Raspberry Pi Enhances Projects with New HATs Featuring PoE+ and NVMe Support
Online, Saturday, 14 December 2024.
Raspberry Pi’s latest HATs introduce PoE+ power and NVMe SSD slots, boosting functionality for advanced projects, appealing to both hobbyists and professionals.
Latest Hardware Integration
The Raspberry Pi ecosystem is expanding with significant hardware additions as of December 2024. The new HAT+ standard introduces enhanced capabilities, featuring automatic board configuration via EEPROM and standardized dimensions [4]. A standout development is the PCIe to M.2 adapter with Power over Ethernet (PoE) functionality, specifically designed for the Raspberry Pi 5, supporting NVMe protocol M.2 solid state drives for high-speed storage operations [4][5].
Power and Performance Specifications
These new HATs offer robust power delivery capabilities, with PoE input ranging from 37V to 57V DC [4][6]. The system can deliver up to 4.5A at 5V through the GPIO header and 2A at 12V through a dedicated 2P header [6]. For storage expansion, the HATs support multiple M.2 form factors (2230/2242/2260/2280), though users should note that only NVMe protocol drives are compatible [6]. Recent testing has shown successful integration with various NVMe SSDs, marking a significant advancement in Raspberry Pi storage capabilities [1].
Advanced Configuration Options
While the platform offers expanded capabilities, there are important considerations for multi-device setups. According to forum discussions, connecting multiple PCIe HATs requires an intermediate board with a PCIe packet switch [2]. Current bootloader limitations mean that while booting directly from devices behind a PCIe switch isn’t supported, users can configure systems with boot partitions on SD cards while maintaining root partitions on NVMe drives [2].
Real-World Implementation
Early adopter feedback has been largely positive, with users reporting successful implementations particularly in network-attached storage and high-performance computing applications [5]. However, some users have reported challenges with documentation and power supply requirements [5]. For optimal performance, it’s recommended to use a PoE switch capable of delivering at least 30W, particularly when utilizing both storage and networking features simultaneously [5].