bPiShift – An Open-Source 28-PIN Bidirectional Logic Level Shifter For Raspberry Pi

bPiShift bidirectional logic level shifter for Raspberry Pi

bPiShift is a snap-on 5 V logic level shifter designed for Raspberry Pi’s 40-pin GPIO header. It enables safe, clutter-free interfacing with 5V devices such as sensors, serial modules, and microcontrollers, making it a compact and practical solution for Pi prototyping without external boards or jumper wires.

The board offers bidirectional MOSFET-based level shifting across all 28 usable GPIO pins, a selectable 5 V power jumper, onboard/external power options, and a power LED. It is fully compatible with Raspberry Pi 2/3/4/5 and Zero models, tested with I²C, serial, and logic-level peripherals, and small enough to fit most enclosures.

bPiShift: Front, Back, and Side View

bPiShift Specifications

• Compatibility – Raspberry Pi 2/3/4/5 and Zero series boards
• Interface – Direct snap-on to Raspberry Pi 40-pin GPIO header
• Level Shifting – Bidirectional logic level translation (3.3V ↔ 5V)
• GPIO Support – 5V level shifting on all 28 usable pins of Pi-type 40-pin header
• Misc
  • Power LED
  • Laser-etched pin labels for GPIO identification
• Power
  • Selectable 5V source via jumper
  • Supports onboard Pi 5V rail or external power supply
• Form Factor – Compact design fits most standard Raspberry Pi enclosures without blocking GPIO access
• Dimensions – 51.2 x 27.5 x 6.2 mm
• Operating temperature – 0 °C to 60 °C
• Humidity – 10% to 95% RH (Non-condensing)
• Weight – 10 grams

The bPiShift does not require any special drivers or configuration, as it is built around standard MOSFET-based bidirectional level shifting at the hardware level. It is fully compatible with Raspberry Pi’s operating system and works out-of-the-box with Raspbian, Raspberry Pi OS, and any other Linux distributions or bare-metal environments. Since all GPIOs work as standard GPIOs, existing software, libraries, and frameworks (such as Python GPIO, WiringPi, or I²C/SPI drivers) operate normally without modification.

PiShift connected to a Raspberry Pi

PiShift inside the Pi case

The bPiShift is funded on Crowd Supply, with pricing announced at campaign start. Users can sign up for updates, and worldwide shipping will be handled by Crowd Supply after funding. More information about the products can be found on the company’s GitBook page.

Images used courtesy of bPiShift’s