Sequent Microsystems’ “Eight 24-bit ADC 8-layer Stackable HAT” is a Raspberry Pi expansion board designed for home automation projects. It is compatible with all Raspberry Pi models with a 40-pin GPIO header and features a stackable design that provides scalability for more complex setups.
It includes eight independent 24-bit ADC channels, providing ultra-high resolution for measuring small analog signals accurately. It also features programmable gain amplifiers on each input channel for amplifying weak signals and optimizing the ADC’s input range. It is stackable up to eight layers, allowing for up to 64 differential analog inputs.
It provides 4A continuous and 5A peak power to the Raspberry Pi via the GPIO header. It sends data via the I2C lines, leaving all other pins free for use. Also, it supports isolated RS485 communication for long-distance connectivity.
The 8-layer Stackable HAT for Raspberry Pi is suitable for precision data acquisition applications, including industrial automation, environmental monitoring, laboratory instrumentation, smart agriculture, home automation, as well as audio analysis and signal processing.
The MCC 118 and MCC 128 DAQ HATs for Raspberry Pi are notable alternatives, with the MCC 118 offering eight single-ended 12-bit analog inputs and the MCC 128 providing higher resolution with 16-bit analog inputs.
Eight 24-bit ADC 8-layer Stackable HAT specifications:
- MCU – STMicro STM32G431CBT6 Arm Cortex-M4 @ 170MHz with 128KB of flash memory
- Communication – RS485/MODBUS
- Expansion – 40-pin Raspberry Pi GPIO female header
- Analog Input
- 8x 24-bit analog input channels
- 2x Texas Instruments ADS131 24-bit delta-sigma ADCs
- Input Impedance: 300 kΩ to 1 MΩ
- Up to 64 kSPS data rates
- Software-selectable Clock and Trigger
- Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) for each channel
- TVS diodes on all inputs for external ESD protection
- Misc
- 8x status LEDs with programmable threshold
- Real-time Clock (RTC) with battery backup
- Hardware watchdog
- Six-position DIP switch
- TX/RX jumper (selects RS485 connection to the Raspberry Pi or the processor), general-purpose push button
- Up to eight HATs stackable
- Power Supply
- Input Voltage: 5V or 10V-24V DC via 2-pin screw terminal
- Onboard DC-DC converter generates 5.2V, further regulated to 5V and 3.3V
- Output Voltage: 5V DC and 3.3V DC
- On-board resettable fuse for protection from accidental shorts
- Dimensions – N/A
Regarding software, the board supports various open-source software and libraries for seamless integration and setup. Sequent Microsystems provides a Python library for reading data from the ADC channels, configuring gain settings, and managing multiple stacked HATs. The HAT is also compatible with MODBUS software and integrates with IoT platforms such as Node-RED and Home Assistant. The command line driver is available on GitHub and hardware files are downloadable from the Sequent Microsystems website.
The crowdfunding campaign for the HAT is live on Kickstarter. The board is priced at approximately $130 per unit, with discounts for buying multiple units. Shipping is free and expected to commence by April 2025.
Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.
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