CPI Series HAT Size Card with Raspberry Pi® Support for Ease of Use in FA and Measurement Control Applications

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Contec Co., Ltd. (listed on the Second Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Securities Code: 6639) has developed new HAT size cards (7 models) for utilizing Raspberry Pi® computers in factory automation and measurement control applications. These cards will be introduced as the CPI Series on April 26, 2021.

CPI

Developed to promote computer science studies, Raspberry Pi computers have become incredibly popular since their introduction in 2012. The devices have grown to become a major computer platform with more than 37 million*1 cards being shipped across the globe. The Raspberry Pi is widely used in the industrial and academic fields. According to the Raspberry Pi Foundation, as of June 2018, 60%*2 of monthly device production volume has been for industrial applications.

The 40-pin GPIO pin header connector of a Raspberry Pi computer can be used for adding functionality through stacked connections to HAT (Hardware Attached on Top) expansion cards. In the past, dedicated HATs were designed for specific projects such as education or experimentation. The HAT specification allows only single-card stacking, however, making applications in measurement control fields difficult due to the different I/O points of each system and the wide variety of signals being handled.

Contec’s new HAT size cards solve this problem by expanding the HAT specifications with multi-stage connectivity for general-purpose usability. The simultaneously developed general-purpose RAS function expansion card that adds industrial computer availability and maintainability to the Raspberry Pi also introduces new application scenarios for Raspberry Pi devices.

Under the motto of “Bringing the ease of PCs to FA,” Contec has been both a pioneer and industry leader in PC-based measurement control systems since the introduction of the first personal computers. Contec is reaffirming this dedication with the new CPI Series of Raspberry Pi HAT size cards. The lineup is expected to be further expanded in summer 2021 with analog input, analog output, temperature sensor input, and counter functionality.

  • *1
    Taken from the Raspberry Pi Foundation official blog post on January 21, 2021.
  • *2
    Taken from an EE Times Japan interview article dated July 11, 2018.

Product Lineup

Model Function Specifications
CPI-RAS Support for a wide range of power supply inputs (8 to 28 VDC), 5 VDC internal power supply
5 VDC external power supply output (with ON/OFF control), RTC (real-time clock)
WDT (watchdog timer), Hardware monitor (CPU temperature / power supply voltage)
LED lighting control (green/red), General digital I/O
CPI-DIO-0808L Isolated digital inputs 8ch and isolated digital outputs 8ch
CPI-DIO-0808RL Isolated digital inputs 8ch (negative-common) and isolated digital outputs 8ch (negative-common)
CPI-DI-16L Isolated digital inputs 16ch
CPI-DO-16L Isolated digital outputs 16ch
CPI-DO-16RL Isolated digital outputs 16ch (negative-common)
CPI-RRY-16 Semiconductor relay outputs 16ch

Main Features

  • Push-type terminal block for easy wiring

    The CPI Series includes a push-type terminal block for convenient, simple connection and disconnection of wired HATs without the need for tools or crimping terminals.

  • Stacked connection of up to 8 cards

    Contec has expanded HAT specifications to include address ID configurability, making it possible to connect up to eight stacked cards.

    • *
      Connection to HATs from other manufacturers is also possible.
    • *
      Use a Contec RAS function expansion card for stable power supply with stacked connections.
  • Free downloadable Python-compatible API and sample programs

    Linux driver (API-TOOL for Linux) can be downloaded for free from the company’s website along with sample Python and GCC programs, allowing users to begin programming right away.

  • API compatible with PC expansion cards

    Take advantage of API compatibility with Contec PCI Express, PCI, USB, and Ethernet-type measurement control devices. Development assets can be reused across multiple platforms.

  • RAS function expansion card for even greater Raspberry Pi functionality

    The included 8 to 28 VDC power supply function makes it possible to use Raspberry Pi in a wide range of power supply environments. Enjoy the availability and maintainability of industrial computers with the proven performance of Raspberry Pi computers.

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