New embedded boards seem to be coming all the time. The newest in the news is from developers of Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi foundation has a solution for the odd layout of the normal, consumer Pi: The Raspberry Pi compute module, a Raspi and 4GB flash drive, sans connectors, on an industry standard DDR2 SODIMM module. A small(er) form factor pi with integrated memory looks like a nice path to many embedded Raspberry Pi applications. The Raspberry Pi foundation hopes to take the diminutive computer beyond “builder” projects and into actual industrial and embedded applications that drive up demand for Raspberry Pi hardware, helping the foundation to raise more money to support the open source projects and educational initiatives it funds. The compute module should cost about $30/piece in quantity 100, which is an attractive price point. The Raspberry Pi compute module should be available in June.
The compute module (left on the picture) contains the guts of a Raspberry Pi (the BCM2835 processor and 512Mbyte of RAM) as well as a 4Gbyte eMMC Flash device (which is the equivalent of the SD card in the Pi). This is all integrated on to a small 67.6x30mm board which fits into a standard DDR2 SODIMM connector. There are many more GPIOs and interfaces are available as compared to the Raspberry Pi. The Compute Module is primarily designed for those who are going to create their own PCB. However, there will also be a the Compute Module IO Board, that is a simple open-source breakout board that you can plug a Compute Module into and get easy access to the signals (part of Raspberry Pi Compute Module Development Kit). You get access to USB, HDMI, two camera interfaces etc. The board design will be open sourced so you can develop your own devices using the BCM2835 processor.
One note is that compute module and Compute Module IO Board provide no network connectivity as such. To get Ethernet connectivity, you will need to use a suitable USB-Ethernet adapter (same approach as original Raspberry Pi used integrated to motherboard). If you need wireless connectivity, you need to use other suitable communications module that connects to USB connector (WiFi, GPRS, 3G etc.)
39 Comments
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi’s Eben Upton: How We’re Turning Everyone Into DIY Hackers
http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/14/04/09/1916214/raspberry-pis-eben-upton-how-were-turning-everyone-into-diy-hackers
“Eben Upton is the CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s trading company, where he oversees production and sales of the Raspberry Pi. In a lengthy interview with ReadWrite, Upton shares how he invented Raspberry Pi, and what’s coming next for the $35 microcomputer.”
Raspberry Pi’s Eben Upton: How We’re Turning Everyone Into DIY Hackers
Inside the mind that prototyped a $35 computer for tinkerers.
http://readwrite.com/2014/04/08/raspberry-pi-eben-upton-builders#awesm=~oAYz0nHS6hRM6w
Eben Upton, cofounder of the Raspberry Pi Foundation, is generally credited as the magician behind this incredible machine. While working on his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Cambridge’s computer laboratory, Upton painstakingly put together Raspberry Pi prototypes by hand.
Today, Upton is CEO of the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s trading company, where he oversees production and sales of the Raspberry Pi. The foundation has now sold more than 2.5 million units.
Tomi Engdahl says:
First look – Raspberry Pi Compute Module (photo gallery) #raspberrypi @Raspberry_Pi
http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2014/04/11/first-look-raspberry-pi-compute-module-photo-gallery-raspberrypi-raspberry_pi/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi powers the Sherlybox personal cloud server
It is serious. And do call it Shirly.
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2349015/raspberry-pi-powers-the-sherlybox-personal-cloud-server
RASPBERRY PI, the barebones single chip computer, is being used as the basis of a secure personal cloud server.
The Sherlybox uses peer-to-peer (P2P) networking to enable filesharing between computers and networks on a per folder basis, using a protocol known as Gateless Virtual-private Networking (GVN).
Unlike commercial cloud services, which run from a central server, GVN has no traffic or storage limitations and transfers are, the company claims, 20 times the speed of CIFS and SMB. All files are fully encrypted end-to-end so only the people you’ve authorised to see your documents can.
The Sherlybox runs on a Raspberry Pi module C with 4GB of RAM and support for 2.5in hard drives, which are available included or separately.
Sherlybox’s GVN software is already available in beta and is initially available for Windows, Linux and Mac, with mobile apps to follow.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Real Raspberry Pi Clone (Not ‘Inspired By’)
http://hackaday.com/2014/07/30/a-real-raspberry-pi-clone-not-inspired-by/
Recently, Broadcom has started to sell the BCM2835 to anyone who has the cash and from the looks of it, real Raspberry Pi clones are starting to make their way into the marketplace.
The new board also has the same 26 pin GPIO expansion socket, and runs the same binaries as the Raspberry P;. It is a clone in every sense, with a slightly different form factor geared towards very tiny, portable, and battery-powered use cases.
Unlike the official Raspberry Pi Compute Module, the Odroid isn’t meant to be used as a system on module, shoved into any product that needs a fast-ish ARM core without needing engineers to actually design a circuit with an ARM. The Odroid is a cut-down, extremely minimalist version of the Raspi, perfect for any project where space is at a premium.
As far as price goes, you can pick one of these Odroids up for $30 USD, with $9 shipping from South Korea. That’s pretty comparable to the price of a real Raspberry Pi
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi a la Module
http://issuu.com/eeweb/docs/10-2014_pulse_1_pages/15?e=7607911/9904566
Tomi Engdahl says:
Stereo Vision and Depth Mapping with Two Raspi Camera Modules
http://hackaday.com/2014/11/03/stereo-vision-and-depth-mapping-with-two-raspi-camera-modules/
The Raspberry Pi has a port for a camera connector, allowing it to capture 1080p video and stream it to a network without having to deal with the craziness of webcams and the improbability of capturing 1080p video over USB. The Raspberry Pi compute module is a little more advanced; it breaks out two camera connectors, theoretically giving the Raspberry Pi stereo vision and depth mapping. [David Barker] put a compute module and two cameras together making this build a reality.
Tomi Engdahl says:
OpenPi: wireless computer for inventors, makers and coders
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wirelessthings/openpi-wireless-computer-for-inventors-makers-and
Open source design lowers cost by 2/3rds of building Raspberry Pi Compute 1&2 powered cool stuff.
OpenPi is an open source project, and a neat alternative to the Rasberry Pi Compute development kit. The holistic approach for non-embedded engineers, guides people who love to write software, through the problematic stages of getting small scale products to market. On offer are reference PCB’s, a customisable ABS case, open-source design files and collaborative design support. When it’s as easy to get up and running as a games console, and affordable enough for cottage industry inventors to profit from, OpenPi is forging a new way of bringing cool ideas to the masses.
Inside the injection moulded enclosure a is tiny 32 bit ARM based computer running Linux, 512Mb Ram, 4Gb eMMCstorage and lots of wireless connectivity. The design has 2 internal USB sockets, one spare, one used for WiFi and integrated: Infra RED receiver, Bluetooth LE module and an SRF sub Ghz transceiver for communicating with long range low power nodes, such as the XRF or Arduino compatible RFu.
Tomi Engdahl says:
A Win For The Raspberry Pi Compute Module
http://hackaday.com/2016/10/19/a-win-for-the-raspberry-pi-compute-module/
News comes from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, of something of a coup for their Compute Module product. Support for it is to be integrated into NEC’s line of commercial displays, and the electronics giant has lined up a list of software partners to provide integrated signage solutions for the platform.
It is interesting to note how NEC have done this, while it’s being spun by the Foundation as a coup for them the compute module sits on a daughter board in a slot on the back of the display rather than on the display PCB itself. They are likely hedging their bets with this move, future daughter boards could be created to provide support for other platforms should the Compute Module board fail to gain traction.
The Compute Module – now in an NEC display near you
https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/compute-module-nec-display-near-you/
Back in April 2014, we launched the Compute Module to provide hardware developers with a way to incorporate Raspberry Pi technology into their own products. Since then, we’ve seen it used to build home media players, industrial control systems, and everything in between.
Earlier this week, NEC announced that they would be adding Compute Module support to their next-generation large-format displays, starting with 40″, 48″, and 55″ models in January 2017, and eventually scaling all the way up to a monstrous 98″ (!!) by the end of the year. These are commercial-grade displays designed for use in brightly lit public spaces such as schools, offices, shops, and railway stations.
NEC have already lined up a range of software partners in retail, airport information systems, education, and corporate to provide presentation and signage software which runs on the Compute Module platform. You’ll be seeing these roll out in a lot of locations that you visit frequently.
Each display has an internal bay which accepts an adapter board loaded with either the existing Compute Module or the upcoming Compute Module 3, which incorporates the BCM2837 application processor and 1GB of LPDDR2 memory found on the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B. We’re expecting to do a wider release of Compute Module 3 to everybody around the end of the year.
Comments:
This is fantastic. Does it have Ethernet connectivity built in? It could be perfect for my application.
“Somebody spotted what they think is a LAN 9514 chip on the carrier board. So, assuming the display brings out the 9514 connections, it would have an Ethernet jack. If it just has some USB ports, a USB to Ethernet adapter would work.”
Hi Mark,
Ethernet is provided via the RJ45 connection of the display. The RPi gets a separate IP address.
The NEC version of the compute module will come with 16GB eMMC on board. The first displays will all provide FHD resolution. And yes compute modules will be available stand-alone (via NEC sales partners). Both CM and IO board /mezzanine board will come either fully integrated or as options for our displays.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi Launches Compute Module 3
http://hackaday.com/2017/01/16/raspberry-pi-launches-compute-module-3/
The forgotten child of the Raspberry Pi family finally has an update. The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 has been launched.
The Pi 3 Compute Module was teased all the way back in July, and what we knew then is just about what we know now. The new Compute Module is based on the BCM2837 processor – the same as found in the Raspberry Pi 3 – running at 1.2 GHz with 1 gigabyte of RAM. The basic form factor SODIMM form factor remains the same between the old and new Compute Modules, although the new version is 1 mm taller.
The Compute Module 3 comes with four gigabytes of eMMC Flash and sells for $30 on element14 and RS Components. There’s also a cost-reduced version called the Compute Module 3 Light
The CM3 Lite version sells for $25.
The Compute Module was always the black sheep of the Raspberry Pi family, although it did find a few applications in its desired use case. The Raspberry Pi Foundation heralded NEC’s announcement of a line of large-format displays using the Compute Module recently. The OTTO, from Next Thing Co., makers of the C.H.I.P. single board computer, also had a Pi Compute Module shoved in its brain.
Compute Module 3 Launch!
https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/compute-module-3-launch/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi Upgrades Compute Module With 10 Times the CPU Performance
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/17/01/16/2011244/raspberry-pi-upgrades-compute-module-with-10-times-the-cpu-performance
The Raspberry Pi Compute Module is getting a big upgrade, with the same processor used in the recently released Raspberry Pi 3.
The upgrade announced today has 1GB of RAM and a Broadcom BCM2837 processor that can run at up to 1.2GHz. “This means it provides twice the RAM and roughly ten times the CPU performance of the original Compute Module,”
The core module is tiny so that it can fit into other hardware, but for development purposes there is a separate I/O board with GPIO, USB and MicroUSB, CSI and DSI ports for camera and display boards, HDMI, and MicroSD. The Compute Module 3 and the lite version cost $30 and $25, respectively.
Raspberry Pi upgrades Compute Module with 10 times the CPU performance
Compute Module for embedded computing gets first big upgrade since 2014.
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/01/raspberry-pi-upgrades-compute-module-with-10-times-the-cpu-performance/
The upgrade announced today has 1GB of RAM and a Broadcom BCM2837 processor that can run at up to 1.2GHz. “This means it provides twice the RAM and roughly ten times the CPU performance of the original Compute Module,” the Raspberry Pi Foundation announcement said.
This is the second major version of the Compute Module, but it’s being called the “Compute Module 3″ to match the last flagship Pi’s version number.
it fits into a standard SODIMM connector. The latest version is being used by NEC in displays intended for digital signs, streaming, and presentations. The new Compute Module can run Windows IoT Core and supports Linux.
two versions of the [Compute Module 3] are being released: one with 4GB eMMC on-board and a ‘Lite’ model which requires the user to add their own SD card socket or eMMC flash
In most cases, the new Compute Module can replace the original in embedded projects because the form factor is nearly identical.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Game Boy Mod Uses Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3
http://hackaday.com/2017/06/02/game-boy-mod-uses-raspberry-pi-compute-module-3/
[inches] wanted the power of a Raspberry Pi 3 in a form factor closer to the Pi Zero for a Game Boy mod. This led him to design a custom PCB to interface with one of the less popular items in the Raspberry Pi line: the Compute Module 3.
https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/compute-module-3/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Professional NEC displays: you can now integrate Raspberry Pi and Ubuntu Core
https://www.open-electronics.org/professional-nec-displays-you-can-now-integrate-raspberry-pi-and-ubuntu-core/
NEC Display Solutions Europe has announced a collaboration with Canonical Screenly . The intent will create a synergy between the NEC displays, the Raspberry, the Ubuntu Core OS and the Screenly platform. The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 (CM3) can be integrated with all & NEC Series P and V display, available in 40 “, 48” and 55 “cuts.
Ubuntu Core is the operating system that was born as a simplified version of Ubuntu for Internet of Things and for integrated devices. To complete the framework is the Screenly platform, used to handle the functions of digital signage (the so-called “digital billboards”).
The displays can then leverage a media player capable of playing Full HD video, images, and pages.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Project Fin, a Board from Resin.io
https://blog.hackster.io/project-fin-a-board-from-resin-io-3666ea20f73d
Resin.io is one of the few successful startups
dealing with the thorny issue of the provisioning, and updating, of the software on distributed smart devices. Along the way they’ve spun off software tools that we now use everyday, this includes Etcher, a tool most of us now use when burning SD cards when we’re setting up our Raspberry Pi boards.
In fact the company has a long history playing around with the Raspberry Pi
Meet Project Fin, a carrier board for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module.
So today’s introduction of Project Fin is a direct appeal to Resin’s core industrial market, and potentially can be seen as Resin ‘growing up’ as a company.
Tomi Engdahl says:
CM3-PANEL – Panel PC based on Raspberry Compute Module 3
https://www.acmesystems.it/CM3-PANEL
CM3-Panel is a thin panel PC based on Raspberry Pi 3 industrial module thought to be integrated on the front panel of your devices
Tomi Engdahl says:
Strato Pi CM
https://www.sferalabs.cc/blog/strato-pi-cm/
Say hello to Strato Pi CM, an extremely compact industrial server based on Raspberry Pi Compute Module.
Strato Pi CM embeds most of the features of the Strato Pi Base server, but in a 2-modules DIN-rail case. It is compatible with all versions of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module
Tomi Engdahl says:
Thinking About Making Your Own Raspberry Pi Compute Module Carrier Board?
Now you have a place to start.
https://blog.hackster.io/thinking-about-making-your-own-raspberry-pi-compute-module-carrier-board-c72ee2a2c3db
At the start of the week we saw the release of a new Raspberry Pi Compute Module. Although it has made inroads in the industrial market, with some exceptions, we haven’t seen much adoption of the Compute Module in the maker community.
Design Your Own Raspberry Pi Compute Module PCB
https://www.instructables.com/id/Design-Your-Own-Raspberry-Pi-Compute-Module-PCB/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Base board for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module
https://github.com/magkopian/raspberry-pi-compute-module-base-board
These are the design files for a circuit board intended to be used as a base for other custom PCB designs that make use of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module.
If you want to design a custom PCB based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module but you have never done it before, this project can serve as a starting point. The board is designed on KiCAD which is an open source and cross-platform EDA software, in order to allow as many people as possible to take advantage of it.
Raspberry Pi Compute Module Base Board
Copyright (C) 2018 Manolis Agkopian
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Balena Introduces DIN-Capable Pi Compute Module Carrier Board
https://hackaday.com/2019/03/01/balena-introduces-din-capable-pi-compute-module-carrier-board/
Although you don’t hear about it very much over the clamor of emulating old video game systems, one of the biggest uses of the Raspberry Pi outside its educational roots is in industry. The Pi makes for a great industrial control system, and if you mount it to a DIN rail, you’re golden. This is the biggest reason the Pi foundation is still making the Pi 1, and it’s one of the big motivations behind the Pi Compute Module.
Now that the Pi Compute Module 3 and 3+ have been out for a while, it’s only fitting that these modules get a great carrier board. The balenaFin 1.1 is out now, and it’s the perfect carrier board for the Pi compute module.
https://www.balena.io/blog/announcing-balenafin-v1-1/
Tomi Engdahl says:
Carrier board for the Raspberry Pi Compute Module
https://hackaday.io/project/165108-carrier-board-for-the-raspberry-pi-compute-module
This is a carrier board for the Raspberry Pi compute module. Inspired by the StereoPi project and the official carrier board for the module.
Tomi Engdahl says:
8086 Consultancy Launches ClusterCTRL Single USB Gadget Carrier for Raspberry Pi Compute Modules
https://www.hackster.io/news/8086-consultancy-launches-clusterctrl-single-usb-gadget-carrier-for-raspberry-pi-compute-modules-b68657c6df97
This smart, low-cost carrier board turns any Raspberry Pi Compute Module into a USB Gadget — complete with support for the ClusterCTRL software.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://shop.vadelmapii.com/2020/08/21/raspberry-pi-compute-module/
Tomi Engdahl says:
With the same core hardware as the popular Raspberry Pi 4 Model B single-board computer, and now providing high-speed PCI Express Gen. 2 connectivity to peripherals, is the Compute Module 4 — and its cost-reduced Lite stablemate — the new go-to SOM?
Hands-On with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and Compute Module 4 Lite
https://www.hackster.io/news/hands-on-with-the-raspberry-pi-compute-module-4-and-compute-module-4-lite-827bb3293ee9?f=1
Packing the same BCM2711C0 SoC as the full-size Raspberry Pi 4, are these system-on-modules the new must-have gadgets?
Two years after launching the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3+, and four years after the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3, the Raspberry Pi Foundation has a new system-on-module (SOM) — but while it offers considerably boosted performance, it does away with backwards compatibility for existing carrier boards.
The Compute Module 4, then, should not surprise: It’s a system-on-module built on the Broadcom BCM2711C0, the same system-on-chip which powers the Raspberry Pi 4. Like the full-size Raspberry Pi 4, the four 64-bit Arm Cortex-A72 cores are clocked at 1.5GHz — with no sign of the same clock-speed reduction as the Compute Module 3+ — and buyers have a choice of 1GB, 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Gumstix Launches an Adapter to Pack Raspberry Pi’s New Compute Module 4 Into Older Carrier Boards
https://www.hackster.io/news/gumstix-launches-an-adapter-to-pack-raspberry-pi-s-new-compute-module-4-into-older-carrier-boards-802a2d928600
Part of a new family of carrier boards, the Uprev adapter turns the CM4 into a drop-in upgrade — and comes with an optional Edge TPU.
Embedded compute specialist Gumstix has become the first out of the gate with a solution to the newly-launched Raspberry Pi Compute Module’s biggest drawback: Its inability to be installed as a drop-in upgrade for earlier Compute Module carrier boards.
Launched this morning, the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 family brings the high-performance system-on-chip at the heart of the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B single-board computer to a system-on-module format — but it does so with a new form factor, meaning it’s not compatible with carrier boards designed for the Compute Module 3+ and earlier.
Gumstix’ solution: The Raspberry Pi CM4 Uprev, an adapter board which hosts a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 of any type and breaks its two 100-pin high-density connectors out onto a 200-pin SODIMM edge connector compatible with the old Compute Module pin-out.
Full details on all the boards, which start at $30 for the basic Uprev adapter, can be found on the Gumstix website.
https://store.gumstix.com/manufacturer/raspberry-pi.html
Tomi Engdahl says:
NEW RASPBERRY PI 4 COMPUTE MODULE: SO LONG SO-DIMM, HELLO PCIE!
https://hackaday.com/2020/10/19/new-raspberry-pi-4-compute-module-so-long-so-dimm-hello-pcie/
The brand new Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) was just released! Surprised? Nope, and we’re not either — the Raspberry Pi Foundation had hinted that it was going to release a compute module for the 4-series for a long while.
The form factor got a total overhaul, but there’s bigger changes in this little beastie than are visible at first glance, and we’re going to walk you through most of them. The foremost bonuses are the easy implementation of PCIe and NVMe, making it possible to get data in and out of SSDs ridiculously fast. Combined with optional WiFi/Bluetooth and easily designed Gigabit Ethernet, the CM4 is a connectivity monster.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2020/10/19/new-raspberry-pi-4-compute-module-so-long-so-dimm-hello-pcie/
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 Review
http://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2020/raspberry-pi-compute-module-4-review
Six years ago, the Raspberry Pi Foundation introduced the Compute Module: a teensy-tiny version of the popular Raspberry Pi model B board.
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://etn.fi/index.php/13-news/11295-raspberry-pi-sai-lisaa-tehoa
Tomi Engdahl says:
With up to four Ethernet ports, the PiGWay could be perfect for home-brew routers and gateways — but lacks Compute Module 4 support.
PiGWay Turns a Raspberry Pi Compute Module Into a Two- or Four-Port IoT Gateway
https://www.hackster.io/news/pigway-turns-a-raspberry-pi-compute-module-into-a-two-or-four-port-iot-gateway-a8fe76287d0f
With up to four Ethernet ports, the PiGWay could be perfect for home-brew routers and gateways — but lacks Compute Module 4 support.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Radxa Gives Away Beta CM3 Boards as Drop-In 2GHz Upgrades for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 Projects
Offering four 2GHz Cortex-A55 cores and a neural network coprocessor, this new board could be a tempting upgrade for CM4 projects.
https://www.hackster.io/news/radxa-gives-away-beta-cm3-boards-as-drop-in-2ghz-upgrades-for-raspberry-pi-compute-module-4-projects-2450ef972776
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/04/08/its-almost-a-new-raspberry-pi-compute-module-4-but-not-quite/
The Raspberry Pi Compute Module has been part of the range since the early days, and in its earlier versions took a SODIMM form factor. The last SODIMM Compute Module had a Pi 3 processor, and this unexpected new model is reported as having a very similar hardware specification but featuring the Pi 4 processor. It seems that the chip shortage has affected supplies of the earlier SoC, and to keep their many industrial customers for the SODIMM Compute Modules in business they’ve had to produce this upgrade. As yet it’s not surfaced for sale on its own and there’s a possibility it will stay only in the realm of industrial boards, but as the story develops there’s a Raspberry Pi forum topic about it for the latest and you can find the pertinent info in the video below the break.
Tomi Engdahl says:
The Fast New Banana Pi BPI-CM4 Is Set to Offer Drop-In Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 Compatibility
Designed to offer higher performance than the official system-on-module, the BPI-CM4 is a direct replacement — almost.
https://www.hackster.io/news/the-fast-new-banana-pi-bpi-cm4-is-set-to-offer-drop-in-raspberry-pi-compute-module-4-compatibility-8bf7d67ef30f
Tomi Engdahl says:
Turing Pi 2: The Low Power Cluster
https://hackaday.com/2022/06/16/turing-pi-2-the-low-power-cluster/
We’re not in the habit of recommending Kickstarter projects here at Hackaday, but when prototype hardware shows up on our desk, we just can’t help but play with it and write it up for the readers. And that is exactly where we find ourselves with the Turing Pi 2. You may be familiar with the original Turing Pi, the carrier board that runs seven Raspberry Pi Compute boards at once. That one supports the Compute versions 1 and 3, but a new design was clearly needed for the Compute Module 4. Not content with just supporting the CM4, the developers at Turing Machines have designed a 4-slot carrier board based on the NVIDIA Jetson pinout. The entire line of Jetson devices are supported, and a simple adapter makes the CM4 work. There’s even a brand new module planned around the RK3588, which should be quite impressive.
One of the design decisions of the TP2 is to use the mini-ITX form-factor and 24-pin ATX power connection, giving us the option to install the TP2 in a small computer case.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/turingpi/turing-pi-cluster-board
Run up to 4 Raspberry Pi, Nvidia Jetson and Turing RK1 compute modules together. Build a homelab, learn Kubernetes, self-host apps.
Run up to 4 Raspberry Pi, Nvidia Jetson and Turing RK1 compute modules together. Build a homelab, learn Kubernetes, self-host apps.
Tomi Engdahl says:
Clockwork Pi’s Retro-Portable DevTerm Gets a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 SOM Adapter Option
The DevTerm now boasts five SOM family options — including the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and an in-house RISC-V design.
https://www.hackster.io/news/clockwork-pi-s-retro-portable-devterm-gets-a-raspberry-pi-compute-module-4-som-adapter-option-8921ee6d3e66
Tomi Engdahl says:
Design Your CM4 Carrier With WiFi Performance In Mind
https://hackaday.com/2022/06/27/design-your-cm4-carrier-with-wifi-performance-in-mind/
The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 has a built-in WiFi antenna, but that doesn’t mean it will work well for you – the physical properties of the carrier board impact your signal quality, too. [Avian] decided to do a straightforward test – measuring WiFi RSSI changes and throughput with a few different carrier boards. It appears that the carriers he used were proprietary, but [Avian] provides sketches of how the CM4 is positioned on these.
There’s two recommendations for making WiFi work well on the CM4 – placing the module’s WiFi antenna at your carrier PCB’s edge, and adding a ground cutout of a specified size under the antenna. [Avian] made tests with three configurations in total – the CMIO4 official carrier board which adheres to both of these rules, carrier board A which adheres to neither, and carrier board B which seems to be a copy of board A with a ground cutout added.
https://www.tablix.org/~avian/blog/archives/2022/03/effect_of_ground_cutout_on_the_cm4_antenna/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/06/27/design-your-cm4-carrier-with-wifi-performance-in-mind/
Tomi Engdahl says:
https://hackaday.com/2022/06/27/hackaday-prize-2022-a-cm4-upgade-for-your-old-ipad/
Tomi Engdahl says:
SO-DIMM-ESP32-S2-CM
ESP32-S2 based Module as drop-in replacement for Raspberry Pi’s Compute Modules
https://hackaday.io/project/189526-so-dimm-esp32-s2-cm
Tomi Engdahl says:
Raspberry Pi has announced new variants of the Compute Module 4S, designed for backwards compatibility with carrier boards designed for the earlier Compute Module 3/3+ — offering up to eight times the RAM of the original models.
Raspberry Pi Expands Its Backwards-Compatible Compute Module 4S Family, Adds More RAM
The original 1GB computer-on-module model is joined by new 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB variants, available only in boxes of 200.
https://www.hackster.io/news/raspberry-pi-expands-its-backwards-compatible-compute-module-4s-family-adds-more-ram-b9003cd1ff79?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3pLUTpp33k9ysCLqjAyiNoSThraLH3xVrxqCzL9fXw8i2wo9M-r5Dudio_aem_AWIbN45gpTo5oA2MpkL_ahDlJR0tnlI-24lotf1TOpQm4fTvaMEoSqR3H_TyeueBdLGruEry_ibogghmx4499thw
Tomi Engdahl says:
Scientists want to replace electrons with so-called ‘nanobubbles’ — or skyrmions — to store data more densely and efficiently in advanced memory components that would replace RAM and flash storage.
https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/weird-magnetic-quasiparticle-could-be-used-as-a-new-type-of-bit-in-advanced-computing-systems-scientists-find?utm_content=livescience&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0R_4UG9oQJ3-BMFWyDUJ4spF_Ygt2J72tyF9J3DnZwZIq7xOKGZ5afbec_aem_AWKRsplg3ic7mrp3QUsD33HhcgKxWMUrQKjTuMelOQr0_ZCV3GWUjguaXA4iQifa1WgJuvFxh7y59DLIIxi0_o2W