SparkFun Top pHAT Hookup Guide

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Introduction

Drum roll please... Introducing, the Top pHAT! The pHAT for the top of all your other HATs. Ta-da!!! It makes the perfect GIF(t).

Grammys GIF
Source: GIPHY

Haha... all jokes aside, this pHAT comes bundled with multiple goodies to begin your Raspberry Pi adventure; including a 2.3" TFT screen, which would be a shame to cover up other HATs.

SparkFun Top pHAT for Raspberry Pi

DEV-16301

SparkFun Top pHAT for Raspberry Pi

DEV-16653
Retired

Additionally, on the Top pHAT you will find the following components:

  • 6 addressable WS2812 RGB LEDs
  • 2 MEMS microphones
  • A mono speaker
  • A 5-way tactile switch
  • 2 momentary buttons
  • A Qwiic connector
  • There are dozens of applicable projects for this product, you can even use it to get started with your machine learning applications. The limits are up to you.

    Required Materials

    The required materials will depend on your project. However, at minimum, users will need a Raspberry Pi, an SD card, and a power supply (or power source). Users can include additional accessories and peripherals for their setup.

    Raspberry Pi

    Each of the models of the Raspberry Pi that we offer have a unique facets that separate them from each other.

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4 GB)

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4 GB)

    DEV-15447
    $55.00
    20
    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2 GB)

    Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2 GB)

    DEV-15446
    $45.00
    4
    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
    Note: When using the Raspberry Pi 3 or Pi 4, a compatible header that provides enough clearance and interfaces with the Top pHAT is required. This is especially important for a Raspberry Pi 4 with heat sink case, which may require multiple headers to allow air flow for thermal dissipation.

    SD Cards

    These SD cards in our catalog are tested and known to work with all the models of the Raspberry Pi. For first time users, we recommend using the NOOBS version as it has the required OS pre-installed.

    microSD Card with Adapter - 32GB (Class 10)

    microSD Card with Adapter - 32GB (Class 10)

    COM-14832
    $26.95
    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

    Power Supplies

    These power supplies in our catalog are tested and known to work with the Raspberry Pi models in our catalog.

    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

    ⚡ Note:

    The Raspberry Pi 3 and Zero models require a micro-USB power supply. We recommend using the 5.1V 2.5A power supply.

    The Raspberry Pi 4 models require a USB-C power supply.We recommend using the Official Raspberry Pi power supply to avoid this issue.

    Extension Header

    As noted in a previous section, an extension header is required for the Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi 4 to provided enough clearance between the Top pHAT and Raspberry Pi.

    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
    Raspberry Pi GPIO Ribbon Cable - 40-pin, 6" (RPi 3, RPi2, B+)

    Raspberry Pi GPIO Ribbon Cable - 40-pin, 6" (RPi 3, RPi2, B+)

    CAB-13028
    $3.50

    Pimoroni pHAT Stack - Fully Assembled Kit

    DEV-16303
    Retired

    This is especially important for a Raspberry Pi 4 with heat sink case, which may require multiple headers to allow air flow for thermal dissipation. There are some alternatives for that, listed above.

    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:
    Raspberry Pi Official HDMI Cable (1m)

    Raspberry Pi Official HDMI Cable (1m)

    CAB-17387
    $5.00
    Raspberry Pi 4 models:
    Micro HDMI Cable - 3ft

    Micro HDMI Cable - 3ft

    CAB-15796
    $6.50
    1

    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.

    Raspberry Pi Kits

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

    SparkFun Raspberry Pi 4 Basic Kit - 4GB

    SparkFun Raspberry Pi 4 Basic Kit - 4GB

    KIT-16384
    $96.50
    8
    SparkFun Raspberry Pi 4 Basic Kit - 2GB

    SparkFun Raspberry Pi 4 Basic Kit - 2GB

    KIT-16383
    $84.95
    1

    SparkFun Raspberry Pi Zero W Basic Kit

    KIT-14298
    5 Retired

    Raspberry Pi 3 B+ Starter Kit

    KIT-15361
    2 Retired

    Suggested Reading

    Note: First time 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 Raspberry Pi related tutorials that may be of interest to beginners:

    Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

    SPI is commonly used to connect microcontrollers to peripherals such as sensors, shift registers, and SD cards.

    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.

    How to Run a Raspberry Pi Program on Startup

    In this tutorial, we look at various methods for running a script or program automatically whenever your Raspberry Pi (or other Linux computer) boots up.