Industrial I/O module based on Raspberry Pi MCU protects automation
Equipped with an earthquake sensor which can disconnect electrical loads or perform other safety-related automation tasks when an earthquake occurs, the RP D16 is the latest addition Sfera Labs’ Iono family.
The module is based on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller and combines a variety of digital and analogue input and output lines with on-board memory and industry-standard interfaces. The dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor, is clocked up to 133MHz and with 264kbyte of SRAM
It is designed for industrial digital I/O applications and in addition to the RP2040 MCU offers 16 digital 24V I/O lines, an RS-485 serial interface and a wide power supply input range of 12V to 24V. It is supplied in a compact DIN rail case to support quick and easy installation in electrical cabinets and space-constrained automation control systems.
The module’s I/O front end is based on two dedicated chips, the MAX22190, which is an IEC 61131-2 compliant industrial digital input device, and the MAX14912, which is a high-speed high-side switch/push-pull driver IC. The two Maxim (now Analog Devices) devices are combined to allow for up to 16 lines that can be used for input or output. These I/O lines are galvanically isolated from the logic side of the Iono RP D16 module and the RP2040 MCU. Protection built into the MCU, as well as the additional protection circuits designed specifically for the module ensure it is robust, offering long-term operational reliability in even the most demanding conditions, claimed Sfera Labs.
The RP2040 MCU enables complex embedded logic to be developed in software to drive the output switches at a rate of up to 200kHz in push-pull mode. Each output can deal with 640mA of load current, has open-load detection and is protected from short-circuit, over-current and reverse current. The inputs are also very well protected and implement wire break detection.
Users can access the community support of the RP2040, as well as Raspberry Pi development tools and documentation. Control software development uses MicroPython and C/C++ languages and drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB and the on-chip boot loader. The Iono RP D16’s internal 16Mbyte flash memory can accommodate highly complex application logic, while a dedicated serial EERAM chip allows persistent information to be stored without wearing out the flash memory, explained Sfera Labs.
Other features of the Iono RP D16 are four low current, digital general purpose I/O lines. The moduel can accommodate optional features including a real time clock with battery back up and a secure element chip for encryption and safe storage of digital certificates.
The module is CE, FCC, and IC-compliant and is suitable for both residential and industrial installations.
The Iono RP D16 modules as part of the Raspberry Pi RP2040 development ecosystem can be used by engineers as the basis for creating automation and control applications. Firmware libraries specifically developed for the Iono RP D16 are all open source and may be freely accessed via Github. To support OEM requirements, Sfera Labs can provide custom casing and logo printing services.
