STELLA-1.2 Prototyping module

The STELLA-1.2 Prototyping Module is a generic plugin module that connects to the STELLA-1.2 base instrument structurally and electrically, providing advanced users a ready-to-go platform on which to add custom sensor packages. The module exposes a Qwiic connector and I2C bus for digital sensor communication, an analog bus for analog sensor inputs, and both 3.3V and 5V power rails to support a wide range of sensor voltage requirements. It is fully modular and swappable with other STELLA-1.2 sensor modules on the same base platform. Sensors already supported by the STELLA-1.2 software will function immediately upon connection, while unsupported sensors can be integrated by editing the open-source software.

The Prototyping Module is designed to lower the financial and technical barriers to building custom instruments. The STELLA team provides a complete parts list, detailed build instructions, open-source software, and a collaborative GitHub forum. The module gives students, educators, and researchers a flexible engineering base to explore instrument design and scientific investigations beyond what existing STELLA modules already cover.

Important for beta users: The official STELLA-1.2 requires new housing and is not compatible with beta sensor modules. A conversion video guides beta testers through rewiring for the new platform.