Introduction to Pi-Plates

Pi-Plates are a family of stackable and interchangeable add-on circuit boards that allow you to interact with the outside world using your Raspberry Pi. If you don’t have a Raspberry Pi yet, then steer your browser over to RaspberryPi.org and see what you’re missing!

Every Pi-Plate is designed to provide a robust set of features at minimal cost while using the fewest pins possible on the RPi header. For example, the DAQCplate only requires two dedicated pins, yet eight of these Pi-Plates can be stacked to provide 64 analog inputs, 64 digital inputs, 56 open collector outputs, and 16 analog outputs. Pi-Plates are mechanically and electrically compatible with all revisions of the Raspberry Pi with 40 pin headers (including the Pi 3 Model B and Pi Zero) and are designed to satisfy the needs of hobbyists, experimenters, and professionals. Customers who have purchased our products include the Fluke Corporation, Villanova University, Spectra Physics, North Carolina State University, Analog Devices, the University of Cincinnati, the Smithsonian Institution, Virginia Tech University, MIT, and Alphabet to name just a few.

Our product offerings include:

Our flagship DAQCplate board (pronounced DAC-SEE) that provides analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, as well as expanded digital I/O The MOTORplate motor controller board. Drive two stepper motors or 4 DC motors with a single board. Onboard software handles all drive logic as well as acceleration profiles. The RELAYplate switch board. Safely control up to seven high voltage / high current devices with a single board. Designed to meet the stringent safety requirements of UL 60950. The DAQC ² plate advanced data acquisition and control board combines eight 16-bit A/D converters with four 12-bit true D/A controllers and eight high current digital outputs. This board includes a number of free applications including a digital oscilloscope and a function generator. The TINKERplate HAT. A small power Pi-Plate with four analog inputs, two relays, and eight smart digital I/O ports. The THERMOplate twelve input temperature measurement board with eight, 16-bit type K thermocouple inputs and four, 12-bit DS18B20 inputs. The CASEplate mounting system which provides a sturdy, low cost, and secure structure for stacking your Pi-Plates. Each Pi-Plate board comes with the hardware necessary to mount to the CASEplate. The DINplate mounting system which provides a sturdy, low cost, and secure structure for stacking and mounting your Pi-Plates to a 35mm DIN rail. Each Pi-Plate board comes with the hardware necessary to mount and stack to the DINplate. The POWERplate – a multipurpose power management board with Real Time Clock, RPi cooling fan, multiple input power connectors, ON/OFF switch, and scheduler. The STARTERkit – includes a POWERplate and a CASEplate to build a solid mechanical and electrical foundation for your Pi-Plate stack.

For more details, continue reading or visit our Product page.