PocketScroller-16

The PocketScroller-16 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 16 can output data to the panels at roughly 10Mhz (equivalent to ColorLights) allowing longer chains of panels and higher refresh rates.

The PocketScroller-16 has 16 HUB75 outputs to run 16 chains of panels.   Each output has the “E” line which allows the 1:32 scan panels such as P2 and P3 panels.

The PocketScroller-16 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-16 can drive 80 standard 1:16 scan P5 panels at 12bit color. Even more panels are possible at 10bit or 8bit color.  This requires the panels to be balanced across all eight outputs.
• With direct connect GPIO pins, additional Panel protocols can be supported over time.   With FPP 10.0, the PocketScroller-16 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 10, 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:

• 16 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-16 will NOT work with a PocketBeagle 1
• A good quality SD card with the latest FPP image installed on it. The PocketScroller-16 requires at least FPP 10.0 to be fully functional. FPP10 is currently in testing. The latest FPP images can always be found at https://github.com/FalconChristmas/fpp/releases/
• 5V power supply
• Panels

Mounting Details:

• https://kulplights.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PS-16.pdf