PocketScroller V3

The PocketScroller v3 is a cape that is designed to leverage the power of the PocketBeagle 2 to drive larger panel matrices.  By leveraging both of the 250Mhz PRU’s on the PocketBeagle 2 and all of the PRU directly connected GPIO pins, the PocketScroller v3 can output data to the panels at roughly 10Mhz (equivalent to ColorLights) allowing longer chains of panels and higher refresh rates.   Chains of 8 indoor P5 panels work perfectly.

The V3 version of the PocketScroller has 8 HUB75 outputs to run 8 chains of panels.   Each output has the “E” line which allows the 1:32 scan panels such as P2 and P3 panels.

The PocketScroller v3 also has a Real Time Clock (RTC) to maintain time, a temperature sensor, input voltage sensor, an OLED display with navigation push buttons, three powered USB ports, and a Gigabit Ethernet port (wired via USB2 so roughly 300Mb/s speed).

• Leveraging the multi-core CPU and dual PRU cores, the PocketBeagle 2 with PocketScroller v3 can drive over 64 P5 panels.
• With direct connect GPIO pins, additional Panel protocols can be supported over time.   With FPP 9.0, the PocketScroller v3 can support the “standard” modes as well as the FM6363C “PWM” based panels.   Additional PWM based panels may be added in the future.
• With FPP 9, the Gigabit connector can be used to drive a Colorlight in addition to the local panels providing more functionality.
• The three USB ports are fully “powered” ports allowing usb devices such as Soundblaster’s that consume a lot of power to work trouble free.
• There are 8 GPIO pins exposed to the user to allow adding additional buttons, proximity sensors, etc… to invoke various effects and functionality.

The cape provides:

• 8 HUB75 output connectors
• 3 USB-A connector for WIFIi 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
• Screw terminal for providing 5v power. This provides power to the PocketBeagle, the chips on the PocketScroller v3, and the USB bus.
• Temperature sensor.
• Real Time Clock

You will need:

• PocketBeagle 2 – the PocketScroller v3 will NOT work with a PocketBeagle 1
• A good quality SD card with the latest FPP image installed on it. The PocketScroller v3 requires at least FPP 9.0 to be fully functional. The latest FPP images can always be found at https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/
• 5V power supply
• Panels