Omzlo's FIDI Offers a Compact CircuitPython Dev Platform, Squeezes in Qwiiic and Terminal Blocks

Based on arturo182's Serpente design, FIDI offers 3.5mm terminal blocks and a Qwiic connector in an ultra-compact form factor.

Gareth Halfacree
4 years ago β€’ Python on Hardware / HW101

Omzlo Electronics has released an ultra-compact yet easily-accessible prototyping board for CircuitPython users: the FIDI, based on arturo182's earlier Serpente design.

"FIDI is a small development board running Adafruit's CircuitPython, featuring 6 terminal block connectors and a Qwiic connector, designed for fast prototyping," the company explains. "It runs on the ATSAMD21 microcontroller, a 32-bit Arm Cortex M0+ clocked at 48Mhz, as found on many popular Arduino-compatible boards."

"Though FIDI only features 6 GPIOs, they can be configured as digital or analog IOs, SPI, I2C, UART, or a combination thereof. Four of those GPIOs are available through terminal block connectors, allowing connections with a simple screwdriver. The two remaining GPIOs are available on a four-pin JST-SH connector, in an arrangement that is fully compatible with SparkFun's Qwiic connector system (also called STEMMA QT by Adafruit). This allows you to quickly test sensors and other circuits without any soldering."

Despite these features, the FIDI board is extremely compact: Its footprint measures just 25.4x22mm (around 1x0.86"), despite the 3.5mm terminal blocks, JST-SH connector, and a micro-USB port for power and data. The unit is driven by an ATSAMD21E18A microcontroller, which offers 256kB flash memory and 32kB RAM while there's a separate 4MB flash memory module for CircuitPython files and other data.

"FIDI is open source hardware. In fact, it's a derivative of arturo182's excellent Serpente," Omzlo writes. "The main difference between Serpente and FIDI is the connectivity, with FIDI featuring Micro USB, 3.5mm terminal blocks, and JST connectors. On the software side, FIDI is 100% compatible with Serpente."

Full details are available on the Omzlo website, while the board is now available to buy on Tindie for $15.

Gareth Halfacree
Freelance journalist, technical author, hacker, tinkerer, erstwhile sysadmin. For hire: freelance@halfacree.co.uk.
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