OnChip Open-V Open Source 32-bit RISC-V Processor Launched on CrowdSupply

Open source hardware gives mostly full control over software and hardware, but there are different levels of openess, with some companies wrongly claiming their product to be open source hardware – with a nice accompanying logo – once they dump some source code somewhere and publish the PDF schematics, while others are doing it right with the release of schematics and PCB layout in source format, as well as software and proper documentation. However even for the latter group, the actual chips are closed source bought directly from silicon vendors or their distributors. So the good news is that you now have the opportunity to bring the meaning of open source hardware to a whole new level thanks to OnChip Open-V 32-bit  processor that is open source, and getting launched on Crowd Supply crowdfunding platform.

open-vOnChip Open-V is based on RISC-V (pronounced “risk-five”), comes with peripherals, and should be competitive against ARM Cortex M0 based micro-controllers. The MCU would also be the first RISC-V chip available on the market.

Open-V chip specifications:

  • Processor – RISC-V ISA version 2.1 @ up to 160 MHz
  • Memory – 8 KB SRAM
  • Clock – 32 KHz – 160 MHz; Two PLLs, user-tunable with muxers and frequency dividers
  • Analog Signals
    • 2x 10-bit ADC channels, each running at up to 10 MS/s
    • 2x 12-bit DAC channels
  • Timers
    • 1x general-purpose 16-bit timer
    • 1x 16-bit watch dog timer (WDT)
  • General Purpose Input/Ouput
    • 16x programmable GPIO pins
    • 2x external interrupts
  • Interfaces
    • SDIO port for example to add a micro SD slot
    • 2x SPI ports, I2C, UART
  • Programming and Testing
    • Built-in debug module for use with gdb and JTAG
    • Programmable PRBS-31/15/7 generator and checker for interconnect testing
  • 1.2 V operation
  • Package – QFN-32
Open-V vs
Open-V vs STM32L0 vs PIC32MX vs SAMD21 vs EFM32Z vs LPC812M vs MSP430F vs  ATMega-328p

You can find the complete OnChip Open-V design, including the RTL (register-transfer level) files for the CPU and peripherals, as well as the development and testing tools in Github, all released under the MIT license. The source can be used to teach silicon designs, debug and correct errors in the chip without asking the vendor, and if you plan to roll your own cut reducing costs by cutting out licensing fees.

Development Board for Open-V RISC-V MCU
Development Board for Open-V RISC-V MCU

Now most people would not be able to do much with just the MCU only, so the company will also develop an Open-V development board with the following specifications:

  • MCU – 32-pin QFN Open-V microcontroller
  • Storage – 32 KB EEPROM, microSD receptacle
  • USB – 1x USB 2.0 controller + micro USB port for power and data
  • Expansion – Breadboard-compatible breakout header pins
  • Debugging – JTAG connector
  • Power – 1.2 V and 3.3 V voltage regulators
  • Dimensions: 55 mm x 30 mm

The board will be programmed with the Arduino IDE, so it should be not harder than programming any Arduino boards, or any platforms using the popular IDE.

However, getting silicon to market is an expensive endeavor, and the only way to bring prices down to to manufacture millions of units. OnChip is starting small with a first target of 70,000 chips, which still converts to a $480,000 funding target. There are several ways to help reach that goal starting with a $49 “Chip Pioneer” reward to get on of the first chips to be manufactured, but the most popular reward is likely to be Open-V development board going for $99. Shipping is free to the US and $7 to the rest of the world. You’ll also have to patient, quite understandably due to the task at hand,  as rewards are only expected to ship in April and May 2018, unless you pledge for one of the most expensive rewards giving access to early chips in May 2017.

Thanks to Nanik the tip.

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11 Comments
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Theguyuk
Theguyuk
7 years ago

Wonder if they could work with the Chinese companies making all the cheap £1.99 arduino clones, like them or not they know how to manufacture cheaply and not all are did quality.

Mic_s
7 years ago

Shipping starts May/June 2018, in roughly 16 months. That may be to late. At that time point, there will be some very strong RISC V competition.

Claude Nobs
Claude Nobs
7 years ago


didn’t he mean that the chinese clones also have relatively low volume of their arduino clone chips… i doubt they sell way more than 70’000? besides the difference between the $99, $149 & $199 tier (board, board+5chips, board+15chips) hint’s that they get them for less than $10, maybe even less than $5 per chip… so the $49 pioneer reward is 90% for marketing, r&d, s&h, … 🙁

anon
anon
7 years ago

So, making a chip is expensive, making a board isn’t. With chip at $49, a board at $65 could give them a chance to collect their funding. Also, if deliverables are in 16 months, and funding goal is so high, making a campaign some 90 days would also make it more realistic. Looks like a false start otherwise, though I’ll pledge something just to support the idea.

lumpi
lumpi
7 years ago

QFN isnt the most clever decision either QFP is handsolderable QFN… I doubt so…

cb88
cb88
7 years ago

@lumpi
QFN is acutally easier to solder in my book… QFN and QFP are both chips that should ideally be drag soldered especially at larger pin counts. Soldering a pin at a time will likely lead to overheating the chip.

So if you must drag solder QFN is much easier in my book as it is harder to bridge solder joints assuming you applied plenty of flux …. it is a bit harder to align initially but the actual soldering part of it is much easier and more reliable.

Theguyuk
Theguyuk
7 years ago

Well 13 days left and only 10% funded, will it sink or sail?

2 years ago

Indeed, I just learned of this right here and now.

Khadas VIM4 SBC