Adafruit Hardware Updates: Fruit Jam, Stepper Drivers, PiTFT, and PoE Modules

Fruit Jam Rev C Finalization

• ✅ The Fruit Jam Rev C is the final hardware revision, with all functionality now working flawlessly after extensive testing.
• 🛠️ Fixed an I2S amplifier issue by swapping M clock and LR clock pins, and corrected swapped LEDs, requiring minor hardware adjustments.
• 💡 A comprehensive hardware test was developed to verify all features, including SD card, I2S audio, NeoPixels, HSTX output, USB host, DVI, and Wi-Fi (ESP32-C6).

Sparkle Motion Microphone Fix

• ⚙️ Addressed low microphone yield on Sparkle Motion boards by discovering flux was clogging the mic hole.
• 🚀 The solution involved flipping the I2S microphone to the bottom side of the board, making assembly more complex but eliminating rework.
• ⚠️ This change was necessary because I2S microphones with top ports are unavailable, and PDM mics are not well-supported in WLED.

New Stepper Driver Prototypes

• 🔬 Received TMC2210 and TMC2240 stepper motor driver prototype boards for future testing.
• 🧠 These new drivers feature internal current limiting and auto-current detection, eliminating the need for external current sense resistors.
• 📈 The TMC2240 specifically requires SPI for microstep configuration, making driver software development more complex than previous models.

PiTFT Board Updates

• 🔄 The PiTFT 2.4-inch board was revised, replacing the delayed STMP chip with the TSC2007 touch controller.
• 🔌 The updated design features SMT headers for lower cost and easier manufacturing, along with a 40-pin FPC GPIO breakout for external hardware.
• ✅ The TSC2007 controller offers kernel support, allowing for both kernel-driven and bit-bang user mode operation.

Power over Ethernet Module Search

• 🔍 Responded to requests for PoE support on the Wiznet W5500 Ethernet breakout by searching for suitable modules.
• ⚡ Seeking a compact, plug-and-play PoE module from DigiKey that outputs 3V or 5V to power the Ethernet solution.
• 💡 Identified the Silvertel AG9905 LP as a strong candidate due to its low profile, plug-in style, and availability in various voltage options.