Keyboard Builders' Digest / Tips & Tricks
Solder Party RP2350 Stamp & Stamp XL
Solder Party is expanding their Stamp line with new controllers: the RP2350 Stamp and Stamp XL are devboards with up to 48 GPIO pins.
Published August 8, 2024
Solder Party's Artur announced two new RP2350-powered development boards (and also a new carrier that is probably less interesting for keyboard builders).
Integrating Raspberry's newly launched RP2350 microcontrollers, the Malmö, Sweden, based team is expanding their Stamp line with the new RP2350 Stamp and Stamp XL – with lots of features and 30-48 GPIO pins, respectively.
Features
Based on its form factor, the RP2350 Stamp can attract the greatest interest among keyboard enthusiasts. Like the RP2040 Stamp, covered back in 2021, the RP2350 Stamp packs a lot of firepower into its 1 by 1-inch area: breaking out 30 GPIO pins of the the Raspberry Pi RP2350A MCU, offering 16MB of FLASH, plus power circuitry, including battery management. It simplifies the integration of the new MCU into user projects, supporting e.g. FlexyPin mounting, saving faint-hearted hobbyists from soldering.
Even better, the RP2350 Stamp is pad-compatible with the previous RP2040 Stamp, offering a drop-in solution for users seeking an easy upgrade path without redesigning their existing hardware.
The RP2350 Stamp XL extends the functionalities of the RP2350 Stamp by offering 48 GPIO pins and extra space for a second QSPI FLASH/PSRAM chip, tailored for users needing even greater flexibility in their projects. This larger module measures 1 by 1¾ inches while staying partially pad-compatible with the smaller Stamps.
For the sake of completeness, the RP2xxx Stamp Carrier XL complements the Stamp modules by providing a robust development platform that follows the Mega/Due form factor, familiar from Arduino boards. It is compatible with many existing shields and features a variety of interfaces, including USB Host and Device, microSD, Qwiic, and a Micro HDMI-shaped connector, making it an adaptable board for various development needs.
The Carrier can be powered by either USB, DC Jack, or a LiPo battery. The Carrier's unique 3-in-1 SMD/TH/FlexyPin Stamp footprint allows for various assembly options. This versatility makes the Carrier not only an excellent development board but also an ideal testing and flashing jig for the Stamps.
Price & Availability
The RP2350 Stamp, RP2350 Stamp XL, and RP2xxx Stamp Carrier XL are set to be available in a few weeks, but you can already join the waitlist at Solder Party's Lectronz Store.
Both boards are listed for about €10 at the moment, that makes them a very affordable controller if you are short on pins, don't want to bother with exotic keyboard matrices, but have a more complex keyboard project in mind.
By the way, every Solder Party gadget is open hardware.
For more in-depth information check out the Solder Party Documentation.
Resources
- https://www.solder.party/
- https://lectronz.com/products/search?q=RP2+Stamp
- https://docs.solder.party/
- https://github.com/solderparty
Published on Thu 8th Aug 2024. Featured in KBD #172.
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