Recent posts

#51

New Products release / Introducing the ESP32-P4-PC

Last post by olimex - February 17, 2026, 03:22:13 PM

Introducing the ESP32-P4-PC Open Source Hardware Board - the most comprehensive and feature-rich ESP32-P4 board on the market. 
From HMI systems and industrial controllers to edge AI and vision  applications - the ESP32-P4-PC gives you everything in one board.
https://olimex.wordpress.com/2026/02/17/esp32-p4-pc-open-source-hardware-board-the-most-comprehensive-and-feature-rich-esp32-p4-board-on-the-market/ #OpenSourceHardware #ESP32P4 #Olimex #RISCV #IoT #EmbeddedSystems

#52

FPGA / Re: Problem getting simplest o...

Last post by LubOlimex - February 17, 2026, 08:17:12 AM

By the way I stumbled upon this, made by another customer, might be worth checking it:

https://github.com/dpks2003/gatemate-lab

#53

FPGA / Re: Problem getting simplest o...

Last post by PaulUK_DE - February 17, 2026, 12:52:09 AM

I can confirm that the project for the blinking LED that you link to above works fine with the Legacy toolchain.  The .bit files loads fine via the jtag option and also when I use
run jtag-flash.  I change the board to "olimex_gatemateevb" in the run.bat file.

I also managed to use the run spi command, and confirm that the configuration is retained when I set the switch to 0000 and plug the USB back in.

However, when I try to use the current nightly build of the toolchain, running the openFPGALoad command is still not working.  It appears to run but the FPGA does not to be configured.

#54

FPGA / Re: Problem getting simplest o...

Last post by PaulUK_DE - February 16, 2026, 11:08:27 AM

I will try what you state in the previous message.

Since I made the post, I can conform that the board is NOT faulty.  I found the Legacy tool suit from 2025, that has the folder structure in the workspace as described in their Quick Start Guide.  I followed it, changing only the CCF constraint to point to the correct pin on the FPGA, and that worked.  It uploaded via Jtag and the LED was indeed flashing.

I was doing this with Jtag, I have not tried SPI yet.  So, with the Legacy software it works, I have yet to get it to work with the current version from the nightly builds. 

I have sent CologneChip an email describing the above to see if I am at fault or if it is something else.

Thanks for your upload, I will check it this evening.

#55

FPGA / Re: Problem getting simplest o...

Last post by LubOlimex - February 16, 2026, 08:52:31 AM

Each GateMate-EVB is tested here, one of the tests is empirical. LEDs are checked. Chances of a faulty board are close to zero. Something else is wrong.

I've now uploaded here the .bit file and top.ccf and top.v for the blinking LED so you can compare:

https://github.com/OLIMEX/GateMateA1-EVB/tree/main/SOFTWARE/blinking-led-bit-source

Important! For boards with SPI flash:

Before programming make sure that DIP switches are in ON - ON - OFF - OFF position

After programming, disconnect the USB and move DIP switches in OFF - OFF - OFF - OFF position. Then reconnect the USB and see if the LED blinks.

#56

FPGA / Problem getting simplest of ex...

Last post by PaulUK_DE - February 14, 2026, 10:43:44 AM

I just got the GateMate-EVB.  After trying the Blinky example modified for the Olimex board and getting no LED blinking, I took a step back and tried to just make the LED turn on, but I don't get any activity at all.  I had to search for information as for the commands to use since the GateMate quick start is out of date and Olimex does not provide any guides for getting started, only a brief hardware manual.  A comprehensive getting started guide is absolutely essential for something like this.

I use Windows 11 and the latest oss-cad-suite, from this week.
First I had to install the driver for the board to be recognized as a DirtyJtag device.  I set the four configuration switches to 1100 (on on off off).

I will list the commands below after I show the Verilog of the top module and configuration file showing how the led is assigned.

top.v  file:

module top(
output wire led
);
assign led = 1'b0;
endmodule

blinky.ccf

Pin_out "led" Loc = "IO_SB_B6";

After running start.bat, I ran the following commands and each finished without errors:

yosys -p "read_verilog top.v; synth_gatemate -top top -luttree -nomx8; write_json blinky.json; write_verilog blinky_netlist.v"

nextpnr-himbaechel --device=CCGM1A1 --json blinky.json -o ccf=blinky.ccf -o out=blinky.txt --router router2

gmpack blinky.txt blinky.bit

openFPGALoader --index-chain 0 -b olimex_gatemateevb blinky.bit

That should be all I need but the LED does not light despite getting the message "Done" after I think I upload.  There seems to be no check.

I get absolutely nothing.  However if I run the command:
openFPGALoader --index-chain 0 -b olimex_gatemateevb --detect
I do get some info about the FPGA, so there must be some life there.

I have spent two days searching out this information and trying it and have run out of time.  I would appreciate it if you can see if I'm doing something wrong, if not then I have a faulty board.  I also use an Alchrity FPGA board and that worked immediately.

How do I use the SPI flash memory option?  Is that via USB or do I need some other cable?  Thank you.

#57

New Products release / Magnify glass for PCB inspecti...

Last post by olimex - February 13, 2026, 12:41:47 PM

SMT components are getting smaller — but your precision doesn't have to. Whether you're in production, repair, or quality control - upgrade your inspection process with the right optical tools. https://olimex.wordpress.com/2026/02/13/smt-components-are-getting-smaller-but-your-precision-doesnt-have-to/ #pcb #inspection #magnify #glass

#58

Neo6502 / Re: Upload via Serial Problem

Last post by LubOlimex - February 13, 2026, 10:14:33 AM

I'd try with simpler USB-serial cable. Something like:

https://www.olimex.com/Products/USB-Modules/Interfaces/USB-SERIAL-F/

Or anything you can find from local shops, just make sure the data signals are at 3.3V.

If the issue remains post in the neo6502-firmware repo, it is more likely to get help there.

#59

Neo6502 / Upload via Serial Problem

Last post by fdimmling - February 12, 2026, 02:52:42 PM

I tried to upload programs from an Raspberry Pi 5 to the neo6502pc via the Mod-USB-Rs232 board. I use the Morpheus 1.0.0 firmware preinstalled. On the host side I tried nxmit.py, which gives a success message, but on the 6502 board no reaction. I suppose that I have to give some mon command to make the neo6502 receive the data but I could not find any information about the monitor commands in general and the serial receive in particular. Connecting via CuteCom Terminal on the Pi gives an UEXT Error message in response to typed in characters, thus the connection should be established, only the morpheus software cannot handle the received data. Any help is welcome.
Best regards, Friedrich
Update: Entering / at the command line does not work. It opens the serial connection which is closed as soon as a file is send or anything typed in a terminal program

#60

ESP32 / Re: New ESP32-POE-ISO - was I ...

Last post by LubOlimex - February 12, 2026, 01:58:55 PM

You guessed correct. It is the yellow arrow. The component you found at mouser is the proper one, yes.

You can also confirm it if you open the design files with KiCAD and open the board design file. Then it is clear which is U7 and which is L2. The white print label had been moved there due to other components situated nearby. Here is the BRD view: