Extra GPIO on Nexys Video

[nversluis]

Hi all,

I am planning to use a Nexys Video to process a 3D image of two cameras and send it to an Oculus Rift.

However, these cameras (OV5642) require quite a few GPIO pins. As it seems I can use 24 pins for GPIO (8 pins per PMOD header, 3 headers), but I need about 40.

Is there an affordable way to get more direct GPIO onto this board? So far I have found nothing but a ridiculously expensive FMC card.

Thanks in advance.

[hamster]

Have you explored using the FMC connector?

I had a look at the .xdc file and it seems to have at least 66 IP pins... It would need a custom PCB however (unless somebody makes an FMC adapter board)

[nversluis]

8 minutes ago, hamster said:

Have you explored using the FMC connector?

I had a look at the .xdc file and it seems to have at least 66 IP pins... It would need a custom PCB however (unless somebody makes an FMC adapter board)

So far the only expansion card i've been able to find is this one, but it's incredibly expensive: https://shop.trenz-electronic.de/en/24363-TB-FMCL-PH-Pin-Header-Cards

Making my own FMC board could be possible, but as you said, there are no easy/affordable ways to do so...

Edit: Ironically enough, I have been able to find a card like this, but only at camp Altera, so it uses HSMC instead of FMC (http://www.terasic.com.tw/cgi-bin/page/archive.pl?Language=English&CategoryNo=67&No=322)

[sbobrowicz]

Check out this one:

http://www.xilinx.com/products/boards-and-kits/hw-fmc-xm105-g.html

It is still not the best priced card at  $159, but it is cheaper than the one you found on trenz. 

We have wanted to do a cheap fmc breakout for a while now, but haven't been able to get around to it yet. Sorry we couldn't help out by having one available now

edit: it looks like you could also inquire about this board here: http://www.kayainstruments.com/fmc-prototype-board/

[nversluis]

10 minutes ago, sbobrowicz said:

Check out this one:

http://www.xilinx.com/products/boards-and-kits/hw-fmc-xm105-g.html

It is still not the best priced card at  $159, but it is cheaper than the one you found on trenz. 

We have wanted to do a cheap fmc breakout for a while now, but haven't been able to get around to it yet. Sorry we couldn't help out by having one available now

edit: it looks like you could also inquire about this board here: http://www.kayainstruments.com/fmc-prototype-board/

Thanks a lot for the suggestions! I'll look into them as they seem like much better options than what i managed to find at first.

Just an off-topic question: Why is it that so little Digilent boards have GPIO? I understand the PMOD headers are useful for expansion boards, but I think many people could use a good ol' 40-pin GPIO header.

Anyway, thanks again!