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K32

32 fused pixel ports, 4 differential ports and DMX.

K32

K32, shown without a PocketBeagle 2. Photos may show an earlier board revision.

This page describes revision v4.1.0 (printed on the board as K32 v4.1.0).

Specifications

K32
Local pixel ports 32 (P1–P32), 3-pin 3.5 mm pluggable, plugs included
Port protection 5 A mini-blade fuse per port
Power switching —
Current monitoring —
Differential ports 4 × RJ45 = 16 strings (33–48), send-only
Total strings 48
Power inputs 8 terminals rated 30 A, 5–24 V DC, one bank of 4 ports each
DMX / serial 1 (DMX), RS-485 transmit
Audio none (use a USB sound card)
Ethernet 1 × Gigabit (USB-attached)
USB-A 1 (via the included extension cable)
Display & buttons 128×64 OLED, Up / Down / Enter / Back / Test
Real-time clock yes, CR1220 backup cell
Fan header —
Expansion header —
Size 168.6 × 202.8 mm (6.64 × 7.98 in), 11 mounting holes, 3.0 mm
Requires PocketBeagle 2 (not PocketBeagle 1), FPP 9.0 or later

Board map

K32 from above

Power terminals

The four terminals down the left edge feed the left half of the board, and the four down the right edge feed the right half. FPP's VIN numbers don't follow reading order:

Terminal Position Feeds FPP reading Also powers the controller?
V1 left, row 1 (top) P1–P4 VIN1 yes
V2 left, row 2 P5–P8 VIN2 no
V5 left, row 3 P9–P12 VIN5 no
V6 left, row 4 P13–P16 VIN6 no
V3 right, row 1 (top) P17–P20 VIN3 no
V4 right, row 2 P21–P24 VIN4 no
V7 right, row 3 P25–P28 VIN7 no
V8 right, row 4 P29–P32 VIN8 no

The blue LED beside V1 lights when it has power. V1 must be powered for the controller to boot.

See Power for supply sizing, wire size and safety.

Pixel ports

The 32 pixel ports are in four rows of eight, four ports on each side:

Left half Right half
Row 1 P1–P4 P17–P20
Row 2 P5–P8 P21–P24
Row 3 P9–P12 P25–P28
Row 4 P13–P16 P29–P32

Each port is G D V (ground, data, +V), as printed beside it. See Pixel outputs.

Fuses

Every local port has a 5 A mini-blade fuse next to it. If a port's green LED is dark while the rest of its bank is lit, check that port's fuse first. Never fit a fuse larger than 5 A. See Power → Fuses.

Differential ports

33-36 · 37-40 · 41-44 · 45-48

Each jack carries four strings, numbered as printed above it. They are send-only. Any standard receiver works, but receivers cannot report back. See Differential ports.

Other connectors

Connector Marking Details
Ethernet (RJ45 with LEDs) Network
DMX DMX DMX / serial
USB-A — 1 port (use the included USB extension cable), USB
OLED GND 3.3V SCL SDA Controls & display
RTC battery coin-cell holder Clock

FPP setup

When FPP detects the K32 it sets itself up automatically. It enables the K32 pixel-string layout, the sensors (input voltages, temperature) and a disabled DMX output. Out of the box each local port is set to 50 WS2811 pixels at 50 % brightness. Set the real counts and start channels from xLights or the FPP Pixel Strings page. See Configuring outputs.

Dimensions & mounting

  • 168.55 × 202.75 mm (6.64 × 7.98 in), 11 plated mounting holes, 3.0 mm, for M2.5 (or #4) screws and standoffs.
  • The mounting holes are connected to ground.
  • Use nylon or metal standoffs at least 6 mm (¼ in) tall, so nothing on the underside touches the enclosure.
  • Mounting drawing: PDF · SVG. It is shared by the K32, K32-Pro and K32-Max, which have the same outline and holes.
  • A 3D-printable mount is on Thingiverse.