SparkFun Auto pHAT Hookup Guide

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Introduction

Introducing, the Auto pHAT! The *perfect GIF(t) to get that HAT moving...

dor-15 GIF

Source: Youtube Doris from Disney's Meet the Robinsons

Terrible pun aside, this product isn't capable of creating DOR-15 (aka Doris), but it will get you started on your robotics adventure.

SparkFun Auto pHAT for Raspberry Pi

SparkFun Auto pHAT for Raspberry Pi

ROB-16328
$32.50
1

This device combines a few of our existing products onto a single pHAT. On the Auto pHAT you will find the following components:

  • 4 Channel Servo Controller
  • A 9-DoF IMU
  • USB-C Power Input
  • Qwiic Motor Driver
  • Rotary Encoder Input
  • A Qwiic connector
  • There are dozens of applicable projects for this product, you can even use it to get started with your rover and robotics applications. Its limits are up to you.

    Required Materials

    The required materials will depend on your project. However, at minimum, users will need:

    • A single board computer (SBC)
      • Must have a 40-pin Raspberry Pi compatible header
    • An SD card
    • Power supply (or power source)
    • Additional accessories:
      • Servos
      • Motors
      • Encoders
      • Chassis and Wheels
      • Header (optional)
    • Tools:
      • Small Flathead Screw Driver

    Single Board Computers

    Each of the SBCs that we offer have a unique facet that separates it from the others. There is a 40-pin Raspberry Pi compatible header on each of the SBCs.

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2 GB)

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2 GB)

    DEV-15446
    $45.00
    4
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4 GB)

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4 GB)

    DEV-15447
    $55.00
    21
    Raspberry Pi 3 B+

    Raspberry Pi 3 B+

    DEV-14643
    $35.00
    40
    Raspberry Pi 3 A+

    Raspberry Pi 3 A+

    DEV-15139
    $25.00
    4
    Raspberry Pi Zero W (with Headers)

    Raspberry Pi Zero W (with Headers)

    DEV-15470
    $16.00
    8

    NVIDIA Jetson Nano Developer Kit (V3)

    DEV-16271
    14
    Note: When using the Raspberry Pi 4 with heat sink case, a compatible header that provides enough clearance and interfaces with the Auto pHAT is required.

    SD Cards

    These SD cards in our catalog are tested and known to work with all the models of the Raspberry Pi and the Jetson Nano (excluding the NOOBS card).

    microSD Card with Adapter - 32GB (Class 10)

    microSD Card with Adapter - 32GB (Class 10)

    COM-14832
    $26.95 $14.95
    1

    microSD Card with Adapter - 64GB (Class 10)

    COM-14833
    Retired

    microSD Card - 16GB (Class 10)

    COM-15051

    SparkFun Noobs Card for Raspberry Pi (16GB)

    COM-15052
    Note: For first time Raspberry Pi users, we recommend using the NOOBS version as it has the required OS pre-installed.

    Power Supplies

    Use the appropriate power supply for the SCB you choose. The battery pack and USB-C cable are specifically for the Auto pHAT to supplement the current draw of the motor driver and servo controller.

    Raspberry Pi Wall Adapter Power Supply - 5.1VDC, 3.0A, 15.3W (USB-C)

    Raspberry Pi Wall Adapter Power Supply - 5.1VDC, 3.0A, 15.3W (USB-C)

    TOL-15448
    $8.00
    7
    Wall Adapter Power Supply - 5.1V DC 2.5A (USB Micro-B)

    Wall Adapter Power Supply - 5.1V DC 2.5A (USB Micro-B)

    TOL-13831
    $8.95
    23
    Power Supply - 5V, 4A

    Power Supply - 5V, 4A

    TOL-15352
    $13.95
    USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot

    USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot

    CAB-14743
    $5.50
    4

    Low Current Lithium Ion Battery Pack - 2.5Ah (USB)

    TOL-15204
    3 Retired

    Servos

    The Auto pHAT has 4 available servo channels. This is perfect if for users looking to add a pan-tilt bracket for their camera, a claw, or any other servo or PWM related mechanism (like a robotic arm).

    Pan/Tilt Bracket Kit (Single Attachment)

    Pan/Tilt Bracket Kit (Single Attachment)

    ROB-14391
    $7.50
    9

    Standard Gripper Kit A - Channel Mount

    ROB-13174
    4 Retired

    Standard Gripper Kit B - Straight Mount

    ROB-13175
    1 Retired

    Chassis, Motor, and Wheels

    The motor driver on the Auto pHAT has 2 H-Bridge drive channels for DC motors. We recommend the hobby motor with encoder as the Auto pHAT was designed to match the pin layout of this product.

    Hobby Motor - Gear

    Hobby Motor - Gear

    ROB-11696
    $2.10
    4
    Hobby Gearmotor - 140 RPM (Pair)

    Hobby Gearmotor - 140 RPM (Pair)

    ROB-13302
    $5.50
    6
    Hobby Motor with Encoder - Metal Gear (DG01D-E)

    Hobby Motor with Encoder - Metal Gear (DG01D-E)

    ROB-16413
    $7.95
    4
    Micro Gearmotor - 90 RPM (6-12V)

    Micro Gearmotor - 90 RPM (6-12V)

    ROB-12285
    $13.95
    6
    Hobby Gearmotor -  65 RPM (Right Angle, Pair)

    Hobby Gearmotor - 65 RPM (Right Angle, Pair)

    ROB-13258
    $5.50
    2
    Planetary Gearmotor - 140RPM

    Planetary Gearmotor - 140RPM

    ROB-15277
    $6.50
    1
    Note: Users looking to add brushless DC motors, which are usually driven by an ESC, shouldn't be using the H-Bridge. ESCs are controlled through a PWM signal and required a specific power source. The servo/PWM controller may work, but users should also consider the arming process.

    Besides a motor, users will also need a chassis or some kind of structure to assemble all the components on. You can't really call it a vehicle, if all you have is a motor.

    Rover 5 Robot Platform

    ROB-10336
    3 Retired

    Robotics Shield Kit for Arduino - Parallax

    ROB-11494
    1 Retired

    Actobotics Kit - ActoBitty 2

    ROB-13047
    3 Retired

    Circular Robotics Chassis Kit (Three-Layer)

    ROB-14339
    Retired

    GoPiGo Beginner Starter Kit

    ROB-14801
    Retired
    STS-Pi - Build a Roving Robot!

    STS-Pi - Build a Roving Robot!

    DEV-15735
    Retired

    Wheels... these are pretty self explanatory. If you don't have them, then you can't get rolling (or tracks for "track-tion").

    Wheel - 65mm (Rubber Tire, Pair)

    Wheel - 65mm (Rubber Tire, Pair)

    ROB-13259
    $3.50
    2

    Mecanum Wheels - 65mm, (4 Pack)

    ROB-15536
    Retired

    Header

    This is an optional item. For users looking to stack HATs, a header might be required for additional clearance between boards or components.

    Extended GPIO Female Header - 2x20 Pin (16mm/7.30mm)

    Extended GPIO Female Header - 2x20 Pin (16mm/7.30mm)

    PRT-16763
    $2.25
    Extended GPIO Female Header - 2x20 Pin (13.5mm/9.80mm)

    Extended GPIO Female Header - 2x20 Pin (13.5mm/9.80mm)

    PRT-16764
    $2.25
    Note: Users shouldn't use the Raspberry Pi GPIO Tall Header (PRT-14017), as the (male) pins on the header aren't quite long enough to reach into the (female) socket on the Auto pHAT.

    Screw Driver

    To tighten and loosen the screw terminals, users will need a small flathead screw driver. The head will need to be ~1.5mm; anything around 2mm will most likely be too large.

    Tool Kit - Screwdriver and Bit Set

    Tool Kit - Screwdriver and Bit Set

    TOL-10865
    $10.95
    8
    iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit

    iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit

    TOL-15256
    $29.95
    1

    Magnetic Screwdriver Set (20 Piece)

    TOL-15003
    1 Retired

    Electric Hobby Screwdriver Set

    TOL-15548
    Retired

    Click the button above to toggle a list of additional accessories that are available from our catalog.

    Peripherals

    For users looking to use the desktop graphical user interface (GUI), they will also need the following:
    • TV, Display, or Monitor
    • Compatible HDMI Cable
    • USB Keyboard and Mouse
    Displays
    For beginners we recommend using a modern TV (i.e. with an HDMI input) or computer monitor, as it will undoubtedly be easier and more intuitive for users to setup.
    Compatible HDMI Cable
    If you don't have an HDMI cable (and possible adapter), these have been tested to work with following Raspberry Pi models:
    Raspberry Pi Zero W model:
    Mini HDMI Cable - 3ft

    Mini HDMI Cable - 3ft

    CAB-14274
    $5.50
    2
    Raspberry Pi 3 A+/B+ models:

    HDMI Cable - 6ft

    CAB-11572
    1 Retired

    Note: If your display doesn't have an HDMI input, you will need to source an appropriate adapter. There are DVI and VGA to HDMI adapters, that will work on older computer monitors. Unfortunately, we don't have any adapters or a list of optional products for more outdated inputs (i.e. RCA, S-video, Component, or coaxial inputs).

    USB Keyboard and Mouse
    If you don't already have a USB keyboard and mouse, we do offer a multimedia keyboard that has been tested as a plug-and-play option for the Raspberry Pi models in our catalog.
    Multimedia Wireless Keyboard

    Multimedia Wireless Keyboard

    WIG-14271
    $29.95 $19.95
    5

    Note: This keyboard is similar to a smaller laptop form factor in the button layout. Users with the Raspberry Pi Zero W models will need an additional USB (OTG) cable.

    SBC Kits

    Additionally, we do offer single board computer kits, which will include some of the accessories first-time users may already need.

    SparkFun DLI Kit for Jetson Nano

    KIT-16308
    6 Retired

    SparkFun Raspberry Pi Zero W Basic Kit

    KIT-14298
    5 Retired

    Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Starter Kit

    KIT-15361
    2 Retired

    SparkFun JetBot AI Kit v2.0 Powered by Jetson Nano

    KIT-16390
    1 Retired

    Suggested Reading

    Note: First time Raspberry Pi users should also head over to the Raspberry Pi Foundation website and check out their quickstart guides:

    We have also listed a few additional resources for users to familiarize themselves with the Raspberry Pi:

    Below are some of our related tutorials that may be of interest to beginners:

    Logic Levels

    Learn the difference between 3.3V and 5V devices and logic levels.

    I2C

    An introduction to I2C, one of the main embedded communications protocols in use today.

    Serial Terminal Basics

    This tutorial will show you how to communicate with your serial devices using a variety of terminal emulator applications.

    SD Cards and Writing Images

    How to upload images to an SD card for Raspberry Pi, PCDuino, or your favorite SBC.

    Raspberry Pi SPI and I2C Tutorial

    Learn how to use serial I2C and SPI buses on your Raspberry Pi using the wiringPi I/O library for C/C++ and spidev/smbus for Python.

    Headless Raspberry Pi Setup

    Configure a Raspberry Pi without a keyboard, mouse, or monitor.

    Python Programming Tutorial: Getting Started with the Raspberry Pi

    This guide will show you how to write programs on your Raspberry Pi using Python to control hardware.

    How to Use Remote Desktop on the Raspberry Pi with VNC

    Use RealVNC to connect to your Raspberry Pi to control the graphical desktop remotely across the network.