The Standardization Group for Embedded Technologies e.V. (SGET) has announced the launch of the Open Harmonized FPGA Module (oHFM) specification. It is the world’s first open, vendor-agnostic standard for FPGA modules, bringing the proven principles of Computer-on-Module (COM) to the FPGA ecosystem.
The oHFM standard sets a new direction in embedded system design, offering modularity, scalability and vendor independence that has been lacking in the FPGA world until now.
What is the oHFM standard?
oHFM (Open Harmonized FPGA Module) is an open specification defining:
- mechanical formats of FPGA modules,
- harmonised pinout,
- communication interfaces,
- power supply and carrier board integration rules.
This makes it possible to use interchangeable FPGA modules from different manufacturers within a single hardware architecture.
Greater flexibility in FPGA design
Traditional FPGA designs required dedicated carrier boards that were strongly tied to a specific silicon manufacturer. oHFM eliminates this limitation by introducing a unified interface philosophy that is compatible with the offerings of leading FPGA manufacturers.
Benefits for designers and companies:
- shorter time-to-market,
- easier performance scaling,
- lower risk of vendor lock-in,
- simplified product upgrades and maintenance,
- lower R&D costs.
Two module variants – one standard
oHFM.c – Connector-based FPGA Module
- quick board-to-board connectors,
- four sizes: S, M, L, XL,
- ideal for prototyping and high-performance applications,
- easy replacement and upgrade in the field.
oHFM.s – Solderable FPGA Module
- solder-on-Module technology,
- low profile and high mechanical resistance,
- optimised for mass production,
- four sizes: S, M, L, XL.
From entry-level FPGA to high-end SoC-FPGA
The oHFM specification has been designed with a long product life cycle and future technologies in mind. It supports:
- energy-efficient FPGA,
- advanced SoC-FPGA,
- 112 Gbps PAM4 SERDES interfaces,
- integrated RF ADC/DAC.
With five scalable formats (Small–Extra Large), the oHFM standard is ideal for:
- edge AI,
- 5G/6G infrastructure,
- telecommunications systems,
- advanced signal processing,
- industrial and medical applications.
An open standard and growing ecosystem.
oHFM is an open initiative with no licence fees. SGET invites:
- FPGA manufacturers,
- embedded system designers,
- integrators and OEMs to co-create and implement the standard.
Work is underway on Design Guides and reference platforms that will facilitate the rapid launch of oHFM-based projects.
Download the oHFM specification
The Open Harmonized FPGA Module (oHFM) specification is available free of charge here: https://sget.org/standards/ohfm/
About SGET
The Standardisation Group for Embedded Technologies (SGET) is an international organisation developing open standards for embedded systems. Its aim is to simplify design and increase interoperability through industry-wide collaboration.
