Pulsar Evaluation Kit Datasheet

Overview

The Pulsar EVK Board is a comprehensive evaluation kit designed for prototyping ultra-low-power, event-driven AI applications. You can use this board to prototype your embedded system and then scale it to production by combining the on-board IgnisCore System-on-Module (SoM) with your custom PCB hardware.

The EVK is a two-board system:

  • The IgnisCore SoM provides the core processing, featuring the Innatera C1 Spiking Neural Processor, along with 128Mbit of NOR Flash and an FTDI USB-to-UART bridge.

  • The SensForge Baseboard offers a comprehensive set of peripherals for real-world data capture, including a 6-axis IMU, digital and Analog MEMS microphones, a digital temperature sensor, and a Bluetooth 5.1 module.

This platform provides all the peripheral connections and sensors you need to build and debug a complete sensor-to-AI pipeline.

Key Benefits

  • Ultra-Low-Power AI: Built around the Innatera C1 Spiking Neural Processor for high-efficiency, low-power neuromorphic processing.

  • Rich Sensor Suite: Accelerate prototyping with on-board sensors, including a 6-axis IMU, digital PDM microphone, I2S microphone, and a digital temperature sensor.

  • Integrated Wireless Connectivity: Features a Renesas Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 module for developing connected, low-power applications.

  • Complete Prototyping System: Serves as a full evaluation board for the IgnisCore SoM, enabling software development and hardware validation before scaling to a custom baseboard.

  • Immediate Feedback: Includes an on-board monochrome LCD and a quad USB-to-UART bridge for rapid debugging and status feedback.

Features

IgnisCore SoM (Processor Module)

  • Processor: Innatera C1 (Pulsar) Spiking Neural Processor

  • Flash Memory: 128Mbit NOR Flash (Renesas AT25QL128A-UUE-T)

  • Configuration Memory: 2kbit EEPROM (Microchip 93LC56BT-E/MNY)

  • PC Interface: FTDI USB-to-UART Bridge (FT4232HL-REEL)

  • System Controls:

    • 2-position DIP Switch (CTS 218-2LPSTJR)

    • Tactile Reset Switch (ITT C&K PTS815SJM250SMTRLFS)

  • Status LEDs: 2x Green, 1x Red

  • System-on-Module Connector: 40-circuit Mezzanine Receptacle (Amphenol 10132798-042100LF)

SensForge Baseboard (Sensor & Interface Module)

  • Sensors:

    • IMU: Bosch BMI088 6-axis IMU

    • Temperature: Microchip AT30TS74-XM8M-T Digital Temperature Sensor

    • Audio (Digital): Infineon IM67D130AXTSA2 MEMS Microphone

    • Audio (I2S): PUI Audio DMM-4026-B-I2S-R MEMS Microphone

  • Wireless:

    • Renesas DA14531MOD-00F01002 Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1 Module

  • Display:

    • Display Visions EA DOGS102N-6 Monochrome LCD (102x64 resolution)

  • Connections & I/O:

    • Baseboard-to-SoM: 40-circuit Mezzanine Header (Amphenol 10132797-045100LF)

    • Host/Data: USB-C 2.0 Receptacle (Amphenol 10155435-00011LF)

    • GPIO Header 1: 24-pin Male Header, 2.54mm pitch (Wurth 61002421121)

    • GPIO Header 2: 14-pin Female Socket, 2.54mm pitch (CONNFLY DS1002-01-1*14V13-JK)

  • Power & User Controls:

    • Coin Cell Battery Holder (MPD BHX2-2032-PC)

    • SPDT Slide Switch (Wurth 450302014072)

    • 8-position DIP Switch (Wurth 416131160803)

System Components

This table outlines the primary components of Pulsar EVK, a two-board system comprising the IgnisCore SoM and the SensForge Baseboard.

Table 1. IgnisCore SoM Components

Feature

Details

Processor

Pulsar Spiking Neural Processor (C1)

Memory & Storage

NOR Flash: Renesas AT25QL128A-UUE-T; 128Mbit (16M x 8); 133MHz max clock speed. EEPROM: Microchip 93LC56BT-E/MNY; 2kbit memory.

Host Interface

USB-to-UART: FTDI FT4232HL-REEL — USB to Quad UART interface.

Clocks

Crystal (10MHz): ECS-100-8-33B2Q-JVY-TR3; Crystal (12MHz): ECS-120-8-36-CKM-TR3; Oscillator (10MHz): ABRACON ATX-H12-F-10.000MHz-F25-T.

Power

LDOs: Analog Devices LTC3025EDC; Diodes Inc. AP7370-33FDC-7. Supervisory IC: TI TPS389018DSER.

User Controls

Reset Switch: ITT C&K PTS815SJM250SMTRLFS (Tactile Button); Config Switch: CTS 218-2LPSTJR (2-position DIP).

Status LEDs

Green: 2x Vishay Lite-On LTST-C190GKT; Red: 1x LUCKYLIGHT LL-S190SC-2S.

Table 2. SensForge Baseboard Components

Feature

Details

Wireless

Bluetooth Module: Renesas DA14531MOD-00F01002 — Bluetooth Low Energy 5.1; 128Kb Flash; 48kB RAM.

Sensors

6-Axis IMU: Bosch BMI088 (16-bit resolution). Temperature: Microchip AT30TS74-XM8M-T (12-bit resolution). PDM Microphone: Infineon IM67D130AXTSA2 (SNR 67 dBA). I2S Microphone: PUI Audio DMM-4026-B-I2S-R (Sensitivity -26 dB).

Display

Monochrome LCD: Display Visions EA DOGS102N-6 (102x64 resolution; operating temp: -20°C to +70°C).

Connectors

USB: Amphenol 10155435-00011LF (USB-C 2.0 Receptacle). GPIO 1: Wurth 61002421121 (24-pin Male Header, 2.54mm pitch). GPIO 2: CONNFLY DS1002-01-1*14V13-JK (14-pin Female Socket).

Power

Battery: MPD BHX2-2032-PC (Holder for 2032 Coin Cell). LDOs: 3x TI TLV75801PDBVR (500mA).

User Controls

Config Switch: Wurth 416131160803 (8-position DIP). Power Switch: Wurth 450302014072 (SPDT Mini Slide Switch).