7-18-2025 Update

Current Milestone 3: Simulating Linux

Vedula is working on implementing the ZAP SoC on the FPGA Arty xc7a100tcsg324. A Storm Core has been found to be completely implemented in an FPGA Altera, therefore we may switch to that core for implementation.

06-17-2025

Vedula has completed EthMac synth!

06-04-2025 Update

A link to the original respository of the CPU core: https://github.com/krevanth/ZAP?tab=readme-ov-file

For attribution purposes, I have forked it here: https://github.com/hatonthecat/ZAP

Vedula has completed adding SoC components to the ZAP core.

The femtoTX repository is using a non-linked fork repository: https://github.com/srvedulageth/solar_femtoTx.

However it's mainly for development purposes, rather than making them incompatible.

An ethernet controller is being added to this design, since it is needed for interfacing with a distro of Petalinux:

https://www.amd.com/en/products/software/adaptive-socs-and-fpgas/embedded-software/petalinux-sdk.html

https://www.fpgadeveloper.com/2017/11/petalinux-for-artix-7-arty-base-project.html/

Github Landing page's repository

ARMv5 compatible Linux distros

It is also the intention to develop a low-power Ethernet controller, such as 802.3cg or low power wifi (e.g 900Mhz 802.11ah).

However, the goal is to integrate and manufacture a proven and tested set of components before adding more state of the art IP cores.

Possible Ethernet macs include: https://github.com/freecores/ethmac

https://github.com/enjoy-digital/liteeth

https://github.com/xfguo/ethernet_tri_mode

https://github.com/avdssrk/Ethernet_mac

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2023/9222318 (see page 5-6 for compatibility)

"Open-Source Ethernet MAC IP Cores for FPGAs: Overview and Evaluation" 2023

https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9222318

06-02-2025

Vedula has completed synthesis of a ZAP processor on an Artix A7!:

Github repository

Vedula's notes:

"Please see Save/ dir for Synthesis report.

Added a separate Readme for convenience." Readme

5-22-2025

A Top diagram is being developed for an ARM-based SoC. The ARM chip is from the late 90s. More details to follow.

April 2025 Update

04-22-2025:

"42 of such projects have been selected for funding in the October call of the NGI Zero Commons Fund."

"From solar powered motherboards to a new high performance filesystem

The selected projects all contribute, one way or another, to the mission of the Commons Fund: reclaiming the public nature of the internet. For example, there are people working on interesting open hardware projects such as the tablet MNT Reform Touch and the Solar FemtoTX motherboard — a collaborative effort to create an ultra-low power motherboard that can run on solar power. LLM2FPGA aims to enable running open source LLMs locally on programmable chips ("FPGAs") using a fully open-source toolchain. bcachefs readies itself as the next generation filesystem for Linux, improving performance, scalability and reliability when compared to legacy filesystems."

About

Project Page

Project Summary:

Low-power motherboard that can run on solar power.

# Solar FemtoTX motherboard

Solar FemtoTX motherboard is an open, collaborative effort towards designing an ultra-low power motherboard in a mobile device-sized form factor. It aims be seamlessly integrated into an open-source hardware laptop for easy repair/replacement/upgrade, and focuses on low power consumption, especially suitable for solar-powered devices and quick recharging.

Furthermore, the project aims to make the open-hardware framework extensible by supporting socket-based or embedded processors and peripheral devices that meet a defined size and TDP limit. This interoperability allows newer, ultra low power microprocessors to work within the FemtoTX specification, and is optimized for solar power. The current project focusses on the initial design and validation of a System-on-Chip to be used in this low-power single board computer.

Project Members:

Giovanni L.

Vedula S.

If you are interested in joining this project, e-mail Giovanni L. (via Contact tab).

Specialties sought:

Parallel SPI Display Controller Development

Ultra-low voltage EDA Design & 22nm <40nm PDKs

Double Super Twisted Nematic Display & Passive Matrix Screen development or compatibility (DSTN) (ZBD LCDs)

Contact

giovanni.los@proton.me