Pololu Programmable Module A-star 32U4 LV with Raspberry Pi Bridge

Overview

The A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller LV with Raspberry Pi Bridge is a programmable module well-suited for robotics applications, designed to work either as an auxiliary controller mounted to a Raspberry Pi or as a standalone control solution for a small robot. This A-Star (abbreviated A*) is based on the ATmega32U4 AVR microcontroller from Microchip (formerly Atmel), which has built-in USB functionality, and it ships with a preloaded Arduino-compatible bootloader. Its complement of peripheral hardware includes dual motor drivers capable of delivering a continuous 1.8 A per channel, along with pushbuttons, LEDs, and an optional buzzer for building a user interface. An efficient switching voltage regulator allows the controller to work over a wide range of input voltages (2.7 V to 11 V).

The robot controller board conforms to the Raspberry Pi HAT specification, allowing it to be used as an add-on for a Raspberry Pi with a 40-pin GPIO header (Model B+ or newer, including Pi 3 Model B and Model A+) . On-board level shifters make it easy to set up I²C communication and interface other signals between the two controllers, and the A-Star automatically supplies 5 V power to an attached Raspberry Pi. In this setup, the Raspberry Pi can handle the high-level robot control while relying on the A-Star for low-level tasks like reading analog sensors and controlling timing-sensitive devices (e.g. servos).

A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller LV with Raspberry Pi Bridge, bottom view with dimensions.

We provide a library that helps establish communication between the A-Star and a Raspberry Pi.

Our comprehensive user’s guide provides the basics you need to get started with the A-Star as well as detailed technical information for advanced users.

This product requires a USB A to Micro-B cable (not included) to connect to a computer.

Driving motors with an A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller LV with Raspberry Pi Bridge on a Raspberry Pi Model B+ or Pi 2 Model B.

Features

• Dimensions: 65 mm x 56 mm (2.6" x 2.2")

• Programmable ATmega32U4 MCU with 32 KB flash, 2.5 KB SRAM, 1 KB EEPROM, and native full-speed USB (clocked by precision 16 MHz crystal oscillator)

• Preloaded with Arduino-compatible bootloader (no external programmer required)

• All 26 general-purpose I/O lines from the ATmega32U4 are broken out (including PB0, PD5, and PE2); 7 of these can be used as hardware PWM outputs and 12 of these can be used as analog inputs (some I/O lines are used by on-board hardware)

• Convenient 0.1"-spaced power, ground, and signal connection points

• Dual bidirectional DRV8838 motor drivers (1.8 A per channel)

• Buzzer option for simple sounds and music

• 3 user-controllable LEDs

• 3 user pushbuttons

• Reset button

• Level shifters for interfacing 5 V logic to 3.3 V Raspberry Pi

• Power features:

○ 5 V power can be sourced from USB or from a 2.7 V to 11 V external supply through on-board regulator (with several access points for connecting external power)

○ Switching 5 V regulator enables efficient operation

○ Power switch for external power inputs

○ Reverse-voltage protection on external power inputs

○ Power selection circuit allows for seamless switching between power sources while providing overcurrent protection, and feedback about which power source is selected

○ Provides 5 V power to Raspberry Pi

• 6-pin ISP header for use with an external programmer

• Comprehensive user’s guide

Specifications

Dimensions

General specifications

Notes:

1 Without included mounting hardware.
2 Note that 4 KB of the MCU's 32 KB of flash memory is used by the pre-installed USB bootloader. All 32 KB is available when programming via the ISP header rather than the bootloader.
3 Some I/O lines are used by on-board hardware.
4 Available current depends on input voltage, current consumed by the board, ambient conditions, and regulator topology. See product documentation and performance graphs for details.

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