gb) |
| DisplayPort Interface | Not available | Available |
| MicroSD Card Slot | Not available | Available |
| GPIO Header Voltage | Selectable (1.8V/2.5V) | Fixed (3.3V) |
| Maximum Power | 35W | 35W |
| Standalone Operation | No | Yes (via external 12V power) |
| TinyBeast FPGA P-300 | TinyBeast FPGA P-100 | TinyBeast FPGA S-300 | TinyBeast FPGA S-100 | PicoEVB Artix-7 | Mars ZX2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FPGA Family | Microchip PolarFire | Microchip PolarFire | Microchip PolarFire | Microchip PolarFire | Artix XC7A50T | AMD Zynq |
| Configuration Type | Flash-Based | Flash-Based | Flash-Based | Flash-Based | SRAM-Based | SRAM-Based |
| Logic Elements | 300 K | 100 K | 300 K | 100 K | 52 K | 17.6 K |
| Embedded RAM (On FPGA) | 10.6 Mb | 5.2 Mb | 10.6 Mb | 5.2 Mb | 2.7 Mb | 1.92 Mb |
| DSP Blocks | 924 | 288 | 924 | 288 | 120 | 80 |
| Security Features | Anti-tamper, DPA-resistant, ECC | Anti-tamper, DPA-resistant, ECC | Anti-tamper, DPA-resistant, ECC | Anti-tamper, DPA-resistant, ECC | Basic encryption | Basic encryption |
| Transceivers | Up to 12.7 Gbps | Up to 12.7 Gbps | Up to 12.7 Gbps | Up to 12.7 Gbps | Up to 6.6 Gbps | - |
| RAM on Module | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | - | 512 MB |
| Clocking | - | - | Flexible clocking IC – SI5338A-B-GM with 25 MHz ±10ppm reference oscillator | Flexible clocking IC – SI5338A-B-GM with 25 MHz ±10ppm reference oscillator | - | - |
| Ethernet | - | - | 10/100/1000 Mbit Ethernet PHY on board | 10/100/1000 Mbit Ethernet PHY on board | - | 10/100/1000 Mbit Ethernet PHY on board |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe x1 Gen2 | PCIe X1 Gen2 | PCIe X1 Gen2 (Via carrier card) | PCIe X1 Gen2 (Via carrier card) | PCIe x1 Gen 2 | - |
The video below explores the TinyBeast FPGA block diagram, example software, and DMA functions:
We are committed to an open development environment and have released our resources as part of our open-source initiative. These resources are available at our GitHub repository: TinyBeast Repository
These resources will be continually updated to support and engage our developer community.
TinyBeast FPGA will be produced in collaboration with experienced manufacturing partners. Our process includes:
The boards are made in the USA to ensure the highest security and reliability.
After our production run is complete, we will package everything up and send it along to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will handle distribution to backers worldwide. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.
We have already manufactured prototypes of these boards, tested them extensively, and validated the design and production process. This significantly reduces the risk of unexpected technical issues.
With more than 25 years of experience in designing and manufacturing FPGA-based systems, we are highly confident in our ability to produce and deliver TinyBeast FPGA with the highest quality standards. However, potential challenges include:
"Compact boards aim to deliver an easy route to custom logic and edge AI acceleration through Microchip's VectorBlox."
Produced by Sundance DSP in Reno, NV.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
TinyBeast FPGA P-300 Mini PCIe accelerator card powered by a Microchip MPF300T PolarFire FPGA
TinyBeast FPGA P-100 Mini PCIe accelerator card powered by a Microchip MPF100T PolarFire FPGA
TinyBeast FPGA S-300 accelerator card powered by a Microchip MPF300T PolarFire FPGA
TinyBeast FPGA S-100 accelerator card powered by a Microchip MPF100T PolarFire FPGA
Breakout board to simplify interfacing with the IO connections supplied by our TinyBeast FPGA P cards
PCIe x1 Gen 2 carrier card for TinyBeast FPGA S with various interfaces to support connectivity and expansion. Draws up to 35 W of power and provides a DisplayPort connector for video output, a MicroSD card slot, an external 12 V power connector for standalone operation, an SFP+ connector for 10Gb/1Gb optical modules, a Micro USB port for onboard JTAG and UART, an RJ45 connector, and an FMC LPC connector with support for 1.2, 1.8, and 2.5 V.
PCIe x1 Gen 2 carrier card for TinyBeast FPGA S with various interfaces to support connectivity and expansion. Draws up to 35 W of power and provides a USB JTAG and UART bridge, an RJ45 connector, a dual-row GPIO header with selectable voltage levels, and an FMC LPC connector with support for 1.8 and 2.5 V.
We empower engineers across industries to push the boundaries of edge computing. Our powerful and versatile System-on-Modules (SoMs) and rugged OpenVPX solutions are ideal for space-constrained environments and demanding applications like autonomous vehicles and industrial automation.
