The K8-Max is a cape for the PocketBeagle 2 that is designed to drive ws281x LED pixels. It has 8 local ports that can each drive 800 pixels (with power injection) at 40FPS. It also has 4 RJ45 differential ports that can output an additional 16 strings via differential receivers. Finally, it has one RS485 output for DMX, PixelNet, Renard, LOR.
The K8-Max has a Real Time Clock (RTC) to maintain time, a temperature sensor, input voltage sensors, an OLED display with navigation push buttons, three powered USB ports, onboard sound, socket for FM transmitter, and a Gigabit Ethernet port (wired via USB2 so roughly 300Mb/s speed).
The cape provides:
- 8 pixel connectors in banks for four.
- Each bank of four can use any voltage from 5V – 24V
- Each string is protected by an eFuse that provides current monitoring, eFuse protection, and instant alerts
- Each string can provide up to 6A of power
- 4 RJ45 connections for 16 more strings via differential receivers
- 1 RJ45 connection for DMX/LOR
- On-board pcm5102 DAC and headphone jack for sound
- Header to attach FM transmitter
- 3 USB-A connector for WIFI adapters or other USB devices
- Gigabit Ethernet Connector
- Expansion header pins providing 8 gpio outputs and access to I2C bus, 3.3v power, and ground
- Temperature sensor.
- Real Time Clock
- 5v 4-Pin PWM Cooling Fan Connector
- 8 GPIO pins exposed to the user to allow adding additional buttons, proximity sensors, etc.… to invoke various effects and functionality.
