HatDrive! Top Lite PCIe Adapter for NVMe 2230 and 2242 Drives for the Raspberry Pi 5

Product Description

The HatDrive! Top Lite PCIe expansion module is a solution designed for the Raspberry Pi 5 that enables the use of high-speed NVMe storage devices. The adapter supports M.2 2230 and 2242 drives with an M-Key. The use of a PCIe x1 interface compliant with Gen2 and Gen3 standards enables high data transfer speeds.

The device is equipped with an integrated voltage regulator compliant with the M.2 (NGFF) standard, which delivers up to 3A on the 3.3V line, ensuring stable operation of the connected drives. The board’s dimensions comply with the official Raspberry Pi HAT standard (65 x 56.50 mm). Constructed from a 4-layer PCB laminate and carefully selected components, the module ensures long-term reliability.

⭐ Benefits

• Higher storage performance: Access to the high-speed PCIe Gen2/Gen3 interface significantly reduces data read and write times.
• Dedicated power supply circuit: The built-in 3.3V 3A regulator eliminates power shortage issues when the NVMe drive is under load.
• Compact HAT design: Dimensions of 65 x 56.50 mm ensure a perfect fit for the module on the base board.
• Convenient monitoring: Two LEDs indicate power status (PWR) and M.2 drive activity (ACT).
• Reliable mounting: The use of a CNC-machined metal bracket ensures stable and secure mounting of M.2 drives.

Example Applications

• Fast system drive: Boot the operating system directly from NVMe storage on a Raspberry Pi.
• Home data server (NAS): Create low-latency storage with fast network access.
• Databases and web applications: Storing data that requires high IOPS.
• Media player: Smooth streaming and buffering of high-resolution video content.
• Development environment: Fast project compilation and support for development containers.

Key Technical Features

• Compatibility: Up to Raspberry Pi 5
• Supported drive formats: M.2 NVMe (M-key) in 2230 and 2242 sizes
• Data bus: PCIe x1 (Gen2 and Gen3 standards)
• Power supply: Built-in 3.3V voltage regulator with a capacity of up to 3A (M.2 NGFF-compliant)
• Status indicators: 2x LEDs (PWR – power supply voltage, ACT – drive activity)
• Board dimensions: 65 x 56.50 mm (compliant with the Raspberry Pi HAT standard)
• Design: 4-layer PCB with clear assembly markings

Package contents

• 1x HatDrive! Top Lite PCIe module for Raspberry Pi
• 1x Dedicated PCIe FPC signal ribbon
• 1x Set of M2.5 sleeves and screws
• 1x Metal spacer pin for mounting the M.2 drive