The ATXRaspi, manufactured by LowPowerLab (Part ID: LP5-100030), is a power management board specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi. It provides essential features such as safe shutdown, power-on reset, and GPIO-based power control. By integrating the ATXRaspi into your Raspberry Pi setup, you can protect your device from sudden power loss, ensuring a clean shutdown and preventing potential data corruption or hardware damage.

• Home Automation Systems: Ensures reliable power management for Raspberry Pi-based controllers.
• IoT Projects: Protects Raspberry Pi devices in remote or critical applications.
• Media Centers: Provides safe shutdown functionality for Raspberry Pi-based media servers.
• Educational Projects: Simplifies power management for students and hobbyists working with Raspberry Pi.

The ATXRaspi has a simple pinout for connecting to the Raspberry Pi and external components. Below is the pin configuration:

1. Connect Power Input: Attach a 5V DC power source to the VIN and GND pins of the ATXRaspi.
2. Connect to Raspberry Pi:
   • Connect the OUT pin to the 5V power input pin of the Raspberry Pi.
   • Connect the GND pin to the Raspberry Pi's ground pin.
   • Connect the GPIO_SHUTDOWN pin to a GPIO pin on the Raspberry Pi (e.g., GPIO17).
   • Optionally, connect the GPIO_POWER pin to another GPIO pin for monitoring the power state.
3. Attach a Push Button: Connect a momentary push button to the BUTTON pin and ground. This button will allow manual power control.
4. Enable Safe Shutdown:
   • Install the necessary script on the Raspberry Pi to monitor the GPIO_SHUTDOWN pin and initiate a safe shutdown when triggered.
5. Power On/Off:
   • Press the push button to power on the Raspberry Pi.
   • To power off, press and hold the button for 3 seconds. The ATXRaspi will signal the Raspberry Pi to shut down safely before cutting power.

• Ensure the power source provides a stable 5V DC output with sufficient current (at least 2.5A for most Raspberry Pi models).
• Use a properly rated push button to avoid mechanical failure over time.
• Install the safe shutdown script on the Raspberry Pi to prevent data corruption during power-off events.
• Avoid connecting high-current devices directly to the ATXRaspi's output to prevent overloading.

Below is an example Python script to monitor the GPIO_SHUTDOWN pin and initiate a safe shutdown:

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import os
import time

SHUTDOWN_PIN = 17 # GPIO pin connected to ATXRaspi's GPIO_SHUTDOWN

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) GPIO.setup(SHUTDOWN_PIN, GPIO.IN, pull_up_down=GPIO.PUD_UP)

def shutdown_callback(channel): # Callback function to safely shut down the Raspberry Pi print("Shutdown signal received. Shutting down...") os.system("sudo shutdown -h now")

GPIO.add_event_detect(SHUTDOWN_PIN, GPIO.FALLING, callback=shutdown_callback, bouncetime=200)

print("Monitoring shutdown pin. Press Ctrl+C to exit.") try: while True: time.sleep(1) # Keep the script running except KeyboardInterrupt: print("Exiting script.") finally: GPIO.cleanup() # Clean up GPIO settings

1. Save the script as safe_shutdown.py on your Raspberry Pi.
2. Add the script to your system's startup process using crontab or a systemd service to ensure it runs automatically.

1. Can I use the ATXRaspi with other single-board computers?

   • Yes, the ATXRaspi can be used with other devices that support GPIO-based power control, but additional configuration may be required.

2. What happens if the power source is disconnected suddenly?

   • The ATXRaspi cannot prevent sudden power loss if the input power is disconnected. It is designed to manage power control and safe shutdown when used with a stable power source.

3. Can I use the ATXRaspi with a battery?

   • Yes, as long as the battery provides a stable 5V DC output and sufficient current.

By following this documentation, you can effectively integrate the ATXRaspi into your Raspberry Pi projects, ensuring reliable power management and safe operation.