Alchitry Io Element Board

The Alchitry Io Element Board is a superb entry point into the world of digital design. The board is equipped with four 7-segment LEDs, five momentary push buttons, 24 basic LEDs, and 24 DIP switches. These features make it ideal for beginners, with numerous tutorials available that guide you through the fundamentals of FPGAs.

The Alchitry Io Element Board functions similarly to shields for an Arduino or HATs for a Raspberry Pi, but is specifically designed to work with Au and Cu FPGA Development Boards. It features four connectors on the lower side of the board, allowing it to snap onto an Au or Cu board. However, the Io does not feature any connection points on the upper side of the board, meaning stacking additional Elements on top of it is not possible.

One of the unique properties of the Alchitry Io Element Board is its ability to offer a hands-on experience in digital design. It allows users to physically interact with the board, making the learning process more engaging and enjoyable. The board's design also encourages experimentation, making it a fantastic tool for those looking to expand their knowledge and skills in FPGA.

The Alchitry Io Element Board features four 7-segment LED digits, five momentary push buttons, 24 LEDs, and 24 DIP switches. However, please note that the most recent revision (v2) has removed the external pull up capabilities for the R12 resistor.

For those looking to dive deeper into the world of FPGA, Sparkfun provides a range of resources, including a comprehensive FPGA Resource Page, the Alchitry Forums, and tutorials on topics such as 'How Does an FPGA Work?' and 'Programming an FPGA'. There are also project examples available, such as 'First FPGA Project - Getting Fancy with PWM' and 'External IO and Metastability'.

So, whether you're a beginner looking to get started in digital design, or an experienced designer looking to expand your skills, the Alchitry Io Element Board is a fantastic tool that offers a hands-on, engaging, and educational experience.