This document provides hardware overviews for each Tessel module:
- Accelerometer
- Ambient
- Audio
- Bluetooth Low Energy
- Camera
- Climate
- GPS
- GPRS
- Infrared
- MicroSD Card
- nRF24
- Relay
- RFID
- Servo
Measures acceleration in the x, y, and z directions.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-01-XX |
| Latest version | TM-01-02 |
| Key components | MMA8452Q |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 165 microamps |
| Current consumption (average) | 165 microamps |
| Communication protocol | I2C, GPIO |
- I2C address can be modified by shorting J3
- +x = towards the Tessel, +y = G3 --> GND, +z = up
Measures ambient light and sound. Sound gain adjustable via R6.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-08-XX |
| Latest version | TM-08-03 |
| Key components | PT15-21C/TR8 photodiode, SPU0410HR5H-PB microphone |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 10 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 10 mA |
| Communication protocol | SPI, GPIO |
- Light signal path includes low pass filters with fc = 1.6 Hz
- Sound signal path measures loudness via a half wave rectifier
Audio recording and playback
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-06-XX |
| Latest version | TM-06-05 |
| Key components | VS1053B-L (datasheet, product page) audio codec chip, SPU0410HR5H-PB microphone |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 60 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 40 mA |
| Communication protocol | SPI, GPIO |
- Supports both headphones (referenced to ~1.85 V) and line-out (referenced to GND) with a 32 Ohm max load
- Audio recording through an onboard microphone or line-in jack (referenced to GND)
- Both of the above are configured electronically via our API
- Line-in can be used as a 16-bit ADC (feature not exposed in current APIs)
Communicate with BLE devices
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-07-XX |
| Latest version | TM-07-04 |
| Key components | BLE113-A radio |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 23 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 18 mA |
| Communication protocol | UART, GPIO |
- A slave I2C port, an ADC, and two GPIOs are broken out from the BLE113 module's internal chip
- The BLE113 chip can be programmed (firmware upload) using TI hardware and BlueGiga's toolchain
Take pictures with your Tessel
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-12-XX |
| Latest version | TM-12-04 |
| Key components | LCF-23TN (datasheet, manual) camera module, a clone of the VC0706 video processor IC |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 90 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 90 mA |
| Communication protocol | SPI, UART, GPIO |
- Board also includes an ISP header pinout so that it could be used with cameras like the Pixy. Populating the header would require removing the existing camera.
- Much of the documentation for the chip is in Chinese. We apologize.
Measure temperature and humidity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-02-XX |
| Latest version | TM-02-02 |
| Key components | SI7005-B-GM sensor |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 565 microamps |
| Current consumption (average) | 320 microamps |
| Communication protocol | I2C, GPIO |
- There is an important errata with the Si7005 chip (documented only in this application note) which says:
The Si7005 should not be on the same bus as other I2C devices when it is active. It acknowledges data bytes that match its address. This issue has been reolved with other members of the Si70xx family
In practice, this means that the TM-12-04 Climate module should always be used on its own I2C bus. Fortunately, two I2C busses exist on Tessel: one is shared between module ports A and B, the other between C and D.
Global positioning system: position reference, movement speed & heading, time reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-09-XX |
| Latest version | TM-09-02 |
| Key components | A2235-H GPS module (user manual, product page) |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 42 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 36 mA |
| Communication protocol | UART, GPIO |
- The A2235-H is based on CSR SiRFstarIV chipset, which supports a novel GPS fix mode and a variety of low power states.
- The A2235-H supports two different data modes: NMEA and SiRF binary mode (also called OSP mode). Technical Machine's default APIs use the module in NMEA mode.
- A-GPS is supported with client generated extended ephemeris up to 3 days.
Make voice calls and send SMS from Tessel
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-14-XX |
| Latest version | TM-14-01 |
| Key components | SIM900 GPRS radio |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 2 A |
| Current consumption (average) | 150 mA |
| Communication protocol | UART, GPIO |
- This is a "double-wide" module and it can use both ports if its jumpers in the top left corner are connected. When connected, G3 is an interrupt controlled by the SIM900 which fires when a call or SMS is received. G1 and G2 are a debug UART port (115200 baud only) used to update the SIM900's firmware. SPI and I2C are unused.
- The module's power source is selectable via the jumper in top right corner: 3.3 V from Tessel or external power regulated to (3.3 + 5% trim) V. The latter is recommended if possible.
- The onboard (3.3 + 5% trim) V regulator is rated to 3 A and an absolute max of 17 V in.
- Current consumption peaks during transmission and is dependent on output signal power.
- Replacement antennas will be available in the store.
- Bring your own SIM card. (We used one from an AT&T GoPhone).
- Separate mic and headphone jacks (3.5 mm).
Communicate with and command household electronics using IR light
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-11-XX |
| Latest version | TM-11-03 |
| Key components | TSOP38238 38 kHz IR demodulator, SFH-4646-Z IR LED |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 95 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 5 mA |
| Communication protocol | UART, GPIO |
- Receiving IR takes very little power. Transmission, on the other hand, uses a good deal of power.
- Receiver frequency is fixed at 38 kHz, although pin-compatible parts which operate at other frequencies presumably exist. Check your appliance's manual and/or the internet to make sure your hardware is compatible.
Store your data locally
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-05-XX |
| Latest version | TM-05-05 |
| Key components | N/A |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 50 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 5 mA |
| Communication protocol | SPI, GPIO |
Low power wireless communication well-suited for mesh applications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-13-XX |
| Latest version | TM-13-01 |
| Key components | nRF24L01+ product page |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 12 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 12 mA |
| Communication protocol | SPI, GPIO |
- Good for mesh networking
Switch large, high voltage loads
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-04-XX |
| Latest version | TM-04-04 |
| Key components | IM02DGR (DigiKey page) |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 90 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 10 mA |
| Communication protocol | GPIO |
- Relays are normally open (load disconnected) and will open should the module/Tessel lose power
- Current draw increases when the relays close (Idraw = 10mA + 40mA * [number of relays on])
- Rated to 240 V, 5 A (but please be careful)
- Insert and remove wires by pressing down on the connectors with a ballpoint pen (or similar).
Read and write from/to 13.56 MHz RFID cards and tags
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-10-XX |
| Latest version | TM-10-03 |
| Key components | PN532 (datasheet, user manual, MiFARE tag IC/protocol docs) 13.56 MHz RFID transceiver |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 150 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 60 mA |
| Communication protocol | I2C, GPIO |
- Module can be switched to communicate over SPI with appropriate resistor pop option swaps
- Current is highest when transmitting and much lower most of the time
- A MiFare Classic card ships with the module
- Hardware-compatible with ISO-14443 RFID tags, including but not limited to: MiFare (Classic 1k, Classic 4k, Ultralight), DesFire, and FeliCa. Further information in the link.
- Compatible cards (consumer): Charlie, Clipper
Control up to 16 servos
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| TM part # | TM-03-XX |
| Latest version | TM-03-02 |
| Key components | PCA9685 LED driver |
| Current consumption (rated max) | 50 mA |
| Current consumption (average) | 10 mA |
| Communication protocol | I2C, GPIO |
- An I2C LED PWM driver makes for a great servo driver too!
- 16 channels
- Tessel is a 3.3V device, so Vout on the PWM channels is 3.3 V (works for standard hobby servos)
- 5.5 mm barrel jack (center positive) for powering servos
- Can be used to control anything that needs PWM (speed controllers, gate drivers-to-FETs-big LEDs, etc.)