SPIDER Automation Data Logging Shield | SD & RTC Board for Arduino
Description
The SPIDER Automation Data Logging Shield provides a reliable, inexpensive, and well-rounded solution for developers looking to record sensor metrics over time. Designed with an R3-compatible footprint, this shield mounts seamlessly onto just about any Arduino or pin-compatible controller, transforming your board into a powerful field data recorder with gigabytes of file storage.
Equipped with an integrated Real-Time Clock (RTC) and an SD card interface supporting FAT16 and FAT32 file systems, it enables you to timestamp every data point with absolute precision. Whether you are building an environmental monitoring station, an industrial logger, or a mobile telemetry rig, the included libraries and onboard prototyping area let you go from unboxing to recording data in under 15 minutes.
Key Features
- FAT16/FAT32 File Compatibility: Works with standard SD cards formatted for easy file transfer to computers for plotting and spreadsheet analysis.
- Precise Real-Time Clock (RTC): Keeps track of seconds, minutes, hours, date, and year, backed by a coin cell battery for long-term standalone operation.
- Built-In Level Shifter Circuitry: Protects delicate 3.3V SD cards while permitting super-fast read and write operations on 5V Arduino boards.
- Reliable 3.3V Regulator: Supplies clean reference voltage and delivers the heavy current required to run power-hungry SD media smoothly.
- R3 Layout Compatibility: Utilizes standard I2C and ICSP/SPI ports to ensure broad compatibility across Arduino Uno, Mega, Leonardo, and clones.
- Integrated Prototyping Grid: Features a dedicated soldering area for adding custom sensors, wiring, or components.
Benefits
- Eliminates Storage Bottlenecks: Easily logs thousands of data lines onto removable SD cards instead of limited microcontroller EEPROM.
- Ensures Accurate Timelines: Onboard RTC ensures your logs are permanently timestamped even during power outages or system resets.
- Simplifies Prototyping: Combines data logging, real-time tracking, and a custom build area onto a single stackable shield.
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Prevents Hardware Damage: Integrated level-shifting and power regulation safeguard storage cards against voltage spikes.
Applications
- Environmental Weather Stations: Logging ambient temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and rainfall data over weeks or months.
- Industrial Equipment Monitoring: Recording machine vibration, voltage spikes, and operational runtimes for predictive maintenance.
- Agricultural Soil & Crop Tracking: Gathering soil moisture, light intensity, and pH levels across greenhouse or field deployments.
- Automotive & Rover Telemetry: Storing GPS coordinates, speed metrics, and accelerometer outputs during vehicle test runs.
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Educational STEM Experiments: Teaching students data acquisition, sensor calibration, and graphical data analysis.
Package Inclusions
- 1 x SPIDER Automation Data Logging Shield for Arduino
Technical Specifications
| Item Type | Data Logging Expansion Shield |
| Brand / Series | SPIDER Automation (Adafruit Compatible Design) |
| Controller Compatibility | Arduino Uno, Mega, Leonardo, & R3-Compatible Boards |
| SD Card Support | FAT16 and FAT32 File System Formats |
| Real-Time Clock (RTC) | Hardware RTC with Coin Cell Battery Backup Slot |
| Voltage Regulation | Onboard 3.3V Regulator & Level-Shifting Circuitry |
| Onboard Hardware | Prototyping Solder Area & 2 x Configurable Indicator LEDs |
| Communication Ports | I2C Interface & ICSP / SPI Port (R3 Layout) |
| Overall Dimensions | 70 × 53 × 17 mm (L × W × H) |
| Net Board Weight | 22 g |
| Shipping Weight | 0.019 kg |
| Shipping Dimensions | 10 × 6 × 1 cm |