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How to Use Adafruit Perma Pi - Small: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs
Design with Adafruit Perma Pi - Small in Cirkit DesignerIntroduction
The Adafruit Perma Pi - Small is a compact prototyping board specifically designed to complement the Raspberry Pi series of single-board computers. It offers a convenient platform for hobbyists, developers, and engineers to solder circuits and components, creating permanent installations and projects that can be integrated with the Raspberry Pi's GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins.
Explore Projects Built with Adafruit Perma Pi - Small
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.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerBattery-Powered Raspberry Pi Zero with OLED Display and EmStat Pico for Portable Data Acquisition
This circuit is a portable system powered by a 3.7V LiPo battery, which is boosted to 5V using an Adafruit PowerBoost 1000C to power a Raspberry Pi Zero and an EmStat Pico. The Raspberry Pi Zero interfaces with an OLED display via I2C and a tactile switch for user input, while the EmStat Pico communicates with the Raspberry Pi over UART for data acquisition or control purposes.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerRaspberry 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.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerATmega328P-Based Sensor Hub with OLED Display and LIDAR
This circuit features an Mtiny Uno ATmega328P microcontroller as its central processing unit, interfacing with a variety of sensors and peripherals. It includes a 0.96" OLED display and an MPU6050 accelerometer/gyroscope for user interface and motion sensing, respectively. The circuit also integrates a TF LUNA LIDAR for distance measurement, a DHT11 sensor for temperature and humidity readings, and uses a 9V battery with a 7805 voltage regulator for power management. Communication with a computer for programming and data exchange is facilitated by an Adafruit FTDI Friend module.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerExplore Projects Built with Adafruit Perma Pi - Small
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.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerBattery-Powered Raspberry Pi Zero with OLED Display and EmStat Pico for Portable Data Acquisition
This circuit is a portable system powered by a 3.7V LiPo battery, which is boosted to 5V using an Adafruit PowerBoost 1000C to power a Raspberry Pi Zero and an EmStat Pico. The Raspberry Pi Zero interfaces with an OLED display via I2C and a tactile switch for user input, while the EmStat Pico communicates with the Raspberry Pi over UART for data acquisition or control purposes.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerRaspberry 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.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerATmega328P-Based Sensor Hub with OLED Display and LIDAR
This circuit features an Mtiny Uno ATmega328P microcontroller as its central processing unit, interfacing with a variety of sensors and peripherals. It includes a 0.96" OLED display and an MPU6050 accelerometer/gyroscope for user interface and motion sensing, respectively. The circuit also integrates a TF LUNA LIDAR for distance measurement, a DHT11 sensor for temperature and humidity readings, and uses a 9V battery with a 7805 voltage regulator for power management. Communication with a computer for programming and data exchange is facilitated by an Adafruit FTDI Friend module.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerCommon Applications and Use Cases
- Prototyping Raspberry Pi projects
- Creating permanent circuit installations
- Educational purposes for learning electronics and computer interfacing
- IoT (Internet of Things) device development
- Robotics and automation projects
Technical Specifications
The Adafruit Perma Pi - Small is not an electronic component with active functionality, but rather a passive prototyping board. Therefore, it does not have electrical specifications like voltage or current ratings. Instead, its specifications pertain to its physical attributes and compatibility with Raspberry Pi GPIO pins.
Key Features
- Compatibility with Raspberry Pi GPIO pins
- Small form factor for compact installations
- Holes for easy mounting
- Durable construction for long-term projects
Pin Configuration and Descriptions
The Adafruit Perma Pi - Small does not have a pin configuration in the traditional sense, as it is a prototyping board. However, it is designed to align with the GPIO pinout of a Raspberry Pi. Below is a table that outlines the general layout:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| GPIO Passthrough | Holes aligned with Raspberry Pi GPIO for headers |
| Mounting Holes | Pre-drilled holes for mounting the board |
| Solder Pads | Pads for soldering components |
Usage Instructions
How to Use the Component in a Circuit
- Plan Your Circuit: Before soldering, plan out your circuit. Use a breadboard to prototype if necessary.
- Attach to Raspberry Pi: Align the Adafruit Perma Pi - Small with the Raspberry Pi GPIO pins and, if desired, solder a GPIO header to the board.
- Solder Components: Solder your electronic components onto the Perma Pi board according to your circuit design.
- Connect to Raspberry Pi: Once your components are soldered and your circuit is complete, connect the Perma Pi board to the Raspberry Pi GPIO header.
Important Considerations and Best Practices
- Avoid Overheating: When soldering, be careful not to overheat the board or components.
- Check Connections: Ensure all soldered connections are secure and free from shorts.
- GPIO Compatibility: Double-check the GPIO pinout and ensure compatibility with your Raspberry Pi model.
- Static Discharge: Use proper ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) precautions when handling the board and components.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Common Issues
- Loose Connections: If your circuit is not functioning as expected, check for loose or cold solder joints.
- Short Circuits: Inspect the board for accidental solder bridges between pads that may cause shorts.
- Misaligned Headers: Ensure that the GPIO headers are properly aligned and soldered to the correct pins.
Solutions and Tips for Troubleshooting
- Reflow Solder Joints: If a connection is loose, reheat the solder joint and add a small amount of fresh solder if necessary.
- Use Flux: Applying flux can help prevent solder bridges and cold joints.
- Visual Inspection: Use a magnifying glass to inspect your solder work for any potential issues.
FAQs
Q: Can I use the Adafruit Perma Pi - Small with any model of Raspberry Pi? A: The Perma Pi - Small is designed to be compatible with the GPIO layout of most Raspberry Pi models. However, always check the pinout for your specific model.
Q: Do I need to use a GPIO header with the Perma Pi - Small? A: While it's not mandatory, using a GPIO header can provide a more stable and reusable connection to the Raspberry Pi.
Q: Is it possible to remove components once they are soldered onto the Perma Pi - Small? A: Yes, but desoldering requires care and the right tools to avoid damaging the board or components.
Q: Can I stack multiple Perma Pi - Small boards? A: Stacking is not the intended use for this board, and doing so may require custom solutions for connectivity and spacing.
For further assistance or questions, please refer to the Adafruit support forums or contact Adafruit customer service.