SparkFun
SparkFun Thing Plus Dual-Port Logging Shield
We carry several data logging products which have microSD sockets on them: OpenLog Artemis and the Qwiic OpenLog to name but two. They're great for logging d...
We carry several data logging products which have microSD sockets on them: OpenLog Artemis and the Qwiic OpenLog to name but two. They're great for logging data to a microSD card, but when it comes to reading the logged data quickly you usually have to pop out the microSD card and plug it into your computer. But what if you're developing an embedded system and you don't want to or aren't able to eject the microSD card. Enter the SparkFun Thing Plus Dual-Port Logging Shield!
The SparkFun Dual-Port Logging Shield is a Thing Plus/Feather-compatible board which allows you to access your microSD card over both SPI and USB-C. It is designed to be mounted on or under one of our Thing Plus boards. You can log data to and read data from your microSD card over SPI as usual, using your favorite Arduino SD library. But you can also connect it to your computer via USB-C and read and write files at up to 35 MBytes/second! The write speed is card-dependent but, in our tests, we've routinely seen write speeds around 20MB/s.
The SparkFun Dual-Port Logging Shield has an ATtiny841 microcontroller on it to act as an arbiter: If you power up your Thing Plus, the ATtiny841 will automatically put the Dual-Port Logging Shield into SPI mode, so your Arduino code can access the microSD card as normal If you power the Shield from your computer by connecting it via USB-C, the ATtiny841 will put the Shield into SDIO "thumb drive" mode. Your computer can then read and write data really quickly! Finally, if you have both your Thing Plus powered up - and have your computer connected - then you can switch between the two modes by giving the ATtiny841 some very simple commands over I2C!
You can configure the ATtiny to automatically default to SPI mode or SDIO "thumb drive" mode if both power sources are powered up simultaneously. It's your choice!
Note: The USB2241, which provides the USB interface, supports FAT32, exFAT and NTFS on cards up to and including 32GB. Cards larger than 32GB are not supported.
Features:
- Thing Plus / Feather-compatible footprint and breakout pins
- ATtiny841 microcontroller
- The ATtiny841 acts as an arbiter and can put the shield into either SPI or SDIO ("thumb drive") mode
- USB2241 Ultra Fast USB 2.0 Media Controller
- Supports cards up to 32GB
- Supports FAT32, exFAT and NTFS
- Read and write speed: up to 35 MBytes/second (card-dependent)
- The board includes solder pads for an optional 24C04 I2C EEPROM
- Push-push microSD socket
- Simple I2C command set to switch modes and set the default mode
- Can be powered by:
- Thing Plus / Feather 3.3V
- USB-C 5V
- Or both!
- Full power control
- Sleep current (PWR LED disabled): 300 µA
- Power source voltage sensing
- Activity LED (for SDIO "thumb drive" mode)
- Power LED (configurable)
Documents:
- Schematic
- Eagle Files
- Board Dimensions
- Hookup Guide
- Datasheet (USB224x)
- Thing+ Info Page
- Arduino Library
- GitHub Hardware Repo
Videos
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- breakout
- A breakout is a small circuit board that makes a tiny or hard-to-solder component easier to connect to with standard pins. It matters because this OLED module can be wired into a microcontroller project without needing to solder directly to the display’s fine contacts.
- EEPROM
- A type of non-volatile memory that keeps stored data even when power is turned off. In a sensor module, it can be used to store settings or calibration data so they do not need to be re-entered every time.
- Feather-compatible
- Feather-compatible means the board follows the Adafruit Feather size and pin layout used by many add-on boards and enclosures. It matters because it helps you choose accessories that will physically fit and connect to the same pins.
- LED
- A light-emitting diode is a small electronic component that lights up when current flows through it in the correct direction. In this kit, LEDs create the flashing effect, so polarity and correct soldering matter for the project to work.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- microSD card
- A microSD card is a small removable memory card used to store files such as audio tracks. For this product, the card is where the sound files live, so its capacity and formatting can affect how many sounds you can use.
- Shield
- An add-on board that plugs into a main controller board to give it extra features such as sensing, motor control or communication. Knowing a product supports shields helps you judge whether it can connect neatly into an existing maker-board setup.
- SPI
- A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.
- Thing Plus
- Thing Plus is SparkFun’s development-board form factor with a small rectangular layout and connections suited to wireless and battery-powered projects. It matters because boards and accessories in the same form factor are easier to mount, wire, and swap between projects.
- USB-C
- A modern reversible USB connector used for power and data connections. On this product it matters because it can connect directly to a computer as well as to a microcontroller project.
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Brands
SparkFun Thing Plus Dual-Port Logging Shield Schematic
Schematic · 253.7 KB · Click any page to view full size
USB224x Datasheet
Datasheet · 718.1 KB · Click any page to view full size
Supplier page — sparkfun.com
Supplier Description · 588.7 KB · Click any page to view full size
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