Power Management HAT with Embedded MCU + RTC

As Makers who love to experiment with all kinds of Electronics, both digital and analog, we can’t help but love the Raspberry Pi Platform and all of the amazing things that can be done with these brilliant single board computers. However, as amazing as Raspberry Pi Boards are, they are not immune to sudden power-loss from blackouts, load shedding or other situations such as maids knocking out the power supply, and this is why we love lifesaving modules like this Power Management HAT from Waveshare.

Compared to other power-solution HATs like the Li-ion Battery HAT, the Power Management HAT from Waveshare offers more advanced functionality with an embedded MCU and Real Time Clock. This RTC chip allows the module to keep track of time and synchronise with other projects, while the ATmega328P-AU MCU allowing Makers to program precisely how they want the HAT to work – using the convenient and popular Arduino IDE application to program and debug the onboard MCU.

In addition to these advanced (and rather unique) features, the Power Management HAT also offers some really awesome functionality, which includes nice and clean power regulation for both the Battery Pack and the connected Raspberry Pi, with real-time voltage and current monitoring to ensure that the entire system is operating in good health. Furthermore, because of the embedded MCU and RTC, it can also be programmed to automatically start-up and shut-down at specified times, while also offering a safe software shutdown procedure that can be programmed to react to battery power levels or to the onboard button, which can be customised to do a wide range of different tasks or functions.

Typical Applications for the Power Management HAT with Embedded MCU + RTC:

The Power Management HAT with Embedded MCU + RTC from Waveshare is certainly one of the more advanced Expansion Modules, and can even be programmed to operate in quite a wide range of different ways, but primarily is just designed to help manage the power of Raspberry Pi Boards. However, it is more than just a UPS or battery pack, and can actually be used to define automatic startup or shutdown times, stabilise and regulate incoming power to keep the Pi safe, as well as a few other fancy functions that typical power solution HATs simply cannot provide.

These features make it perfect for projects such as:

• Pi-based offsite installations in which you can only rely on solar power during certain times of the day, with automatic startup and shutdown as the solar supply rises, diminishes or charges the connected batteries.
• Integrating safety features into your Pi-Top (Pi-based Laptop) to keep your data safe from unexpected power loss and corruption of data.
• Monitoring the power usage of various computing tasks, levels of processing intensity, as well as communications over different mediums like WiFi, Bluetooth or Serial Communications.

Of course, these are just a few examples out of the endless number of possibilities for this expansion board, and because it is designed to operate in conjunction with Raspberry Pi, the possibilities for usage are pretty much endless, and only really limited by your imagination and ingenuity.

Additional Resources:

• For more insights, information and documentation on this fantastic board, be sure to check out the official Waveshare Power Management HAT Wiki Page.

When it comes to producing unique electronics components and modules, there are very few brands that can provide the quality that Waveshare can. Based in the Futian District in Shenzhen, China, Waveshare are experts in developing electronics to a high standard of quality, which have been thoroughly tested to work seamlessly with corresponding development platforms and systems – such as the E-Ink HATs for Raspberry Pi’s.

What we love most about Waveshare is how they are dedicated to providing quality products, and have moved away from the typical “Made in China” stigma – cheap products with cheap parts and components. Instead, Waveshare understand the value of supplying quality products and building sustainable relationships with international resellers and distributors. They know that consistent quality will result in consistent business, and as such they always ensure strict quality control for each and every product that comes out of the manufacturing plant.

We are always excited to peruse through their vast catalogue of exciting new products to find unique modules, components or even entire development boards that are designed with quality in mind. Because we know that every cent that we spend with Waveshare will be well-spent, with each product that order adding real value to our own catalogue of products.