The BeagleBoard organization recently announced the availability of over 20 new plug-in boards for its ARM-powered computer platform – which runs both Google Android 4.0 and Linux Ubuntu.
Essentially, the plug-in boards, or “capes” are designed to extend the already formidable (developer) BeagleBoard ecosystem with additional hardware, such as robot motor drivers and sensors that measure location and pressure.
“Adding cape plug-in boards to the expandable BeagleBone computer allows hobbyists and devs to augment BeagleBone’s capabilities with LCD screens, motor control and battery power as well as the ability to create their own circuits,” a BeagleBoard rep explained.
“The cape plug-in boards can be plugged into BeagleBone’s two 46-pin dual-row expansion headers, providing similar headers so that up to four cape plug-in boards can be stacked at a time.”
According to the rep, the BeagleBone LCD7 Cape is one of the most popular cape plug-in boards, as it delivers touch screen capability and features a 7-inch TFT LCD screen with 4-wire resistive touch, as well as five user buttons.
The latest plug-in board, dubbed the QuickLogic CSSP camera interface (CAM I/F), prevents cameras from hogging up scarce USB ports, helping to reduce overall system power consumption.
Additional capes include LCD touch components, weather modules, DVI-D interface and a troubleshooting breakout kit. A full list of plug-in capes can be accessed here.
