Global technology solutions provider, Avnet, introduced the Monarch Go Pi HAT*, a new development kit designed to help product engineers and network developers enable suitable LTE connectivity for IoT solutions. Utilizing the Monarch Go LTE-M modem component from Sequans, the new solution is ideal for use in business-critical applications, including asset tracking and remote monitoring.

Monarch Go is equipped with an LTE antenna and is pre-certified for end-customer use on the Verizon network, which according to the company, allows engineers to reduce lab testing and development time. Monarch Go is based on the Sequans Monarch GM01Q module that supports LTE-M and NB-IoT and is certified by operators in North America, Europe, and Asia, allowing worldwide deployment and roaming capability. 

The Monarch Go Pi HAT can operate in two modes for added development flexibility, either in conjunction with a single-board computer or in stand-alone mode, leveraging a micro USB interface. In addition, the Pi HAT includes a shuttle click expansion connector to enable 3.3V I/O I2C, SPI, UART, and GPIO-based click modules from MikroElektronika. This expansion connector provides engineers with access to an array of click module offerings, which can be used to prototype LTE-based applications such as asset tracking, remote monitoring, and embedded kiosks.

The Monarch Go Pi HAT kit includes a production-ready Monarch Go LTE modem with pre-installed ThingSpace IoT SIM, the MikroElektronika shuttle click site, voltage I/O translator, and micro USB. Pi HAT supports both Monarch Go and Monarch Go-GPS modems.

The Monarch Go Pi HAT kit is available in the Americas for USD $72.95. For more information, visit: https://www.avnet.com/wps/portal/us/

*HAT stands for "hardware attached on top," a hardware specification for add-on modules compatible with all Raspberry Pi models from B+ onwards. HATs have several advantages compared to older add-on modules for the Raspberry Pi, such as no soldering required - just plug it onto the Raspberry Pi.