Vcc Labs has introduced the Nova, a small yet powerful open-source hardware development board built around the Raspberry Pi RP2040. Featuring a USB-C port, a bright 70 RGB LED matrix arranged in a 7x10 grid, and two 12-pin GPIO headers, the Nova is designed to be versatile and expandable. It’s perfect for projects like wearables, compact displays, interactive art installations, and simple games.
Key Features of the Nova
- Microcontroller:
Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+ running at up to 133 MHz with
264KB SRAM.
- Storage:
Equipped with 2MB QSPI flash.
- LED
Display: A matrix of 70 WS2812 RGB LEDs, each LED measuring a tiny 1x1
mm, providing vibrant color and high customizability.
- USB
Connectivity: USB Type-C port for power, data transfer, and
programming.
- Expansion
Options: Two 12-pin headers give access to 20 GPIOs, dual SPI, I2C,
UART interfaces, 4x ADC, and pins for Vin, 5V, 3.3V, and GND.
- Additional
Features: Comes with a reset button and BOOT button for easy firmware
management.
Power and Dimensions
- Power
Sources:
- 5V
through the USB-C port.
- 7V
to 18V through the Vin pin.
- Power
Usage: Consumes up to 9 watts when all LEDs are set to full
brightness.
- Size
and Weight:
- Dimensions:
30.48 x 20.32 mm (without case).
- Weight:
4.76 grams with headers, 3 grams without headers.
- Operating
Temperature: Can function in temperatures ranging from -20°C to +85°C.
Programming the Nova
The Nova is compatible with a variety of programming
environments:
- Official
Raspberry Pi SDK: Use C/C++ for low-level programming.
- MicroPython:
Perfect for quick development and scripting.
- Arduino
IDE: Utilize familiar Arduino libraries for project creation.
Code samples are available on GitHub, including five classic
games: Ball Brick, Flappy Bird, Snake, Space Invaders,
and Tetris. These games can be played by connecting five buttons to GPIO
pins 2-6. Although the hardware directory currently includes only the Bill of
Materials (BoM) and board dimensions, Vcc Labs plans to release full schematics
and design files as the Nova is an open-source project. These resources are
expected to become available once the crowdfunding campaign concludes.
Nova in Context
The Nova isn't the first RGB LED matrix development board on
the market. Other examples, like the 01Space ESP32-based 25 RGB LED matrix
boards and Waveshare's ESP32-S3-Matrix board with 64 RGB LEDs, offer
similar functionality. However, the Nova stands out with its 70-LED matrix and
its use of the RP2040 microcontroller, providing a balance of advanced features
without built-in wireless connectivity.
Crowdfunding on Kickstarter
Vcc Labs has launched the Nova on Kickstarter with a modest
funding goal of 3,000 Euros. A single Nova board starts at just 18 Euros
(around $20 USD), with discounts available for bulk pledges of up to 10 boards.
Shipping fees range widely from 3 to 48 Euros, depending on the delivery
destination. If all goes as planned, backers should receive their boards by January
2025.
Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to create a unique
wearable or an artist seeking to explore interactive lighting, the Nova offers
a flexible and compact platform to bring your ideas to life.
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