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How to Use Grove Pi HAT: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

Image of Grove Pi HAT
Cirkit Designer LogoDesign with Grove Pi HAT in Cirkit Designer

Introduction

The Grove Pi HAT by Seeed Studio (Manufacturer Part ID: Raspberry PI HAT) is a versatile add-on board designed for the Raspberry Pi. It simplifies the process of connecting Grove sensors and actuators, making it an excellent choice for rapid prototyping and development of IoT (Internet of Things) projects. The Grove Pi HAT acts as a bridge between the Raspberry Pi and the Grove ecosystem, enabling seamless integration of a wide range of modules such as temperature sensors, light sensors, relays, and more.

Explore Projects Built with Grove Pi HAT

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Raspberry Pi 4B-Based Multi-Sensor Interface Hub with GPS and GSM
Image of Rocket: A project utilizing Grove Pi HAT in a practical application
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B interfaced with an IMX296 color global shutter camera, a Neo 6M GPS module, an Adafruit BMP388 barometric pressure sensor, an MPU-6050 accelerometer/gyroscope, and a Sim800l GSM module for cellular connectivity. Power management is handled by an MT3608 boost converter, which steps up the voltage from a Lipo battery, with a resettable fuse PTC and a 1N4007 diode for protection. The Adafruit Perma-Proto HAT is used for organizing connections and interfacing the sensors and modules with the Raspberry Pi via I2C and GPIO pins.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Raspberry Pi Pico-Based Navigation Assistant with Bluetooth and GPS
Image of sat_dish: compass example: A project utilizing Grove Pi HAT in a practical application
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller interfaced with an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication, an HMC5883L compass module for magnetic field measurement, and a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking. The Pico is configured to communicate with the HC-05 via serial connection (TX/RX), with the compass module via I2C (SCL/SDA), and with the GPS module via serial (TX/RX). Common power (VCC) and ground (GND) lines are shared among all modules, indicating a unified power system.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Raspberry Pi 5 Smart Weather Station with GPS and AI Integration
Image of Senior Design: A project utilizing Grove Pi HAT in a practical application
This circuit integrates a Raspberry Pi 5 with various peripherals including an 8MP 3D stereo camera, an AI Hat, a BMP388 sensor, a 16x2 I2C LCD, and an Adafruit Ultimate GPS module. The Raspberry Pi serves as the central processing unit, interfacing with the camera for image capture, the AI Hat for AI processing, the BMP388 for environmental sensing, the LCD for display, and the GPS module for location tracking, with a USB Serial TTL for serial communication.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Raspberry Pi Pico-Based Navigation System with Bluetooth and GPS
Image of sat_dish: pwm application: A project utilizing Grove Pi HAT in a practical application
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller interfaced with multiple peripherals for navigation and control. It includes an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication, an HMC5883L compass for magnetic heading detection, a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking, and an SG90 servomotor for actuation. The Pico manages data exchange with the GPS and compass via serial connections, controls the servomotor, and communicates wirelessly through the HC-05 module.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with Grove Pi HAT

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Image of Rocket: A project utilizing Grove Pi HAT in a practical application
Raspberry Pi 4B-Based Multi-Sensor Interface Hub with GPS and GSM
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B interfaced with an IMX296 color global shutter camera, a Neo 6M GPS module, an Adafruit BMP388 barometric pressure sensor, an MPU-6050 accelerometer/gyroscope, and a Sim800l GSM module for cellular connectivity. Power management is handled by an MT3608 boost converter, which steps up the voltage from a Lipo battery, with a resettable fuse PTC and a 1N4007 diode for protection. The Adafruit Perma-Proto HAT is used for organizing connections and interfacing the sensors and modules with the Raspberry Pi via I2C and GPIO pins.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of sat_dish: compass example: A project utilizing Grove Pi HAT in a practical application
Raspberry Pi Pico-Based Navigation Assistant with Bluetooth and GPS
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller interfaced with an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication, an HMC5883L compass module for magnetic field measurement, and a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking. The Pico is configured to communicate with the HC-05 via serial connection (TX/RX), with the compass module via I2C (SCL/SDA), and with the GPS module via serial (TX/RX). Common power (VCC) and ground (GND) lines are shared among all modules, indicating a unified power system.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Senior Design: A project utilizing Grove Pi HAT in a practical application
Raspberry Pi 5 Smart Weather Station with GPS and AI Integration
This circuit integrates a Raspberry Pi 5 with various peripherals including an 8MP 3D stereo camera, an AI Hat, a BMP388 sensor, a 16x2 I2C LCD, and an Adafruit Ultimate GPS module. The Raspberry Pi serves as the central processing unit, interfacing with the camera for image capture, the AI Hat for AI processing, the BMP388 for environmental sensing, the LCD for display, and the GPS module for location tracking, with a USB Serial TTL for serial communication.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of sat_dish: pwm application: A project utilizing Grove Pi HAT in a practical application
Raspberry Pi Pico-Based Navigation System with Bluetooth and GPS
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller interfaced with multiple peripherals for navigation and control. It includes an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication, an HMC5883L compass for magnetic heading detection, a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking, and an SG90 servomotor for actuation. The Pico manages data exchange with the GPS and compass via serial connections, controls the servomotor, and communicates wirelessly through the HC-05 module.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

  • IoT prototyping and development
  • Smart home automation systems
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Robotics and automation projects
  • Educational projects and STEM learning

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Details

Parameter Specification
Compatible Boards Raspberry Pi 2/3/4, Raspberry Pi Zero
Input Voltage 5V (via Raspberry Pi GPIO header)
Communication Protocol I2C
Grove Ports 15 (Digital, Analog, I2C, UART, PWM)
Operating Temperature -20°C to 70°C
Dimensions 65mm x 56mm x 25mm

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The Grove Pi HAT connects to the Raspberry Pi via the GPIO header. Below is a description of the key pins and their functions:

Pin Name Pin Number Description
5V Power 2, 4 Supplies power to the Grove Pi HAT and modules.
Ground (GND) 6, 9, 14 Common ground for the circuit.
I2C SDA 3 Data line for I2C communication.
I2C SCL 5 Clock line for I2C communication.
GPIO Pins Various Used for digital, analog, UART, and PWM signals.

Usage Instructions

How to Use the Grove Pi HAT in a Circuit

  1. Attach the Grove Pi HAT: Align the Grove Pi HAT with the GPIO header on your Raspberry Pi and gently press it down to ensure a secure connection.
  2. Connect Grove Modules: Plug Grove sensors or actuators into the appropriate ports on the HAT (e.g., digital, analog, I2C, UART).
  3. Power the Raspberry Pi: Supply power to the Raspberry Pi via its micro-USB or USB-C port (depending on the model).
  4. Install Required Software:
    • Boot up the Raspberry Pi and ensure it has an internet connection.
    • Open a terminal and install the Grove Pi library:
      curl -kL dexterindustries.com/update_grovepi | bash
      
    • Reboot the Raspberry Pi after installation.
  5. Write and Run Code: Use Python or other supported languages to interact with the connected Grove modules.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Ensure the Raspberry Pi is powered off before attaching or detaching the Grove Pi HAT.
  • Use the correct Grove port type (digital, analog, I2C, UART) for each module.
  • Avoid exceeding the maximum current draw of the Raspberry Pi GPIO header (typically 50mA per pin).
  • Regularly update the Grove Pi firmware and libraries for optimal performance.

Example Code for Using a Grove Temperature Sensor

Below is an example Python script for reading data from a Grove Temperature Sensor connected to the Grove Pi HAT:


Import the required libraries

import grovepi # Library for interacting with the Grove Pi HAT import time # Library for adding delays in the script

Define the port where the temperature sensor is connected

In this example, the sensor is connected to analog port A0

sensor_port = 0

Main loop to read and display temperature data

try: while True: # Read the temperature value from the sensor temperature = grovepi.temp(sensor_port, '1.1')

    # Print the temperature value to the console
    print(f"Temperature: {temperature:.2f} °C")
    
    # Wait for 1 second before reading again
    time.sleep(1)

except KeyboardInterrupt: # Gracefully exit the script when Ctrl+C is pressed print("Exiting the program.")

except IOError: # Handle errors in case of communication issues print("Error reading from the sensor. Please check the connection.")


Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

  1. Grove Pi HAT Not Detected by Raspberry Pi

    • Solution: Ensure the HAT is securely connected to the GPIO header. Verify that the I2C interface is enabled on the Raspberry Pi by running sudo raspi-config and navigating to "Interfacing Options > I2C".
  2. Sensor Data Not Updating

    • Solution: Check the connection of the sensor to the correct Grove port. Ensure the sensor is compatible with the Grove Pi HAT and that the correct port number is used in the code.
  3. Error: "IOError: [Errno 121] Remote I/O error"

    • Solution: This error typically occurs due to I2C communication issues. Verify that the Grove Pi HAT firmware is up to date and that no other devices are conflicting on the I2C bus.
  4. Raspberry Pi Overheating

    • Solution: Ensure proper ventilation and avoid overloading the GPIO pins with high-current devices. Use a heatsink or fan if necessary.

FAQs

  • Q: Can I use the Grove Pi HAT with Raspberry Pi Pico?
    A: No, the Grove Pi HAT is designed specifically for Raspberry Pi boards with a 40-pin GPIO header.

  • Q: How many Grove modules can I connect simultaneously?
    A: The HAT has 15 ports, but the actual number of modules depends on the power and communication requirements of each module.

  • Q: Is the Grove Pi HAT compatible with third-party Grove modules?
    A: Yes, as long as the modules adhere to the Grove standard and are compatible with the supported port types.

  • Q: Can I use the Grove Pi HAT with other programming languages?
    A: Yes, libraries are available for Python, C, and other languages. Refer to the official documentation for details.