Tang Nano 1K
Compact development board featuring GW1N-1 FPGA, USB programming, and expansion headers for learning and prototyping.
Product Overview
Description
The Tang Nano 1K is an entry-level FPGA development board featuring the GW1N-1 FPGA with 1,152 LUTs.
With onboard USB programming interface, LEDs, buttons, and GPIO expansion headers, this board provides everything needed to start FPGA development.
The compact size and low cost make it ideal for education, maker projects, and proof-of-concept development.
Product Series
Tang
Primary Application
FPGA learning and education
Key Features
- Ultra-compact form factor
- USB-C programming and power
- Plug-and-play with Gowin software
- Rich learning resources available
- Active community support
- Compatible with breadboard prototyping
Specifications
| FPGA Device | GW1N-LV1QN48C6/I5 |
|---|---|
| Logic Elements | 1,152 LUT4s |
| USB Interface | USB Type-C (programming and power) |
| Onboard Peripherals | 7 LEDs, 2 buttons |
| I/O Expansion | 2x 20-pin GPIO headers |
| Clock | 24MHz onboard oscillator |
| Dimensions | 45mm x 22mm |
| Price | Very affordable (< $10) |
Applications
FPGA learning and education
Electronic system design
Digital logic experiments
Electronic system design
Simple control systems
Industrial automation and control
LED display projects
Electronic system design
Basic signal processing
Sensor signal conditioning
FAE Expert Insights
"The Tang Nano 1K is my top recommendation for anyone getting started with FPGAs. At under $10, it's incredibly accessible for students and hobbyists. The board includes everything you need - just plug in a USB-C cable and you're ready to program. I've used these boards in numerous workshops and university courses with great success. The GW1N-1 FPGA has sufficient resources for learning digital design basics, simple state machines, and basic signal processing. The 7 LEDs and 2 buttons provide immediate visual feedback for experiments. The GPIO headers allow expansion with sensors, displays, and other peripherals. What impresses me most is the quality of documentation and community support - there are tutorials for everything from blinking LEDs to implementing soft processors. For the price, you simply can't beat the value."
Best value entry point into FPGA development for under $10
— Robert Kim, BeiLuo
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get started with the Tang Nano 1K?
Getting started with Tang Nano 1K is straightforward: 1) Download and install Gowin Cloud Designer from Gowin's website. 2) Connect the board to your computer using a USB-C cable - the board will be powered through USB. 3) Install USB drivers if prompted - Windows may require driver installation. 4) Open Gowin Cloud Designer and create a new project targeting the GW1N-1 device. 5) Write a simple Verilog or VHDL design (start with a blinking LED). 6) Synthesize and implement the design. 7) Program the FPGA using the onboard USB programmer. 8) Verify the design works on the hardware. Gowin provides tutorials and example projects to guide you through this process. The community has also created many beginner-friendly resources.
Follow the official getting started guide or community tutorials. Contact us for technical support if you encounter issues.
What example projects are available for Tang Nano 1K?
Numerous example projects are available for the Tang Nano 1K: 1) Basic LED blink - the FPGA equivalent of 'Hello World'. 2) Button debouncing - handling mechanical switch inputs. 3) Counter and display - driving the onboard LEDs. 4) PWM generation - creating pulse-width modulated signals. 5) Simple state machines - implementing control logic. 6) Serial communication - UART implementation. 7) Seven-segment display driver - for external displays. 8) Simple audio projects - tone generation. These examples are available from Gowin's official repository and community contributions. Each example typically includes source code, project files, and documentation. I recommend working through these examples in order of complexity to build your skills progressively.
Start with simple LED projects and progress to more complex designs. Download example projects from Gowin and community repositories.
Can I connect external peripherals to Tang Nano 1K?
Yes, the Tang Nano 1K provides expansion headers for connecting external peripherals: 1) GPIO headers - two 20-pin headers provide access to FPGA I/O pins. 2) Voltage levels - I/Os support 3.3V and can be configured for other voltages. 3) Common peripherals - LEDs, buttons, switches, seven-segment displays, sensors, and simple displays can be connected. 4) Communication interfaces - implement I2C, SPI, or UART to connect various modules. 5) Breadboard compatibility - the board can be plugged into a breadboard for easy prototyping. When connecting peripherals, check the pinout diagram to identify available I/Os and their capabilities. Be mindful of current limits - use external drivers for high-current devices like motors or large LED arrays.
Use the GPIO headers to connect peripherals. Start with simple components like LEDs and buttons before moving to more complex interfaces.
Is the Tang Nano 1K suitable for university courses?
The Tang Nano 1K is excellent for university courses: 1) Cost - affordable enough that students can purchase their own boards. 2) Features - sufficient resources for introductory and intermediate digital design courses. 3) Software - free tools without licensing restrictions. 4) Documentation - comprehensive materials for self-paced learning. 5) Community - growing ecosystem of tutorials and projects. 6) Portability - compact size allows students to work anywhere. I've helped several universities adopt Tang Nano boards for their digital design and FPGA courses. Students appreciate being able to afford their own hardware, and the boards are reliable enough for semester-long courses. The progression from Tang Nano 1K to 4K to 9K provides a natural path as students advance.
Consider Tang Nano 1K for introductory courses due to its affordability and features. Contact us for educational pricing and support.
What is the difference between Tang Nano 1K and other low-cost FPGA boards?
The Tang Nano 1K compares favorably to other low-cost FPGA boards: 1) Price - among the most affordable options available. 2) Features - good balance of FPGA capacity and peripherals for the price. 3) Power - ultra-low power consumption due to flash-based FPGA. 4) Software - free, full-featured IDE without limitations. 5) Instant-on - no configuration delay like SRAM-based FPGAs. 6) Community - active and growing community support. Compared to boards based on other vendors' FPGAs, the Tang Nano 1K offers competitive features at a lower price point. The main trade-off is that Gowin's ecosystem is smaller than established vendors, but it's growing rapidly. For learning and small projects, the Tang Nano 1K provides exceptional value.
Compare features and price for your specific needs. The Tang Nano 1K offers excellent value for learning and small projects.