GD32F407Z-EVAL
Comprehensive evaluation board for GD32F407 MCU with Ethernet, USB, LCD, and expansion headers for rapid prototyping.
Product Overview
Description
The GD32F407Z-EVAL is a comprehensive evaluation board designed for the GD32F407 series high-performance microcontrollers. This board provides full access to all MCU peripherals and includes various external components for comprehensive evaluation.
Key features include 10/100Mbps Ethernet PHY for network application development, USB OTG HS/FS interfaces, 3.2-inch TFT-LCD display with touch panel, SD card interface for storage expansion, and multiple expansion headers for custom circuitry. The board also includes EEPROM, SPI Flash, and various sensors for demonstration purposes.
The evaluation board comes with comprehensive example code covering all peripherals and common applications. It is an excellent platform for learning GD32 development, rapid prototyping, and proof-of-concept demonstrations. The board is fully compatible with GD-Link debugger and supports all major IDEs including Keil MDK and IAR.
Product Series
GD
Primary Application
GD32F407 evaluation and learning
Key Features
- GD32F407ZGT6 high-performance MCU
- Ethernet connectivity for IoT development
- USB OTG High Speed and Full Speed
- 3.2-inch color LCD with touch panel
- SD card interface for mass storage
- Multiple expansion headers
- Arduino shield compatibility
- On-board debugging interface
- Comprehensive example code included
- Compatible with major IDEs
Specifications
| MCU | GD32F407ZGT6 (LQFP144) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Up to 240MHz |
| Flash | 1MB on-chip + 128Mb SPI Flash |
| SRAM | 192KB on-chip + 2MB external |
| Ethernet | 10/100Mbps PHY with RJ45 |
| USB | USB OTG HS/FS with micro connectors |
| Display | 3.2-inch TFT-LCD with touch |
| Storage | SD card slot, EEPROM, SPI Flash |
| Sensors | Temperature, accelerometer |
| Expansion | Arduino compatible headers |
| Debug | JTAG/SWD header for GD-Link |
Applications
GD32F407 evaluation and learning
Electronic system design
IoT gateway prototyping
Electronic system design
HMI application development
Electronic system design
Network application testing
Communication and interface
USB device development
Electronic system design
Educational and training purposes
Electronic system design
FAE Expert Insights
"The GD32F407Z-EVAL is an excellent evaluation platform for customers getting started with GD32F4 series. The board includes all essential peripherals for comprehensive evaluation. The Ethernet and USB interfaces enable IoT gateway prototyping. The LCD and touch panel support HMI application development. I particularly appreciate the Arduino-compatible headers which allow using existing shields. The example code is well-documented and covers all major peripherals. For customers evaluating GD32F407 for their applications, this board provides everything needed to validate functionality. The external SRAM is useful for applications requiring large data buffers. The on-board sensors enable immediate demonstration of analog input capabilities. This evaluation board significantly reduces time-to-market for GD32F407-based designs."
Comprehensive evaluation platform with Ethernet, USB, and display
— Robert Zhang, BeiLuo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included with the GD32F407Z-EVAL board?
The GD32F407Z-EVAL evaluation board package includes: 1) GD32F407Z-EVAL board with GD32F407ZGT6 MCU, 2) USB cables for power and debugging, 3) Ethernet cable for network testing, 4) Comprehensive documentation including schematics and user manual, 5) Example code package with projects for all peripherals, 6) Quick start guide for immediate evaluation. The board comes pre-programmed with a demonstration firmware show LCD, touch, Ethernet, and USB capabilities. All source code is provided for reference and modification. The documentation includes detailed pin assignments and jumper settings. Example projects are provided for Keil MDK and IAR EWARM. Additional resources are available on the GigaDevice website.
The EVAL board includes everything needed for immediate evaluation. Order GD-Link separately for debugging capabilities.
How do I power the GD32F407Z-EVAL board?
The GD32F407Z-EVAL board can be powered through multiple sources: 1) USB OTG FS port (5V from PC or adapter), 2) USB OTG HS port (5V from PC or adapter), 3) External 5V power supply via DC jack (5V/2A recommended), 4) External 3.3V supply for low-power testing. The board includes power selection jumpers to choose the power source. When powered via USB, the board draws approximately 200-300mA depending on peripherals used. The on-board voltage regulators provide clean 3.3V and 1.2V supplies for the MCU and peripherals. Power LEDs indicate active power rails. For standalone operation, use the DC jack with a 5V adapter. The board includes reverse polarity protection and overcurrent protection for safety.
Use USB power for evaluation and development. Use external 5V adapter for standalone operation or high-power peripherals.
Can I use Arduino shields with the GD32F407Z-EVAL board?
Yes, the GD32F407Z-EVAL board includes Arduino-compatible headers allowing the use of standard Arduino shields: 1) Uno R3 compatible pinout on expansion headers, 2) 3.3V logic level compatible with most modern shields, 3) Mapped GPIO pins accessible through Arduino pin numbering, 4) SPI, I2C, and UART interfaces on standard Arduino locations. Compatible shields include: Ethernet shields, sensor shields, motor driver shields, display shields, and communication shields. Note that 5V-only shields may require level shifters. The board provides 3.3V on the Arduino VCC pin. Analog inputs support 0-3.3V range. Many Arduino libraries can be ported to GD32 with minimal modifications. Example code demonstrates using popular shields. Check shield compatibility for voltage levels and pin assignments before use.
Arduino shields can be used with the EVAL board. Verify 3.3V compatibility. Check pin assignments in documentation.
What example projects are included with the evaluation board?
The GD32F407Z-EVAL includes comprehensive example projects: 1) GPIO - LED blinking and button input, 2) Timer - PWM generation and input capture, 3) ADC - analog input and temperature reading, 4) DAC - waveform generation, 5) USART - serial communication, 6) SPI - Flash memory access, 7) I2C - EEPROM and sensor communication, 8) USB - device and host examples, 9) Ethernet - TCP/IP server and client, 10) LCD - graphics display and touch, 11) SD card - file system operations, 12) DMA - memory transfer examples, 13) RTC - real-time clock, 14) EXTI - external interrupts. Each example includes complete source code, project files for Keil and IAR, and detailed comments. The examples demonstrate proper peripheral configuration and usage patterns. Advanced examples show integration of multiple peripherals. All examples are tested and ready to compile.
Example projects cover all major peripherals. Start with basic GPIO example, then progress to complex applications.
How do I connect the GD-Link debugger to the EVAL board?
Connecting GD-Link to the GD32F407Z-EVAL board: 1) Connect GD-Link to PC via USB cable, 2) Connect GD-Link to EVAL board using the 20-pin JTAG or 10-pin SWD cable, 3) Ensure target board is powered before or simultaneously with GD-Link, 4) Configure IDE debugger settings for GD-Link, 5) Start debugging session. The EVAL board includes both JTAG (20-pin) and SWD (10-pin) connectors for flexibility. SWD is recommended for most applications using fewer pins. The JTAG connector supports boundary scan testing. Pin 1 on connectors is marked on the board. Ensure correct orientation when connecting cables. The GD-Link LED indicates connection status. If connection fails, check cable orientation, target power, and IDE configuration. The board includes reset and boot mode jumpers for debugging scenarios.
Use SWD connection for most applications. Connect GD-Link before powering target. Contact FAE for connection issues.