[SOLVED] Mini PCI-e connector

Official Hardware MKR Family MKR Vidor 4000
1

I hope this is not a silly question, but I bought a mini PCI-e connector to use these pins and now I have problem connecting something to it. I tried to solder a standard ribbon cable to it, however the cable's spacing was too big. I also tried to make PCB, on which I could solder it, but again the connector's spacing was too small for me to be able to draw the PCB correctly. So how I am supposed to connect something to the mini PCI-e pins? Thanks for help in advance.

2

GibucClubs:
I also tried to make PCB... So how I am supposed to connect something to the mini PCI-e pins?

Mini-PCIe connectors are designed for surface mount design and soldering. Personally, I'm working on a PCIe to 0.1" breakout board. Probably won't send it to OSHPark until the end of the week.

3

Maybe you didn't read this: Recommendation for pci-e connector - MKRVIDOR4000 - Arduino Forum

4

Thanks for responses. Nevertheless I tried to make the PCB by my self one again and this time I succeeded. So the problem is solved.

5

I hope, it isn't problem, when I continue this thread. I can't find the pin numbers to use with FPGA.pinMode / digitalWrite /digitalRead to access the pins on the mini PCI-e interface. Where could I find the pinout?

6

Hi The schematic is posted on the product page on the arduino web site.

7

Thanks for response, I have seen the schematics, but those pin numbers aren't these, that should be use in the FPGA.pinMode / digitalWrite /digitalRead functions. However I have already found some of the numbers, I am looking for, but I have not figured out usage of all the pins yet.

8

hi,
mini pcie pins at the moment are only GPIOs as we don't have a shield for those pins.
if you have suggestions on what you want to see there let me know...

pin assignments are going to be very evident for each FPGA image in the next releases where along with bitstream we'll have also more detailed documentation.
sorry for your waiting...

Dario

9

I am happy with the functionality offered by the VidorPeripherals library, but I can't control some of the pins not even as GPIOs by the mentioned functions (so maybe these are not available through the current bitstream?). I have also seen, that some of the pins are connected to the WiFi chip, so I am wondering, what I can use these pins for. Hopefully the detailed documentation will make it clear for me, I am looking forward to seeing it. Thanks.

10

Hi,
some of the pins of the PCIe are connected to input only pins so you can't drive them but you can use them as inputs. these are pins 11,13, 23,25,31,33.
regarding pins connected to NINA, the idea is that you can route NINA peripherals to MKR or mini pcie pins so that if you use that as main processor you can still have FPGA at your disposal.

11

Thank you very much. This is exactly the piece of information, I have been looking for.