Single-board mini computers from the Raspberry Pi series have gained recognition around the world. They are used by both home-type tinkerers and professional designers of programmable electronic devices. In 2019, the latest model appeared on sale - the Raspberry Pi 4B. Compared to previous models, Pi 4B has been equipped with an even more efficient quad-core processor Broadcom BCM2711 clocked at 1,5 GHz of frequency and for the first time, it consists two Micro HDMI outputs for external monitors instead of a single standard A-type HDMI connector. You can use the Raspberry Pi 4B in the same way as a standard PC for internet browsing and office work, as well as a driver for physical devices with electronic and mechanical systems, thanks to the versatile 40-pin GPIO connector. By using the GPIO connector in Raspberry Pi, you can easily create a home automation management centre, electrical drive controller, audiophile D-class amplifier, retro-style gaming machine, remote control apparatus for unmanned vehicles and much more! Sounds marvellous, isn't it? And it's still real to come true - just use the Raspberry Pi HAT hardware extension boards that are GPIO-compatible with Raspberry Pi 4B!
Raspberry Pi 4B GPIO extensions and HAT
RTC module DS3231 I2C - real time clock
Module with real time clock, allows you to read the time in hours, minutes, and seconds, and to read the date: month, day, year. The device was based on the DS3231 system,...Raspberry Pi PoE+ HAT - Power over Ethernet for Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+ - SC0468
Cap designed for Raspberry Pi 3B+ and 4B versions which are equipped with 4-pin PoE connector. It allows simultaneous communication with LAN and powering the minicomputer...Logic level bi-directional converter, 4-channel - SparkFun BOB-12009
The module allows to exchange data between systems that use the most popular voltages levels: 5 V and 3.3 V and 1.8 V and 2.8 V. Works in both directions simultaneously. It has...Ethernet / USB (B) HUB - 3xUSB 1xRJ45 Ethernet - frontend Overlay for Raspberry Pi - Waveshare 20416
Overlay for Raspberry Pi, adding three USB ports and one RJ45 Ethernet port. It has an embedded Ethernet RTL8152B chip. The pogo pin layout allows the overlay to connect...Logic level bi-directional converter, 4-channel - Pololu 2595
Miniature (13 x 10 mm). the module allows to exchange data between systems that use the most popular voltage levels ranging from 1.5 V to 18 V and Vice versa. Four channels to...Raspberry Pi DAC Pro - sound card for Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+/3B
The Raspberry Pi DAC Pro is based on the Burr Brown PCM5242 32-bit / 384 kHz converter, allows for Full HD 24-bit / 192 kHz audio playback. The module is equipped with two...Logic level converter 3,3V / 5V - I2C UART SPI
The module allows to exchange data between systems that use two popular voltages: 3.3 V and 5 V. It provides connection of interfaces: UART, SPI and I2C.TV HAT tuner DVB-T - module with decoder for Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+/3B/Zero
Shield for Raspberry Pi which consists to the tuner of the terrestrial television. It enables the reception of all available, uncoded channels of digital terrestrial...IQaudIO DAC+ - sound card for Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+/3B
The sound card designed for the Raspberry Pi minicomputer provides high quality Full HD 24-bit/192 kHz audio with built-in hardware volume control via the Linux built-in...RPi Relay Board - 3 relays - cap for Raspberry Pi - Waveshare 11638
Cap fitted to connectors of Raspberry Pi GPIO in version 4B, 3B+, 3B, 2B, B+ and A+, with three relays with parameters of 250 V / 10 A. Board has a screw connector....4-channel logic level converter
The module allows to exchange data between systems that use the most popular levels of voltage: 5 V <-> 3.3 V and 3.3 V <-> 1,8 V. It works in both directions simulatneously....MCP23017 - I2C 16-channel output expander
The system allows to increase the number of pins (up to 16 ) of the microcontroller (including minicomputer of Raspberry Pi). It communicates with the central unit via the I2C...MSX RTC DS1307 I2C - real time clock
Module with real time clock and backup battery (battery included). It allows you to read the time in hours, minutes, and seconds, date: month, day, year. The communication...MCP23018-E/SP - 16-Bit I/O Expander with Open-Drain Outputs
The system allows to increase the number of pins (up to 16) of the microcontroller (including minicomputer Raspberry Pi). It communicates with the central unit via the I2C bus...MAX98357A decoder stereo DAC I2S - SparkFun DEV-14809
The stereo decoder's module DAC to communicate through the I2S interface. Built-in class D amplifier can provide up to 3.2 W of power to the speakers or headphones with...Logic level transmitter TXB0104 bi-directional, 4-channel - SparkFun BOB-11771
The module allows to exchange the data between systems that use the most popular voltage levels: from 1.2 V to 3.6 V for VCCA inputs, and from 1.65 V to 5.5 V for VCCB inputs....Breakout Pi Zero - prototype board for Raspberry Pi Zero
The board allows you to create your own electronic circuits . It is connected directly to GPIO pins of Raspberry Pi minicomputer. It has separate pins, in groups, as well...Proto Board for Raspberry Pi Zero
Board allows independent creation of electronic circuits. Connected directly to the GPIO pins of the Raspberry Pi minicomputer in a version Zero.ProtoPi Plus Side - extension GPIO Raspberry Pi 4/3/2/B for breadboard + tape
The module allows you to connect the GPIO leads of the Raspberry Pi 4, 3, 2 and B plus minicomputer to popular 830-hole contact boards using the included 40-wire tape. The...1 Wire Pi Plus DS2482 - 1-Wire module for Raspberry Pi
Shield for Raspberry based on DS2482-100 system which allows you to use the 1-Wire protocol. The module provides a conversion of the I2C interface. It has built-in a RJ12...MCP3424 - ADC 18-bit 4-channel I2C converter
Module with analog-digital converter, delta-sigma type with 18-bit precision. It is equipped with four channels with differential inputs. It works at speed of up to 240 samples...L76X Multi-GNSS HAT - GPS/BDS/QZSS for Raspberry Pi 4B/3B+/3B/2B/Zero - Waveshare 16193
The GNSS overlay for Raspberry Pi and Jetson Nano minicomputers supports Multi-GNSS systems: GPS, BDS and QZSS. The main advantages of the module are fast positioning, high...See also
Comprehensive control units for robotics projects
Kiedy tworzymy projekt robota, dobrze jest zadbać o jego dobre wyposażenie pod kątem układów sterowania. Znakomitym solution jest nakładka 4tronix RoboHAT. Ten moduł zawiera zestaw programowalnych wejść i wyjść, to których możesz podłączyć czujniki, buzzers, LEDs oraz sterownik silników elektrycznych i serwomechanizmów. Nakładka została starannie zmontowana i jest gotowa do podłączenia do Raspberry Pi bezpośrednio po unboxing. Zasilanie modułu może być podłączone poprzez złącze śrubowe ARK oraz gniazdo zasilające DC jack. Konstruktorzy udostępnili przykładowe programy i zestawy instrukcji w Pythonie, w oparciu o które użytkownik może poznać zasadę działania robotów. Z tego powodu, nakładkę RobotHAT szczególnie polecamy osobom rozpoczynającym przygodę z robotyką.
An interesting offer for music and electronics enthusiasts
Using the Pimoroni Piano HAT overlay, you can turn the Raspberry Pi 4B into a simple music synthesizer with keyboard and buttons. According to the standards in the hardware design of synthesizers and drum machines since the 1980s, this overlay supports MIDI protocol (Musical Instruments Digital Interface). The keyboard contains a single octave with a C1-C2 tonal range (13 notes). These are capacitive touch keys. In addition, the user has at his disposal buttons for changing the tonal range (Octave Up / Octave Down) and a button for selecting sound presets stored in memory. The Piano HAT overlay is equipped with a GPIO connector that is compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4B minicomputer hardware. A practical feature of the overlay is built-in LEDs that perform an educational function. All you have to do is follow which of the LEDs that are linked with keys are lights up to learn to play simple songs from scratch. The program implementing this function was written in Python and is pre-loaded into memory in the Piano HAT module. The alternative,,non-musical” project, which you can create by using this board is a whac-a-mole game.
A simple way to control electrical circuits powered by mains voltage
Also, SparkFun Electronics has prepared interesting hardware extensions for Raspberry Pi. The RELAYplate module contains seven Single-Pole Single-Throw Normally Opened electromechanical relays. With this overlay, you can control the circuits powered by a voltage of 120VAC or 30VDC. The overlay allows you to switch-on and switch-off the power supply of electric motors, pumps, fans, lighting, heaters and other electrical devices. The kit includes a protective cover to prevent accidental electric shock due to contact with high voltage circuits. At the same time, you can connect eight such modules together, which gives you the ability to control up to 56 circuits in parallel, independently of each other. The board is equipped with LEDs that indicate the state of contacts of individual relays. The RelayPLATE overlay is controlled by a 40-pin GPIO connector, the pin layout of which is compatible with most models of the Raspberry Pi minicomputer, including Pi 4B.