BeagleBoard launches BeagleV-Fire with RISC-V CPU

BeagleBoard.org, the pioneer of open-source single-board computers, has announced a brand-new device. With the Microchip PolarFire SoC, the BeagleV-Fire combines the power of five RISC-V 64-bit cores with an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The remarkable aspect is that this SBC offers all that in a very compact form factor. Now, the penta-core RISC-V CPU may not be as powerful as the ARM chipset in the Raspberry Pi 5, but the BeagleV-Fire doesn't necessarily need to compete with it.

Instead, this SBC caters to a totally different group of users. Additionally, thanks to the inclusion of an FPGA, users can program the BeagleV-Fire to make it function like various types of chips. As Jason Kridner, the co-founder of BeagleBoard.org, points out, "By harnessing the power of Microchip's PolarFire FPGA SoC IC and embracing the RISC-V architecture, we are unleashing the potential for groundbreaking innovation within the open source community."

That said, similar to Arduino's Shields and Raspberry Pi's HATs, the BeagleBoard BeagleV-Fire uses a cape form factor. This makes the SBC capable of powering different projects with compatible capes. That includes projects related to data collection and robotics.

In terms of the OS, BeagleBoard BeagleV-Fire runs on Linux. Although no software images are currently available to download, the SBC will likely have the same OS compatibility as BeagleV-Ahead. That board had support for operating systems like Yocto Linux and Ubuntu.

The BeagleBoard BeagleV-Fire can be purchased for US$150 from several distributors, including Farnell and Mouser Electronics.

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