Peripheral modules and shields for Arduino ecosystem to rapidly add extra functionality to prototype designs

RS Components has extended its portfolio of versatile development tools and equipment with a new range of Pmods (peripheral modules) and shields from Digilent. These devices enable makers and engineers to build the bridge from systems to the physical world for use in a range of applications. These include single-board-computer designs and IoT projects that require additional capabilities, such as wireless communications including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; MEMS devices such as three-axis gyroscopes, accelerometers and microphones; or motor control. Compatible with the Arduino R3 footprint, the chipKIT Pmod shield enables users to connect to more than 80 Pmods, augmenting the capabilities of system boards and thereby extending the functionality of designs and the range of possible applications. The shield has five 2x6 Digilent Pmod connectors, one 2×4 I²C connector and optional pull-up resistors for the I²C bus. A key product in the range is the Pmod IOXP I²C port expander and adapter board for the Arduino Uno development kit. The Pmod IOXP is an I/O expansion module that provides up to 19 additional GPIO pins from a serial I²C bus connection, as well as a keypad matrix decoder.