Computing platforms enhance Raspberry Pi ecosystem

23rd January 2017

Mick Elliott

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element14 has global exclusivity on supply of the new BitScope Blade range, which offers the ability to conveniently power and mount multiple Raspberry Pi’s. BitScope Blades are designed for building scalable computing solutions ranging from stand-alone servers, routers and workstations up to full compute clusters, private clouds, networked physical computing and Industrial IoT systems.

Every Blade can be used with simple plug packs, 12V batteries, solar power systems, low cost uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and even passive power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions to up 48V.

They may be used individually on the desktop, wall mounted or multiple Blades may be installed in racks for large scale deployment.

Blades offer full access to Raspberry Pi I/O for displays, cameras, keyboards, expansion boards and peripherals including BitScopes, Raspberry Pi HATs and the Raspberry Pi 7” Touchscreen Display.

BitScope Blade is available in three editions based upon the number of Raspberry Pi boards mounted.

The BitScope Blade Uno is a flexible power and mounting solution for one Raspberry Pi computer and optional HAT. It targets makers, students and engineers using the Raspberry Pi.

The BitScope Blade Duo is a desktop, rack or wall mountable power and mounting solution for a pair of Raspberry Pi computers, ideal for building a reliable stand-alone desktop & server system with the Raspberry Pi.

The BitScope Blade Quattro is a desktop, rack or wall mountable power and mounting solution for four Raspberry Pi computers, ideal for creating compute clusters, private clouds or build farms with the Raspberry Pi.

Claire Doyle, Global Head of Raspberry Pi and Single Board Computing for element14, said: “The BitScope Blade is a really exciting addition to our ecosystem of Raspberry Pi accessories as it increases potential to use the Raspberry Pi within new applications as well as providing power reliability required for industrial use. We work with an increasing number of start-ups designing-in the Raspberry Pi for commercial and industrial use. This new product has the potential to create a step-change in opportunities within the industrial sector, and facilitate a revolution in the use of single board computers within industry”

Bruce Tulloch, CEO of BitScope Designs, responded: “Our experience working with hundreds industrial customers using BitScope with Raspberry Pi demonstrated the key problem most of them faced was finding a cost effective, reliable and scalable power and mounting solution for Raspberry Pi and its accessories. BitScope Blade is our solution, customised specifically to the needs of our industrial, commercial and educational customers.”

The product should find acceptance with professional engineers, students and hobbyists as a solution to broaden industrial design applications for Raspberry Pi.