NEW PRODUCT – Adafruit PiCowbell Camera Breakout – Autofocus 72 Degree Lens / Adafruit PiCowbell Camera Breakout – Autofocus 120 Degree Lens / Adafruit PiCowBell Camera Breakout – Wide Angle 160 Degree Lens / Adafruit PiCowBell Camera Breakout – Wide Angle 120 Degree Lens

NEW PRODUCT – Adafruit PiCowbell Camera Breakout – Autofocus 72 Degree Lens 

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Ding dong! Hear that? It’s the PiCowbell ringing, letting you know that the new Adafruit PiCowbell OV5640 Camera Breakout with 72-Degree Lens and Autofocus is in stock.

This is a quality OV5640 camera with a 5 Megapixel sensor element, a 72-degree non-distorting lens, and autofocus motor, plus all the support circuitry you need to start taking pictures with your Pico or Pico W. You can grab raw RGB images for image analysis, or use the built in JPEG encoding to save images to an SD card or upload them to adafruit.io.

The RP2040 chip has a fast PIO interface peripheral and enough memory to interface with ‘DVP’ (8-bit parallel digital) cameras. These camera sensors have 8 image data pins, Pixel Clock, H Sync and V Sync signals, plus I2C configuration interface and a Reset plus power Down pin. That does mean a lot of GPIO are used! But we still have 6 GPIO pin available even after adding an SD cart and shutter button.

 

Camera PiCowbell Features:

 

– Interface for OV5640 Camera module

VSync: GPIO 0

Power Down: GPIO 1

HSync: GPIO 2

Pixel Clock: GPIO 3

SDA/SCL: GPIO 4 and GPIO 5

8-bit Digital: GPIO6 through GPIO 13

Reset: GPIO 14

VMotor connected to 3.3V for auto-focus modules

– Micro SD Card

SPI on GPIO 16, GPIO 18 and GPIO 19

Chip select on GPIO 17

Optional SD Detect on GPIO 15

– Shutter button on GPIO 22

– Reset button

– 16 MHz ‘XClock’ generated by onboard oscillator

– Stemma QT port for I2C on GPIO 4 / 5

Note that to use the auto-focusing capability, you need to load a new firmware binary over I2C. The autofocus system is controlled with I2C commands to begin an auto-focus procedure and determine that focus is complete. Otherwise, the camera looks just like any other OV5640 sensor.

Each order comes with an assembled PCB, camera sensor, and two pieces of 20-pin pin header. You will need to solder in the header yourself, but it’s a quick task.

Since this board has the camera pointing ‘up’, it’s best to use our PiCowbell ‘doubler’ to have the Pico on one side with the BOOT button accessible, and then the camera on the other side. Or you can ‘stack’ the camera ‘bell on top, best when you don’t need easy access to the BOOT loading button.

Or, for a compact package, you can…

Use the Pico Stacking Headers if you want to be able to plug into a breadboard or other accessory with sockets. Solder these onto the Pico so that the camera is on top.

Use the Pico Socket Headers if you want to plug directly in and have a nice solid connection that doesn’t have any poking-out-bits. Ditto, solder these into the Pico and plug the camera on top.

 

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NEW PRODUCT – Adafruit PiCowbell Camera Breakout – Autofocus 120 Degree Lens

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ding dong! Hear that? It’s the PiCowbell ringing, letting you know that the new Adafruit PiCowbell OV5640 Camera Breakout with 120-Degree Lens and Autofocus is in stock.

This is a quality OV5640 camera with a 5 Megapixel sensor element, a 120-degree slightly-distorting wide angle lens, and autofocus motor, plus all the support circuitry you need to start taking pictures with your Pico or Pico W. You can grab raw RGB images for image analysis, or use the built in JPEG encoding to save images to an SD card or upload them to adafruit.io.

The RP2040 chip has a fast PIO interface peripheral and enough memory to interface with ‘DVP’ (8-bit parallel digital) cameras. These camera sensors have 8 image data pins, Pixel Clock, H Sync and V Sync signals, plus I2C configuration interface and a Reset plus power Down pin. That does mean a lot of GPIO are used! But we still have 6 GPIO pin available even after adding an SD cart and shutter button.

Camera PiCowbell Features:

 

– Interface for OV5640 Camera module

VSync: GPIO 0

Power Down: GPIO 1

HSync: GPIO 2

Pixel Clock: GPIO 3

SDA/SCL: GPIO 4 and GPIO 5

8-bit Digital: GPIO6 through GPIO 13

Reset: GPIO 14

VMotor connected to 3.3V for auto-focus modules

– Micro SD Card

SPI on GPIO 16, GPIO 18 and GPIO 19

Chip select on GPIO 17

Optional SD Detect on GPIO 15

– Shutter button on GPIO 22

– Reset button

– 16 MHz ‘XClock’ generated by onboard oscillator

– Stemma QT port for I2C on GPIO 4 / 5

 

Note that to use the auto-focusing capability, you need to load a new firmware binary over I2C. The autofocus system is controlled with I2C commands to begin an auto-focus procedure and determine that focus is complete. Otherwise, the camera looks just like any other OV5640 sensor.

Each order comes with an assembled PCB, camera sensor, and two pieces of 20-pin pin header. You will need to solder in the header yourself, but it’s a quick task.

Since this board has the camera pointing ‘up’, it’s best to use our PiCowbell ‘doubler’ to have the Pico on one side with the BOOT button accessible, and then the camera on the other side. Or you can ‘stack’ the camera ‘bell on top, best when you don’t need easy access to the BOOT loading button.

Or, for a compact package, you can…

Use the Pico Stacking Headers if you want to be able to plug into a breadboard or other accessory with sockets. Solder these onto the Pico so that the camera is on top.

Use the Pico Socket Headers if you want to plug directly in and have a nice solid connection that doesn’t have any poking-out-bits. Ditto, solder these into the Pico and plug the camera on top.

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NEW PRODUCT – Adafruit PiCowBell Camera Breakout – Wide Angle 160 Degree Lens

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ding dong! Hear that? It’s the PiCowbell ringing, letting you know that the new Adafruit PiCowbell OV5640 Camera Breakout with 160-Degree Wide-Angle Lens is in stock.

This is a quality OV5640 camera with a 5 Megapixel sensor element, a 160-degree wide angle lens, plus all the support circuitry you need to start taking pictures with your Pico or Pico W. You can grab raw RGB images for image analysis, or use the built in JPEG encoding to save images to an SD card or upload them to adafruit.io.

The RP2040 chip has a fast PIO interface peripheral and enough memory to interface with ‘DVP’ (8-bit parallel digital) cameras. These camera sensors have 8 image data pins, Pixel Clock, H Sync and V Sync signals, plus I2C configuration interface and a Reset plus power Down pin. That does mean a lot of GPIO are used! But we still have 6 GPIO pin available even after adding an SD cart and shutter button

Camera PiCowbell Features:

 

– Interface for OV5640 Camera module

VSync: GPIO 0

Power Down: GPIO 1

HSync: GPIO 2

Pixel Clock: GPIO 3

SDA/SCL: GPIO 4 and GPIO 5

8-bit Digital: GPIO6 through GPIO 13

Reset: GPIO 14

VMotor connected to 3.3V for auto-focus modules

– Micro SD Card

SPI on GPIO 16, GPIO 18 and GPIO 19

Chip select on GPIO 17

Optional SD Detect on GPIO 15

– Shutter button on GPIO 22

– Reset button

– 16 MHz ‘XClock’ generated by onboard oscillator

– Stemma QT port for I2C on GPIO 4 / 5

This module does not have auto-focus capability, it is a fixed ‘infinite’ focus module.

Each order comes with an assembled PCB, camera sensor, and two pieces of 20-pin pin header. You will need to solder in the header yourself, but it’s a quick task.

Since this board has the camera pointing ‘up’, it’s best to use our PiCowbell ‘doubler’ to have the Pico on one side with the BOOT button accessible, and then the camera on the other side. Or you can ‘stack’ the camera ‘bell on top, best when you don’t need easy access to the BOOT loading button.

Or, for a compact package, you can…

Use the Pico Stacking Headers if you want to be able to plug into a breadboard or other accessory with sockets. Solder these onto the Pico so that the camera is on top.

Use the Pico Socket Headers if you want to plug directly in and have a nice solid connection that doesn’t have any poking-out-bits. Ditto, solder these into the Pico and plug the camera on top.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

 

NEW PRODUCT – Adafruit PiCowBell Camera Breakout – Wide Angle 120 Degree Lens

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ding dong! Hear that? It’s the PiCowbell ringing, letting you know that the new Adafruit PiCowbell OV5640 Camera Breakout with 120-Degree Wide-Angle Lens is in stock.

This is a quality OV5640 camera with a 5 Megapixel sensor element, a 120-degree wide-angle lens, plus all the support circuitry you need to start taking pictures with your Pico or Pico W. You can grab raw RGB images for image analysis, or use the built-in JPEG encoding to save images to an SD card or upload them to adafruit.io.

The RP2040 chip has a fast PIO interface peripheral and enough memory to interface with ‘DVP’ (8-bit parallel digital) cameras. These camera sensors have 8 image data pins, Pixel Clock, H Sync and V Sync signals, plus I2C configuration interface and a Reset plus power Down pin. That does mean a lot of GPIO are used! But we still have 6 GPIO pin available even after adding an SD cart and shutter button.

Camera PiCowbell Features:

 

– Interface for OV5640 Camera module

VSync: GPIO 0

Power Down: GPIO 1

HSync: GPIO 2

Pixel Clock: GPIO 3

SDA/SCL: GPIO 4 and GPIO 5

8-bit Digital: GPIO6 through GPIO 13

Reset: GPIO 14

VMotor connected to 3.3V for auto-focus modules

– Micro SD Card

SPI on GPIO 16, GPIO 18 and GPIO 19

Chip select on GPIO 17

Optional SD Detect on GPIO 15

– Shutter button on GPIO 22

– Reset button

– 16 MHz ‘XClock’ generated by onboard oscillator

– Stemma QT port for I2C on GPIO 4 / 5

This module does not have auto-focus capability, it is a fixed ‘infinite’ focus module.

Each order comes with an assembled PCB, camera sensor, and two pieces of 20-pin pin header. You will need to solder in the header yourself, but it’s a quick task.

Since this board has the camera pointing ‘up’, it’s best to use our PiCowbell ‘doubler’ to have the Pico on one side with the BOOT button accessible, and then the camera on the other side. Or you can ‘stack’ the camera ‘bell on top, best when you don’t need easy access to the BOOT loading button.

Or, for a compact package, you can…

Use the Pico Stacking Headers if you want to be able to plug into a breadboard or other accessory with sockets. Solder these onto the Pico so that the camera is on top.

Use the Pico Socket Headers if you want to plug directly in and have a nice solid connection that doesn’t have any poking-out-bits. Ditto, solder these into the Pico and plug the camera on top.

In stock and shipping now!

Young Engineers Send Astro Pi Code to the International Space Station @Raspberry_Pi #PiDay #RaspberryPi

Once again, the European Astro Pi Challenge is helping young coders get their work out into space! Here’s more from the Raspberry Pi Foundation:

Young people taking part in the European Astro Pi Challenge are about to have their computer programs sent to the International Space Station (ISS). Astro Pi is run annually in collaboration by us and ESA Education, and offers two ways to get involved: Mission Zero and Mission Space Lab.

…

Mission Zero is an exciting activity for kids with little or no experience with coding. We invite young people to create a Python program that displays an 8×8 pixel image or animation. This program then gets sent to the ISS, and each pixel art piece is displayed for 30 seconds on the LED matrix display of the Astro Pi computers on the ISS.

See and learn more!

Pi Clock @Raspberry_Pi #PiDay #RaspberryPi

Super fun build from maker Mike Hirst that incorporates both Pi (raspberry) and Pi (3.14…). It features some Adafruit products well. See more details here on instructables!

I made a clock from the digits of Pi. Here’s a demo!

What is Sacred Geometry? #ArtTuesday

What is sacred geometry? While the term may sound like an oxymoron, there’s a lot to mine in the long history of art created from sacred geometry for those with a curious mind or a taste for outsider art. Sacred geometry explores metaphysical notions through geometric shapes and proportions. And UFOs! For Tuscon-based artist Daniel Martin Diaz, sacred geometry both a jumping off point and a guiding principal for his complex pieces. Here’s more from JUXTAPOZ:

Diaz’s diagrammatical compositions draw from a wide range of sources, tapping into an aesthetic we often associate with early scientific or medical publications, filled with detailed black-and-white illustrations. Charts, geometry, astronomical phenomena, architecture, and the human body are just a few of the subjects he combines into orderly, sometimes surreal visual structures.

The artist describes his work as “a quest to articulate the ineffable,” juxtaposing references to technology with the unseen forces of the universe through which everything—and everyone—is connected. Through his vivid, illustrative pieces, he ponders “the implications of technology on humanity’s future and our collective responsibility towards the world and each other.”

See more!

 

 

Young people’s Astro Pi code is sent to the International Space Station

Young people taking part in the European Astro Pi Challenge whose computer programs have passed a rigorous testing process, are about to have their programs sent to the International Space Station, Via Raspberrypi.org

This year, over 25,000 young people from across Europe and eligible ESA Member States are getting their programs ‘uplinked’ to the Astro Pi computers aboard the ISS, where they will be running over the next few weeks.

Mission Zero is an exciting activity for kids with little or no experience with coding. We invite young people to create a Python program that displays an 8×8 pixel image or animation. This program then gets sent to the ISS, and each pixel art piece is displayed for 30 seconds on the LED matrix display of the Astro Pi computers on the ISS.

A Raspberry Pi Pico digital audio SPDIF recorder

User Elehobica on GitHub has made a clever project using a Raspberry Pi Pico / Pico W.

spdif_recorder can record high resolution digital audio from S/PDIF Coaxial or TOSLINK connections (coaxial or optical) to WAV files.

16bit or 24bit (2 channel) can be recorded at sampling frequencies of 44.1 KHz, 48.0 KHz, 88.2 KHz, 96.0 KHz (, 176.4 KHz, 192 KHz).

The Pico is controlled via a simple serial interface. Time is recorded when using a Pico W.

Check out the details on GitHub.

tape-deck: a user-unfriendly cassette playing design

tape-deck by Jarek Lupinski is a rather a user-unfriendly design:

To play music, just give it a tape. tape-deck plays to end of the tape,
reverses, and plays the other side.

HOW DOES ONE PAUSE / STOP THE TAPE?
you should finish what you started.

HOW DO I MAKE IT LOUDER OR QUIETER?
listen to louder or quieter albums.

CAN I FASTFORWARD OR REWIND AT ALL?
the artists who recorded this album
want you to listen to it like this.

It looks like it uses a Raspberry Pi Pico but like the rest of the project, it’s vague.

Check it out on GitHub.