Adapter board accelerates Raspberry Pi-based designs

The HAT adapter is a plug-in peripheral module that enables rapid prototyping without the need for soldering, saving time and cost in PCB development and project timescales.

The board is supported by some examples of Python software code, which have been developed specifically around analogue Pmod functions to help the Raspberry Pi user community develop real-world instrumentation, monitoring and control applications.

This adapter’s release follows the launch of the Pmod Shield-Uno adapter for the Arduino and PSOC6 platforms.

These Pmods, or peripheral modules, can quickly turn standard development kits into functional prototypes.

The product also brings Digilent's Pmod modules and shields to a significantly wider user base, as they can now easily be used with both Pi-, Cypress PSOC users, and Arduino-R3 based development projects.

Previously Pmods were used with FPGA development boards and a small selection of microcontroller development kits.

The DesignSpark Pmod adapter can be used with a wide selection of Raspberry Pi models including the: Model A+, Model B+, Pi 2 B, Pi 3 B, and the Zero and Zero W versions.

It also allows users to interface with a multitude of Digilent Pmods that are also available from RS, such as: the PmodAD1 two-channel 12-bit ADC module; the PmodISNS20 high-accuracy Hall Effect current sensor; or the PmodOLEDrgb, an organic RGB LED module with a 96x64 pixel display and 16-bit colour resolution.

Specifications of the adapter include: 40-pin Raspberry Pi GPIO (General-Purpose Input/Output) header, with 26 3.3V-compatible GPIOs; support for SPI, I2C and UART connections; a 16mA current limit for all PMOD GPIOs; and a 5V barrel jack for external power

The DesignSpark Pmod HAT adapter for Raspberry Pi is now shipping from RS in the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.