BTCMiner
Here you can find all information about BTCminer ZTEX FPGA Boards and the Open-Source SDK
Contents
BTCMiner
This open source Bitcoin mining software for ZTEX USB-FPGA Modules 1.15 runs on the operative systems Linux and Windows. Yet, Windows users need to install the libusb driver first, which you can find here. The FPGA boards supported by BTCMiner (USB-FPGA Modules 1.15b and 1.15d, USB-FPGA Modules 1.15x and USB-FPGA Modules 1.15y.) have a USB interface, which can be used for communication and programming, allowing the user to build low cost FPGA clusters with standard components (like USB hubs, for instance). In practical terms, this means no JTAG programmer is required and the program allows to run large mining rigs from just one software instance.
The software features a ready-to-use Bitstream, which doesn’t require any Xilinx Software or a license, so this is an advantage. However, its dynamic frequency scaling is based on error measurement: so, BTCMiner automatically chooses the frequency with the highest rate of valid hashes. You can find BTCMiner official website here and discover more about this mining software[1].
Features
- Supported FPGA Boards:
| FPGA Board | FPGA Type | Minimum hash rate | Typical effective hash rate | Power requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB-FPGA-Module_1.15b | Xilinx XC6SLX75-3 | 84 MH/s | 90 MH/s | 5.0 W @ 184 MHz |
| USB-FPGA-Module_1.15d | Xilinx XC6SLX150-3 | 190 MH/s | 215 MH/s | 9.7 W @ 216 Mhz |
| USB-FPGA-Module_1.15x | Xilinx XC6SLX150-3/N3 | 190 MH/s | 215 MH/s | 9.7 W @ 216 MHz |
| USB-FPGA-Module_1.15y | 4 x Xilinx XC6SLX150-N3 | 760 MH/s | 860 MH/s | 39 W @ 216 MHz |
- Dynamic frequency scaling based on error measurement, i.e. BTCMiner automatically chooses the frequency with the highest rate of valid hashes.
- Cluster mode with hot-plugging allows to run large amounts of FPGA Boards
- Ready-to-use Bitstream, i.e. no Xilinx Software or License required
Usage
All files required for this * Bitcoin mining software are packed into a single jar archive which can be downloaded from the download section of the and runs under Linux and Windows. Windows users need to install the libusb driver from the ZTEX SDK.
Updates
UPDATE Oct 20 2011:
New software release: performance data and power dissipation updated FPGA Board availability: USB-FPGA-Module 1.15x are now available
UPDATE Nov 14 2011:
New software release (number 111114)
UPDATE Dec 14 2011:
New software release (number 111214) with improved performance
UPDATE Jan 26 2012:
New software release (number 120126)
UPDATE Feb 08 2012:
New software release (number 120208) Performance and power data updated
UPDATE Apr 18 2012:
New software release (number 120417) New FPGA Board added: USB-FPGA Module 1.15y
UPDATE Jul 05 2012:
Typical (=average) hash rate updated because recent FPGA’s are faster
UPDATE Jul 12 2012:
New software release (number 120703)
Bitcoin mining software for ZTEX USB-FPGA Modules 1.15
BTCMiner is an Open Source Bitcoin Miner for ZTEX USB-FPGA-Modules 1.15b and 1.15d and USB-FPGA-Modules 1.15x. The latter variant is optimized for cryptographic computations such as Bitcoin Mining and allows to build up FPGA clusters using standard components (USB cables and USB hubs).
The Software typically achieves hash rates of 90MH/s on Spartan 6 LX75 FPGA’s and 200MH/s on Spartan6 LX150 FPGA’s. The frequency is scaled dynamically using error measurement, i.e. the software scales the frequency such that a maximum rate of valid hashes is generated.
BTCMiner also have a cluster mode with hot-plugging support which allows to to run large FPGA clusters from a single software instance.[2]
Download
Download BTCminer here.
Facts
On March 1, 2018, BTCMiner homepage the official website of the manufacturer does not work.