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4 layers64.5 × 70.1 mmExAceTestbench, the printed circuit board in 3D

ExAceTestbench

cdg66/ExAce37

Framework ExpansionFPGA acceleration module

Size
64.5 × 70.1 mm
Copper layers
4
Thickness
1.49 mm
Parts
30
Nets
69
Pads
212
Tracks, vias
551, 146
Pours
10
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
Created
26 Feb 2025
Updated
4 Jun 2025

Overview

ExAceTestbench is an open-source printed circuit board by cdg66, from the cdg66/ExAce repository on GitHub, published under the CC-BY-4.0 licence. It is a 4-layer board of 64.5 × 70.1 mm with 30 parts on 69 nets, routed with 551 tracks and 146 vias.

It is built around the CONSMA001-C-G and C-ARA1-AK512-1. Its parts include 13 connectors, 10 capacitors, 1 resistor and 1 IC.

Main components

2

README

README.md

📘 Project ExAce

License Status Hardware

[!Warning]

Content is not proven and suject to change without notice! Send to fab at your own risk.

🧩 Overview

A tiny yet powerful fpga acceleration card designed with the Framework laptop expansion module system in mind.

🛠️ Features

  • ✅ CCGM1A1/2/4 compatible
  • ✅ 20,480, 40,960 or 81,920 8-input LUT-trees.
  • ✅ USB-type C, 5V 1.5A.
  • ✅ Full access to SERDES via the USB-c connector (1 for A1/A2 and 2 for A4 device).
  • ✅ USB2.0 interface is shared between the fpga and mcu via a USB mux.
  • ✅ STM32L422RBI6 coprocessor and programmer.
  • ✅ Shared Earth and i2c between the fpga and microcontroller for easier development.
  • ✅ Free and Open-source FPGA toolchain!
  • ✅ Lots of sensors!: PDM microphone, 6DoF imu, magnetometer, and thermometer.
  • ✅ 8 user programmable led ideal for VU meters.
  • ✅ 1 lvds IO ideal for connecting multiple board together in a cluster.
  • 🔜 TinyFPGA-Bootloader support TBD.
  • 🔜 DirtyJTAG support TBD.

💪 Application

  • ✅ Machine learning
  • ✅ Simulation
  • ✅ Audio/Signal processing
  • ✅ Retro Gaming
  • ✅ Development platform

🗂️ Repository Structure

bash
📁 /pcb-project-root
├── /3D_Models                    # 3D models of the PCB rendering
├── /Outputs/Fabrication          # Generated Gerber files, BOM and POS for fabrication
├── /PINOUT                       # STM32CubeMx for reference pinout
├── /Testbench/ExAceTestbench     # Testbench to break out serdes signals
├── /.gitignore
└── README.md

🧰 Tools & Dependencies

  • Design Software: KiCad (v9.0.2 or higher)
  • MCU/FPGA Programmer: ST-Link,Pico Dirty JTAG
  • Firmware Toolchain: STM32CubeMX, arm toolchain, Colonge chip open source toolchain

🖼️ 3D view

Front
Back


🏗️ Getting Started

  1. Clone this repository
    bash
    git clone https://github.com/cdg66/ExAce.git
  2. Open the project in KiCad (navigate to Expansion_Card_Retrofit.kicad_pro)
  3. Modify / Build / Export Gerbers

🚀 Fabrication

To get the board fabricated:

  • Use the files in the /Outputs directory
  • Recommended fabs:

Stack-up:

stackup

The recommended stack up is the JLC08081H-1080A at JLCPCB but can be done at any other PCB manufacturer.


🔧 License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This project references and builds upon the open-source designs from
FrameworkComputer/ExpansionCards,
which is also licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY-4.0).

TPSM82822SILR

Footprint: Ultralibrarian

3D model: SnapMagic

Edited by me

S3A2505-100.000-L-X1-R

Symbol, Footprint, 3D model: SnapMagic

Edited by me

1054440011

3D model: Molex

KXT_331_LHS

3D model: SnapMagic

STM32L422RBI6

3D model: SnapMagic

TPS7A2033PDQNR

3D model: SnapMagic


Parts

30
QtyValueFootprintReferences
10CONSMA001-C-GConnector_Coaxial:SMA_Amphenol_901-144_VerticalJ4, J5, J6, J7, J8, J9, J10, J11, J12, J13
875nCapacitor_SMD:C_0402_1005MetricC3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10
25010TestPoint:TestPoint_Keystone_5010-5014_MultipurposeTP1, TP2
2CCapacitor_SMD:C_1206_3216MetricC1, C2
2C-ARA1-AK512-1Connector_USB:USB_C_Receptacle_CNCTech_C-ARA1-AK51XJ2, J3
2Jumper_2_OpenConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_VerticalJP2, JP3
1100mUnified_Library:2818R1
1Bus_PCI_Express_x4Connector_PCBEdge:BUS_PCIexpress_x4J1
1Jumper_3_OpenConnector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_VerticalJP1
1TSR 1.5-2450EConverter_DCDC:Converter_DCDC_TRACO_TSR-1_THTU1

Questions

How big is the ExAceTestbench PCB?

It measures 64.5 × 70.1 mm and has 4 copper layers, 1.49 mm thick.

What parts does the ExAceTestbench use?

30 parts, built around the CONSMA001-C-G and C-ARA1-AK512-1. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the ExAceTestbench KiCad files?

From the cdg66/ExAce repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is Testbench/ExAceTestbench/ExAceTestbench.kicad_pcb and its schematic Expansion_Card_Retrofit.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the ExAceTestbench design in my own project?

Its repository publishes it under the CC-BY-4.0 licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).

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