An open-hardware network interface card combines Thunderbolt connectivity, dual 10GbE Ethernet ports, and complete KiCad design files, enabling developers to study, modify, and build high-speed networking hardware.
Antmicro has expanded its open-hardware portfolio by releasing the KiCad design files for a Thunderbolt-to-10GbE network interface card (NIC). The project provides complete hardware design sources, allowing developers to inspect, customise, and manufacture the board using open design tools.
The adapter is designed around Intel’s JHL6340 Thunderbolt 3 controller and provides a PCIe Gen3 x4 expansion interface together with dual 10GBASE-T Ethernet ports. An onboard DC-DC converter supplies 12 V power required by certain PCIe expansion cards, enabling the adapter to support a wider range of networking hardware.
All hardware design files have been released in the KiCad format under the Apache 2.0 licence, making the project suitable for modification and creation of derivative designs. Alongside PCB layouts and schematics, the repository includes documentation and design assets to support development and manufacturing.
Antmicro said the release is part of its broader open-hardware initiative, which uses open-source design tools and publicly available reference designs to enhance transparency, reproducibility and collaboration in hardware development.
The project also makes the complete hardware design sources publicly available, allowing developers and hardware designers to use them as a reusable reference for prototyping or implementing high-speed Thunderbolt-based 10GbE networking solutions.
