{"slug": "vx100-and-axm2-reference-for-diy-ai-hardware-projects", "title": "VX100 and AXM2 Reference for DIY AI Hardware Projects", "summary": "Pigeon Labs Stack published v0.1.0-reference, an open-source reference kit of pin mappings, NVLink connection plans and KiCad 10.0.7 starter files for building carrier boards around NVIDIA V100 SXM2 modules. The kit documents 800 canonical contacts — 400 on connector A and 400 on connector B — plus two- and four-GPU NVLink connection tables and three editable KiCad starters, with the author describing the contribution as primarily curation of existing public reverse-engineering work. The release is a public reference pre-release, not a hardware-qualified carrier board, and notes that each V100 requires a 156.25 MHz differential NVHS clock on B/E20 (+) and B/F20 (−) and a separate 100 MHz PCIe clock on A/E7 (+).", "body_md": "This project aims to become an **open-source carrier-board design for NVIDIA V100 SXM2 modules**, including NVLink connections for two- and four-GPU configurations.\n\nWhile that board is being developed, this reference kit shares the pin mappings, connection plans and connector-only KiCad resources so other people can develop their own designs.\n\n**My contribution so far is primarily curation:** gathering public information, comparing sources, reconciling connector orientation and signal names, and making the results easier to follow. The original reverse-engineering work belongs to its authors, credited in [Sources and attribution](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/sources.md).\n\n1. Download the complete reference ZIP from [v0.1.0-reference](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/releases/tag/v0.1.0-reference) , or use**Code > Download ZIP** for the current development files.\n2. Extract the archive and keep the directory structure. Choose a [single-, two- or four-module KiCad starter](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/kicad/README.md) , then open its`.kicad_pro` file in**KiCad 10.0.7** or a compatible newer version. Keep the whole`kicad/` folder so the shared symbol library is available.\n3. For reading without KiCad, use the [complete schematic PDFs](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/downloads.md#read-without-kicad) or[standalone workbook](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/workbook/V100-SXM2-Pinout-and-NVLink.xlsx) .\n\nThe [download guide](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/downloads.md) includes print editions and library-path help. [Change notes](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md) identify reference editions. This is a public reference pre-release, not a hardware-qualified carrier board.\n\n| I want to… | Start here | \n|---|---|\n| Find a contact on connector A or B | [Pin maps and naming](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/pinout.md) | \n| Plan a connection between two V100s | [Two-GPU NVLink guide](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/nvlink-2gpu.md) | \n| Plan a four-V100 interconnect | [Four-GPU NVLink guide](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/nvlink-4gpu.md) | \n| Use the connector symbols in my own design | [KiCad starter and previews](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/kicad.md) | \n| Start with two or four V100s already connected by NVLink | [Choose a KiCad starter](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/kicad/README.md) | \n| Work offline with the full reference | [Download the standalone workbook](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/workbook/V100-SXM2-Pinout-and-NVLink.xlsx) | \n| Browse or print every schematic sheet without KiCad | [Complete PDF sets](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/downloads.md#read-without-kicad) | \n| Check what is established and what is open | [Status and limitations](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/status.md) | \n\n- **800 canonical contacts:** 400 on connector A and 400 on connector B, with signal names, evidence and electrical-treatment notes.\n- **Two- and four-GPU connection tables:** exact Connector B pads, directions, lanes and polarity.\n- **Three editable KiCad starters:** one module’s A/B connectors, plus two- and four-module versions with NVLink data connected. Every contact stays labelled, including unconnected clocks, power and control pins. No regulator, power-control or clock circuits are included.\n- **Catppuccin Mocha visuals:** contact maps, topology diagrams, schematic previews and the standalone dark reference workbook. An optional KiCad colour theme is included.\n\n**External clock required:** the NVLink starter schematics show data wiring, not a complete working NVLink implementation. Each V100 needs a **156.25 MHz differential NVHS clock on B/E20 (+) and B/F20 (−)**. The separate PCIe clock is **100 MHz on A/E7 (+) and A/F7 (−)**. [Clock requirements and scope](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/kicad.md#external-clocks-required).\n\nThese are the actual **connector-only KiCad schematics**: 400 labelled contacts on A and 400 on B. Click a preview to open the full-size vector drawing. The two- and four-GPU NVLink arrangements are shown separately below and in the connection guides.\n\n[Open the KiCad project](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/kicad/V100_Connectors.kicad_pro) · [Schematic overview](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/kicad/previews/Overview.svg) · [KiCad guide](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/kicad.md)\n\nThe full six-group two-GPU arrangement is derived from the documented pairing families; the four-GPU arrangement follows the curated topology. Each guide explains its source evidence and remaining uncertainties. These are logical connection plans, not routed bridge schematics.\n\n[Open the two-V100 KiCad project](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/kicad/2-V100/V100_2GPU_NVLink.kicad_pro) · [Native schematic previews](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/kicad/2-V100/README.md)\n\n[Open the four-V100 KiCad project](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/kicad/4-V100/V100_4GPU_NVLink.kicad_pro) · [Native schematic previews](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/kicad/4-V100/README.md)\n\n[Two-GPU connections](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/nvlink-2gpu.md) · [Four-GPU connections](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/nvlink-4gpu.md)\n\nThe actual local reference footprint, exported directly by KiCad: 800 contact pads, housing outlines and mounting features. A raw PCB footprint is not included in this edition; see [footprint availability and open questions](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/footprint.md) and [visual provenance](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/visuals.md#render-provenance).\n\nThis is a render of an existing project geometry preview, using the Amphenol connector model. It illustrates connector placement; it is not a completed carrier board or proof of connector A/B identity, mating-part selection or viewing direction. See [render provenance](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/visuals.md).\n\nThe longer-term goal is a reusable open-source board design. This reference kit currently covers the pin mappings, NVLink connection plans and connector starter. Routed boards, manufacturing outputs and hardware qualification are future work. See the [roadmap](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/docs/status.md#roadmap).\n\nCorrections are particularly useful when they include an oriented drawing, exact source reference, continuity result or measured behaviour. Please distinguish a confirmed observation from an interpretation.\n\nUse the [correction and file-help forms](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/issues/new/choose), following the [contribution guide](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md). To reference this edition in your own work, use GitHub's **Cite this repository** option or [CITATION.cff](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/CITATION.cff), and retain the relevant upstream source credits.\n\nOur original hardware design contributions use **CERN-OHL-W-2.0**; our original documentation, diagrams and workbook presentation use **CC BY-SA 4.0**. Both allow commercial reuse, with attribution/notices and the applicable reciprocal sharing requirements. See [licence scope and full texts](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/LICENSE.md) and [third-party notices](https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference/blob/main/THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md). The licences do not claim ownership of pinout facts or replace upstream terms.\n\nFollow the project and join the discussion on the [Level1Techs forums: designing an open-source budget 4× V100 SXM2 NVLink backplane](https://forum.level1techs.com/t/designing-an-open-source-budget-4x-v100-sxm2-nvlink-backplane-passive-pcie-vs-pex8749/250801).\n\nThank you to everyone on the [Level1Techs forums](https://forum.level1techs.com/) for your help, ideas and contributions to this project.", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/vx100-and-axm2-reference-for-diy-ai-hardware-projects", "canonical_source": "https://github.com/pigeon-labs-stack/v100-sxm2-reference", "published_at": "2026-10-31 03:29:13+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-10-31 03:48:19.055966+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-infrastructure", "ai-chips", "developer-tools"], "entities": ["Pigeon Labs Stack", "NVIDIA", "V100 SXM2", "NVLink", "KiCad 10.0.7", "VX100", "AXM2"], "also_reported_by": [], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/vx100-and-axm2-reference-for-diy-ai-hardware-projects", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/vx100-and-axm2-reference-for-diy-ai-hardware-projects.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/vx100-and-axm2-reference-for-diy-ai-hardware-projects.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/vx100-and-axm2-reference-for-diy-ai-hardware-projects.jsonld"}}