Learn FPGA + MCU the fun way

Two tiny boards. Endless Maker ideas. Classroom-ready learning.

Makers and educators usually want the same things from a learning/prototyping board:

  • Fast start: plug in → run an example in minutes
  • Approachable learning curve: documentation + simple “first wins” (LEDs, PWM, UART, SPI, etc.)
  • Room to grow: enough GPIO + expansion (PMOD, headers) for real projects
  • Open toolchain + open hardware: you can see how it works and build on it with the PMOD ecosystem
  • Reliable in a lab: sturdy connectors, repeatable setup
  • Budget-friendly: works for classrooms, clubs, and personal tinkering

That’s exactly what these two boards are built for - especially if you want to understand both microcontrollers and digital logic.

Board #1: pico2 (RP2350) + FPGA — one board for MCU and digital design

A practical playground for learning embedded programming and hardware design side-by-side.

Why makers & educators love this combo

  • MCU + FPGA on one platform: RP2350B microcontroller + Lattice Semiconductor iCE40UP5K FPGA in a single dev board.
  • “Everything on headers” for labs: All RP2350 pins + 32 FPGA GPIO broken out to 0.1" headers (PMOD-style)—perfect for breadboards, modules, and student wiring.
  • Built-in memory for real experiments: onboard 4MB SPI Flash + 8MB low-power qSPI SRAM for projects that outgrow tiny demos.
  • Classroom-friendly peripherals: 2 RGB LEDs (one for MCU, one for FPGA) + 2 pushbuttons to teach inputs, debouncing, state machines, and feedback loops.
  • Teaches modern FPGA fundamentals: iCE40UP5K includes 5.3k LUTs, 1Mb SPRAM, 120Kb DPRAM, 8 multipliers—great for counters → PWM → filters → accelerators.
  • MicroPython-assisted learning: a MicroPython port that supports FPGA programming and clock control, with the FPGA clock supplied by the RP2350 (easy to tweak under software control).
  • Open hardware: open schematic/layout in KiCad + OSHW certification.
  • Proven in education: positioned as the successor to pico-ice, which is used by universities/colleges in multiple regions as an FPGA educational board.

What you can learn and build

  • Intro to embedded systems: Peripherals (I2C, SPI, UART), Embedded operating systems (bare metal, Zephyr, FreeRTOS)
  • Intro to digital design: combinational logic, sequential logic, counters, PWM, debouncing
  • Hardware ↔ Software co-design: use the MCU for high-level control/UI and the FPGA for deterministic timing and parallel tasks (signal generation, capture, etc.), HW acceleration of hotpsots

Board #2: UPduino v3.1 — the tiny, low-cost FPGA board

If you want a focused, no-fuss FPGA learning board that’s quick to wire into projects, UPduino is a classic.


Why it works so well for clubs, labs, and colleges

  • Small + low-cost open-source FPGA dev board designed for fast prototyping.
  • On-board USB programmer: includes FTDI FT232H programmer built in, so students can get going without extra tools.
  • Tons of accessible I/O: 39 GPIO on 0.1" headers, plus power pins (5V/3.3V/GND) to supply small projects.
  • Solid FPGA resources: iCE40UP5K with 5.3K LUTs, 1Mb SPRAM, 120Kb DPRAM, 8 multipliers.
  • PMOD-compatible: easy add-ons—sensors, displays, DACs/ADCs, motor drivers, etc.
  • Starter example included: ships with an RGB LED example project to kickstart learning.
  • Open-source toolchain emphasis (linked from the page), great for teaching transparent flows and reproducible builds.
  • Practical durability note: improved USB footprint to reduce connector damage.

Ready-to-run curriculum and project ideas (plug-and-play for educators)

Here are lab sequences that map nicely to a semester, bootcamp, or maker club:


FPGA fundamentals (UPduino or pico2-ice)

  1. Blink → PWM dimming → RGB mixing
  2. Buttons + debouncing → finite state machines
  3. UART/SPI interfaces (logic-level protocols)
  4. Simple DSP blocks: moving average, PWM audio, pulse measurement
  5. “Mini accelerator” projects: parallel counters, pattern matchers, custom I/O timing

MCU + FPGA co-design (best on pico2-ice)

  1. MCU reads sensors, FPGA generates deterministic waveforms/timing
  2. MCU UI + logging, FPGA handles parallel I/O or precise capture
  3. Demonstrate when to use a microcontroller vs FPGA: determinism + parallelism vs flexible serial CPU loops

Bring FPGA learning to your classroom, lab, or weekend bench.

  • Learn embedded and digital logic with real hardware
  • Use open designs and accessible toolchains
  • Prototype quickly with 0.1" headers + PMOD-style expansion

Explore the boards:

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