SPIDER Automation 52Pi N21 Dual NVMe Base | ASM1182e PCIe Gen 2 Storage Expansion | For Raspberry Pi 5
Description
The SPIDER Automation 52Pi N21 Dual 2280 NVMe Base is a high-speed storage expansion board designed specifically for the Raspberry Pi 5. Built around the ASM1182e PCIe packet switch, the N21 provides dual NVMe interfaces, allowing two compatible M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs to be integrated into a single Raspberry Pi 5 storage platform.
The dual-drive architecture provides greater storage flexibility for Raspberry Pi 5 systems that require additional local storage capacity and high-speed data access. The ASM1182e supports PCIe Gen 2, providing the PCIe expansion architecture required for the dual NVMe storage configuration.
The N21 uses a bottom-mounted design, which helps preserve the top-side HAT mounting area and avoids interfering with the use of a compatible top HAT. It is also designed to remain compatible with the official Raspberry Pi Active Cooler, making it suitable for performance-oriented Raspberry Pi 5 configurations.
Power delivery is designed specifically for NVMe storage requirements. Custom high-current gold-plated spring pins provide the board-to-board power connection, while two high-efficiency DC/DC step-down converters provide up to 3A + 3A to the connected SSDs. This dedicated power architecture supports stable operation of the dual-drive storage configuration.
Two integrated LED indicators provide drive-status visibility, allowing the operating state of the two storage interfaces to be monitored directly from the expansion board. The N21 also supports the HAT+ standby power state, automatically switching off when the Raspberry Pi 5 shuts down.
Key Features
- Dual NVMe Interfaces: Provides two M.2 2280 NVMe storage interfaces for Raspberry Pi 5.
- Raspberry Pi 5 Compatibility: Designed exclusively for Raspberry Pi 5.
- ASM1182e Chipset: Uses the ASM1182e high-performance PCIe packet-switching chipset.
- PCIe Gen 2 Support: Supports PCIe Gen 2 for the storage expansion architecture.
- Dual 2280 Storage: Designed for two M.2 2280 NVMe SSDs.
- Bottom-Mounted Architecture: Positions the expansion board underneath the Raspberry Pi 5 and helps preserve top-side HAT compatibility.
- High-Current Spring Pins: Uses custom gold-plated spring pins for the board-to-board power connection.
- Dual DC/DC Power Conversion: Integrates two high-efficiency step-down converters for SSD power delivery.
- SSD Power Capacity: Each DC/DC converter can deliver up to 3A, providing a maximum 3A + 3A configuration for the two SSD power paths.
- Drive Status LEDs: Provides individual LED indicators for the two storage drives.
- Official Active Cooler Compatibility: Designed to work with the official Raspberry Pi Active Cooler.
- HAT+ Standby Support: Supports automatic power-off when the Raspberry Pi 5 enters its shutdown state.
- Compact Integration: Provides dual NVMe storage expansion without occupying the top-side HAT mounting position.
Benefits
- Dual-Drive Storage Expansion: Allows two NVMe SSDs to be integrated into one Raspberry Pi 5 storage platform.
- High-Speed Local Storage: Provides an NVMe-based storage architecture for applications requiring faster local data access.
- Flexible System Expansion: Dual storage interfaces provide greater capacity and configuration flexibility than a single-drive expansion.
- Dedicated SSD Power: Separate DC/DC conversion provides dedicated power delivery for the connected NVMe drives.
- Clean Mechanical Integration: Bottom-mounted construction helps preserve the top-side expansion area.
- Power-State Management: HAT+ standby support reduces unnecessary power to the expansion board when the Raspberry Pi 5 is shut down.
- System Monitoring: Integrated LED indicators provide direct visibility of the two drive-status channels.
Storage Expansion
The N21 provides two M.2 2280 NVMe interfaces through its ASM1182e-based PCIe expansion architecture. This allows two compatible NVMe SSDs to be installed in the Raspberry Pi 5 system for increased storage capacity and high-speed local data access.
The dual-drive configuration is suitable for Raspberry Pi 5 systems where storage capacity, multiple NVMe devices or storage-intensive workloads require more than a single NVMe interface.
Power Management
The N21 incorporates two high-efficiency DC/DC step-down converters, with each converter capable of delivering up to 3A for the connected SSD power path. Custom high-current gold-plated spring pins provide the board-to-board power connection between the Raspberry Pi 5 and expansion board.
The integrated power architecture is designed to support the requirements of the dual NVMe configuration while maintaining compatibility with the Raspberry Pi 5 power-management architecture.
Mechanical & Cooling Compatibility
The N21 uses a bottom-mounted design so that the expansion board does not interfere with the use of a top-mounted HAT. It is also fully compatible with the official Raspberry Pi Active Cooler, making it suitable for Raspberry Pi 5 systems requiring both NVMe storage expansion and active thermal management.
Applications
- Raspberry Pi 5 Storage Servers: Dual-NVMe storage expansion for server and storage-focused deployments.
- NAS Systems: Multi-drive NVMe storage platforms based on Raspberry Pi 5.
- Database Systems: Local NVMe storage expansion for data-intensive database workloads.
- Media Servers: High-speed local storage for media libraries and server applications.
- Data-Intensive Embedded Systems: Raspberry Pi 5 platforms requiring expanded local storage capacity.
- Industrial Computing: Compact storage expansion for Raspberry Pi 5-based industrial and automation systems.
- Network Storage Infrastructure: Dual-drive storage platforms requiring high-speed local NVMe access.
Package Includes
- 1 × 52Pi N21 Dual 2280 NVMe Base for Raspberry Pi 5
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Dual NVMe Base / Storage Expansion Board |
| Manufacturer | 52Pi |
| Model | N21 Dual 2280 NVMe |
| Host Platform | Raspberry Pi 5 Only |
| NVMe Interfaces | 2 × M.2 NVMe |
| Supported SSD Form Factor | M.2 2280 |
| PCIe Switch | ASM1182e |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe Gen 2 |
| Power Conversion | 2 × High-Efficiency DC/DC Step-Down Converters |
| SSD Power Output | Up to 3A + 3A |
| Power Connection | High-Current Gold-Plated Spring Pins |
| Status Indicators | 2 × LED Drive Status Indicators |
| HAT+ Standby Support | Yes |
| Active Cooler Compatibility | Official Raspberry Pi Active Cooler |
| Mounting Design | Bottom-Mounted |
| Top HAT Compatibility | Designed not to interfere with top HAT installation |
| Interface | PCIe |
| Display / Indicator | LED |
| Shipping Weight | 0.065kg |
| Shipping Dimensions | 6 × 11 × 3cm |
