BrisbaneSilicon is launching the ELM11-Feather, a $29 Feather-compatible board that runs Lua natively via a GOWIN FPGA. Unlike traditional microcontrollers, the ELM11-Feather uses “Full-Stack Programmability” to allow users to modify the application layer (Lua), driver layer (C), and hardware layer (VHDL/SystemVerilog) on a single device.
FPGA-Driven Architecture Replaces Traditional MCUs
The ELM11-Feather departs from the standard microcontroller unit (MCU) design. According to BrisbaneSilicon, the board utilizes a GOWIN FPGA to handle all operations without a separate CPU core. This architecture enables a dual-core setup where each core runs an independent Lua REPL.
By moving the logic to an FPGA, the company can expose the entire hardware stack for user modification. This removes the rigid constraints found in fixed-silicon chips. For example, the board features 23 I/O pins, each of which the user can configure as GPIO, PWM, UART, SPI, or I²C.
The Three Layers of Full-Stack Programmability
BrisbaneSilicon defines its core value proposition as “Full-Stack Programmability.” This system allows developers to extend a product across three distinct layers simultaneously:
- Application Layer: Runs Lua for high-level logic.
- Driver Layer: Runs C for hardware communication.
- Hardware Layer: Uses VHDL or SystemVerilog via a “Hardware Overlay.”
In a practical scenario, a developer could design a custom hardware module, such as a quadrature encoder, write the C driver for it, and then call that hardware as a simple quadrature_encoder_speed() function within a Lua script. To manage this, BrisbaneSilicon developed an IDE called Arvore, which unifies project creation and API extensions in one interface.
Hardware Specifications and Ecosystem Compatibility
The board is designed to fit the Feather ecosystem, meaning it works with existing FeatherWing add-on boards. It weighs 5.2 g and measures 22.86 x 64.65 x 4.85 mm.
| Feature | ELM11-Feather Spec |
|---|---|
| RAM | 1 MB |
| I/O Pins | 23 (Configurable) |
| Power | 500 mA LiPoly charger |
| Price | $29 |
How ELM11-Feather Compares to Market Alternatives
The ELM11-Feather occupies a middle ground between high-power FPGAs and simple scriptable MCUs. When compared to the pico2-ice (RP2350 + ICE40UP5K), the ELM11-Feather offers a native scripting language and a lower price point, though it has less RAM and fewer GPIOs.
Compared to the Adafruit Feather STM32F405, the ELM11-Feather provides hardware-layer extensibility that the STM32 lacks. While the Adafruit HUZZAH32 (ESP32) may offer superior battery life, it lacks the scripting-to-hardware pipeline and the I/O flexibility provided by the GOWIN FPGA.
Availability and Open Source Commitments
The ELM11-Feather is launching via a crowdfunding campaign on Crowd Supply. BrisbaneSilicon has already produced and tested a batch of five boards to verify the design. The company identifies the primary project risks as component availability for the BL702 chip and the GOWIN FPGA.
Following the conclusion of the campaign and the start of production, BrisbaneSilicon intends to release both the hardware schematics and the firmware API under the MIT license.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the ELM11-Feather?
The board is priced at $29 via its Crowd Supply campaign.
Can I use existing FeatherWings with this board?
Yes, the board is Feather-compatible and designed to slot into existing FeatherWing add-ons.
What languages are supported?
It natively supports Lua for applications, C for drivers, and SystemVerilog/VHDL for hardware logic.
What is the Arvore IDE?
Arvore is the custom IDE developed by BrisbaneSilicon to manage the three layers of programmability and handle project uploads.
What do you think about FPGA-based scripting? Does the “Full-Stack” approach change how you would prototype hardware? Let us know in the comments or subscribe to our newsletter for more deep dives into semiconductor innovation.
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