New PiFace Add-On Accessories for Raspberry Pi
The hugely popular PiFace range of add-ons for the Raspberry Pi has been updated to be compatible with the model B+ (series 2) and expanded with the SHIM family of products.
- Sense and Control with Raspberry Pi
- Portability Solution with LCD, IR and Switches
- Real Time Clock for time stamping
- GPIO Expansion
Product Description
The hugely popular PiFace range of add-ons for the Raspberry Pi has been updated to be compatible with the model B+ (series 2) and expanded with the SHIM family of products.
PiFace Digital and PiFace Control and Display are now available with improved software for LCDProc and XBMC.
PiFace Digital 2 helps to sense and control real world applications, connecting switches, lights, motors and more to the Raspberry Pi so that it can interface with the world around it. It includes components like relays, switches, digital and analogue I/O.
PiFace CAD 2: Go Portable with PiFace Control and Display 2 allows you to take your Raspberry Pi with you anywhere on the go. You can leave the monitor, keyboard and mouse behind, as it includes a character display to display information and menus. You can control your Raspberry Pi with onboard buttons and knob or with an IR remote control.
It is ideal for using in XBMC media servers, internet radios or in other Raspberry Pi applications and improved LCDpro open source software helps you to keep a track of system performance.
The new SHIM accessories enable extra functionality without sacrificing the Raspberry Pi GPIO, achieved by using a uniquely designed thin layer of PCB with pin-through holes. It sits on top of the Raspberry Pi header and still has enough space to add additional add-on accessories. The SHIM accessories include a Real Time Clock (RTC) and GPIO extensions.
The RTC allows your Pi to keep a track of the current time with accuracy without using up the GPIO header. A back-up battery can also be used to ensure on-going timekeeping operation in power-down situations.
The GPIO extender makes it easy to use more add-on accessories and work with breadboard, attach wires or implement pin testing all at the same time. With one set of holes placed over the Raspberry Pi headers, the other set of holes on the SHIM can accommodate header pins, wires etc to support the user’s application while not covering up the header pins for additional add-on boardsDigital 2
2 Change over Relays; 4 Tactile Switches; 8 Digital Inputs; 8 Open-Collector Outputs; 8 LED Indicators; Graphical Emulator; Easy to program in Python 3 and 2, Scratch and C; Support for interrupts.
Control and Display
16-character by 2-line alphanumeric display; User-definable custom characters; LED display backlight; IR receiver for infrared remote control; 3-position navigation switch; 5 tactile switches; Quick and easy menu-building Python libraries provided.
SHIM accessories
RTC: Microchip MCP7940N Battery backed RTCC device; Does not use up the Raspberry Pi GPIO headers; Compatible with Raspberry Pi Models( A, B and B+); Works with 26 or 40 Raspberry Pi GPIO header pins; Fits within Raspberry Pi footprint; Add a real time clock for time stamping applications; Will fit under most add-on boards; I²C connection; 3V battery (2 year lifespan not supplied). GPIO (coming soon): Does not use up the Raspberry Pi GPIO headers; Compatible with Raspberry Pi Models( A, B and B+); Works with 26 or 40 Raspberry Pi GPIO header pins.