SparkFun has launched two pHATs for Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano and Google Coral : Auto pHAT offers robotic motor and servo control and an Image Management Unit (IMU), while Top pHAT features a 2.3-inch colour display and LEDs, buttons, microphone and speakers for ML prototyping.
SparkFun of Boulder, Colorado, has announced the launch of a $29.95 automatic robot control system and a $49.95 top-level PHAT screen that can be placed on your Pi or the HAT stack. Both pHATs support Nvidia Jetson Nano and Google Coral Dev Board alongside each Raspberry Pi with 40-pin GPIO connector.
SparkFun Auto pHAT (left) and SparkFun Top pHAT
(click on the image to enlarge).
Like most of Sparkfun’s pHAT’s the Top pHAT (for partial RHA) is a raspberry pi zero module, while the pHAT in the larger car is more like normal RHA. It is likely that SparkFun uses the terminology pHAT because Auto pHAT does not support all specifications of the official Raspberry Pi HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) standard. There is no pHAT standard.
Both pHAT’s are open source hardware modules with schematics and hosted Eagle files. We found the products on HelpNetSecurity.
SparkFun is known for its Qwiic touch modules, Raspberry Pi add-on modules and robot kits such as the Jetson Nano, which is based on the IA JetBot kit. It also produces the open source Artemis Bluetooth LE hardware module based on the Cortex-M4F Apollo 3 MCU.
SparkFun Auto pHAT
SparkFun Auto pHAT follows other Raspberry Pi additions for the robot engine and servo control, such as Adafruit Crickit HAT and the SparkFun Auto RVR kit specifically for SparkFun. The extension can control two small DC motors with or without encoders and can support up to four servomotors via I2C. Python packages are available for the most important components.
Dual control automatic lighting (left) and rear view
(click on image to enlarge)
The automatic pHAT uses the same 4245 PSOC motor connection system and 2 channels as the Qwiic SparkFun motor driver. The motor system provides a 1.2 A stationary drive per channel (1.5 A peak) and 127 DC drive levels. The microchip’s ATTINY84A microcontroller supports up to two motor encoders for more precise motion.
The pHAT servo is based on the PWM-compatible SparkFun Servo, which has an I2C connection that frees up the GPIO Pi Raspberry contacts for other applications. There is also a Qwiic connector for interaction with the I2C bus, which is located on the Qwiic modules.
Auto pHAT Detailed display and legend
(click on images to enlarge)
The automatic PHAT is also equipped with an IMU ICM-20948 9DOF for motion measurement. You have access to four selectable ranges of a 3-axis gyroscope and accelerometer and a 3-axis magnetometer.
The USB Type C port can power both a PHAT gun and a purple gun. You can also power the Pi GPIO’s pHAT and use a USB port to establish a serial connection to Pi, so you don’t have to use a monitor or keyboard to set up Pi, SparkFun explains. There is a 5V pass to provide different THA on the car’s pHAT.
SparkFun Top pHAT
SparkFun Top pHAT is a user interface and control panel for your Pi projects, located on Pi or stacked in a HAT. There is no 40-pin pass, but there is a 2.3-inch TFT color screen, buttons, LEDs and audio interface. Applications include a prototype for machine learning, voice control, camera control feedback or system status display.
Top view of details and legend of FAT
(click on images to enlarge)
Top pHAT is equipped with two user keys and a programmable joystick for the graphic interface and the robot control. Other features include a Qwiic connector, 6x LEDs and a switch. Voice control is provided by two microphones and a monophonic loudspeaker. As with Auto pHAT, Top pHAT does not block access to the camera ports or the Raspberry Pi display.
Additional information
The SparkFun Automatic pHAT is available for $29.95 and the SparkFun Top Automatic pHAT is pre-ordered for $49.95 and is due for delivery in May. You can find more information about the SparkFun ads and the pHAT and Hookup Guide, Top pHAT and Hookup Guide purchase page.sparkfun robot,robotic kits
