Pimoroni Interstate 75 RP2040 Based Driver Board for HUB75 LED Matrices

Pimoroni has recently launched the Interstate 75, a compact and efficient driver board powered by the RP2040 microcontroller, specifically designed for HUB75-style LED matrices. This innovative board offers a seamless solution for creating dynamic LED displays, making it an excellent choice for both hobbyists and professionals.

Key Features:

• RP2040 Microcontroller: At its core, the Interstate 75 utilizes the RP2040, a dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor capable of running at up to 133MHz, complemented by 264kB of SRAM.
• Flash Memory: The board is equipped with 2MB of QSPI flash supporting XiP, providing ample storage for various applications.
• Compatibility: Designed to work seamlessly with 32x32, 32x64, and 64x64 LED matrices, offering flexibility for different project requirements.
• Power Options: Features a USB-C connector for both power and programming, capable of delivering up to 3A—sufficient for a single 64x64 panel under standard brightness settings. For higher power demands or multiple panel setups, additional power can be supplied via the onboard screw terminals.
• Connectivity and Controls: Includes a Qw/ST (Qwiic/STEMMA QT) connector for easy integration of compatible breakouts, along with reset and BOOT buttons (the latter doubling as a user button) and an onboard RGB LED for status indication.

The Interstate 75 comes fully assembled, eliminating the need for soldering, and measures approximately 48.5 x 31 x 17mm, including connectors. Its design emphasizes ease of use, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced developers aiming to implement LED matrix displays in their projects.

For software development, the board supports multiple environments, including C++, MicroPython, and CircuitPython. Pimoroni offers dedicated libraries that leverage the RP2040's Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines and Direct Memory Access (DMA) to optimize performance, ensuring smooth visuals with 10-bit gamma-corrected color depth. While C++ provides the best performance, beginners might find the MicroPython build more accessible for initial projects.

In summary, the Interstate 75 by Pimoroni presents a robust and user-friendly solution for driving HUB75 LED matrices, combining powerful hardware with versatile software support to cater to a wide range of display applications.

If you're interested, you can check out the details of the project on Pimoroni's product page and see how it can be integrated into your next project.