qUPS-P-BC: Extreme Uptime for Raspberry Pi
The qUPS-P-BC is the reliable battery-powered UPS HAT that delivers when you need more than just a quick backup. Choose from a range of Li-Ion, LiFePO4, and Sodium-Ion options to ensure your Raspberry Pi project stays on for hours, not just minutes.
Learn About Our Approach
Goal – What We Wanted
Create a UPS solution for Raspberry Pi or compatible product, which has long operation time and wide range of battery technology support. Battery should be installed and replaced easily. Capable of powering the system with 12V or 24V power source.
Design Considerations – How We Were Thinking
From FactorFor easy assembly, qUPS has HAT form factor. Simply connect it via the 40 pin header.
Wide range of Battery technologyIt has to be compatible with Li-Ion, LiFePo4 and Sodium-ion battery. Ability to choose the best technology for the given application.
High EfficiencyHighly efficient boost converter for increasing the backup time.
Minimize inline energy lossOffline topology - very efficient in inline state. Disadvantage: very short (<1ms) voltage degradation at power loss. Raspberry Pi can handle such issue.
StackabilityPins on the connector are long ones, all can be accessed from the top of the product.
Communication AbilityCapable of warning the Raspberry Pi in case of input power loss, and at low energy level of the energy storage for proper shutdown.
GPIO communicationEasy programming. Avoid extra load on capacitance limited I2C bus. Only 3 GPIO ports for communication. 3 options to choose from.
Disable communicationAll GPIO ports can be used for other purpose.
Reliable connectionMassive, soldered pin header for power and signal connection. Pogo pins are not reliable.
Zero firmwareEverything is done by hardware.
Shutdown issue handlingIf the power is coming back, when the Raspberry Pi is already in shutdown mode, it can stuck in this state. qUPS is able to handle this situation properly.
Safe bootIn AUTO mode the Raspberry Pi will be powered, if there are enough time for booting the OS and make a proper shutdown process. This level is adjustable.
Avoid restart cycleIf the qUPS’s energy level is too low in backup mode, it can’t power the system. Without a load, it restores 5V, causing the system to restart repeatedly. In AUTO mode, the qUPS switches off the power below an adjustable energy threshold.
On mode – the reasonIn AUTO mode, the Raspberry Pi doesn’t start immediately, and the supercapacitor’s full capacity isn’t used. ON mode solves these, but safety features are lost.
12V or 24V power sourceCapability to power by higher voltage power source.
Battery protectionReverse polarity and thermal (NTC) protection for saving the battery and increasing its lifespan.
Parameters – What We Have Designed
Energy storage deviceType
Battery (Li-Ion / LFP / NA-Ion)
Capacitance
No limit
Capacity extendable
Charge cycle
1000 / 3000 / 5000
Operation temp. range
-0..+40 / -20..+60 / -20..+60 ˚C
Backup time on RPi5 (max load)
- / - / -
Physical parametersForm factor
Raspberry Pi HAT
Dimensions
65x56x23 mm + 11mm header
Stackable
Replaceable supercapacitor
Electric parametersCharging current
2A
Maximum discharge current
7.5A
Maximum load current
3.5A
Output voltage
5V
Power SupplyInput voltage on main connector
5V
Input voltage on auxiliary connector
6-28V
USB PD (RPi5) compatibility
ConnectorsMain power input
USB-C
Auxillary power input
Reset
CommunicationMethod
3 GPIO port
GPIO port allocation
3 options
Disabling option
SetupMode options
AUTO-ON-OFF
Adjustable level threshold
Adjustable input voltage threshold
SafetyReverse polarity protection on auxillary input
Reverse polarity protection on battery connector
ControlExternal control of the power of Raspberry Pi
IndicationInput Power
Supercapacitor voltage level
4 LEDs
SoftwareControl software
C++ & Python
Compare the qUPS family members
Documentation – Where you can find more information
GithubImages – How It Looks Like
