Sequent Microsystems has launched a crowdfunding campaign for a Hardware Attached on Top (HAT) accessory designed for the Raspberry Pi 5 and earlier models. This HAT provides 16 "universal inputs" that support both analog and digital signals. It can be stacked up to eight boards tall, allowing for a total of 128 inputs. The goal is to bridge the gap between the high computing power of the Raspberry Pi 5 and its limitations in processing analog and digital signals. The inputs can be configured for various devices, including thermistors, dry-contact inputs, counters, and 0-10V analog signals, with a sampling rate of 500Hz.
Sequent Microsystems' Mihai Beffa explains that while the
Raspberry Pi 5 is significantly faster in computing, it can still handle analog and digital signals effectively. The SixteenUniversal Inputs HAT addresses this by connecting the Raspberry Pi to the
"Real World," offering up to 128 analog or digital inputs.
Sixteen Universal Analog/Digital Inputs HAT Features:-
- Sixteen Universal Inputs, 8-Layer Stackable HAT for Raspberry Pi
- Each
input can be configured to process either analog or digital signals:
- 1K
thermistors
- 10K
thermistors
- 0-10V
analog inputs, 500Hz sample rate
- Dry
contact inputs
- Counter
inputs
- Eight
Level Stackable
- Pluggable
Connectors 26-16 AWG wires
- Eight
software-programmable bi-color LEDs
- RS485
in and out ports
- 5VDC
Power Supply powers also the Raspberry Pi
- Real-Time Clock with Battery Backup
- Onboard hardware watchdog
- Resettable
fuse
- TVS
protection on all inputs
- 32-bit
Processor running at 64MHz
- Uses
only I2C port (address 0x48 to 0x4f), leaves all GPIO pins available
- No
jumpers: input mode selection from DIP switches
- Command
line
- Python Library
- Node-Red nodes
- All
mounting hardware included: stand-offs, screws and nuts
- Open-source hardware and software
The HAT can be used with any Raspberry Pi or as a
stand-alone device connected through MODBUS to a standard Programmable Logic
Controller (PLC). Sequent Microsystems offers nine other HATs with the same
form factor that can be stacked along with the Sixteen Inputs.
The general-purpose input/output
(GPIO) pins of the HAT remain open for other purposes, as it connects to the
Raspberry Pi over the I2C bus. A 32-bit CPU operating at 64MHz, a resettable
fuse, RS485 input and output ports, and a real-time clock with battery backup
are all included on each board. The Sixteen Inputs HAT is currently running a Kickstarter campaign. Physical prizes are planned to ship in February and are
priced at $59.