The Raspberry Pi Computer Module 4 (CM4) may have been introduced in October, but that does not mean people have stopped all development on Raspberry Pi CM3/CM3+ hardware, and Waveshare has just launched a carrier board for the module with PoE support and a 4G LTE modem namely Simcom SIM7600G-H module with 3G and 2G fallback.
The board also offers Ethernet and WiFi connectivity, HDMI and MIPI CSI/DSI video interfaces, multiple USB ports, as well as isolated CAN bus, RS485, RS232, and other I/Os for industrial applications.
Compute Module PoE 4G board specifications:
- Storage – MicroSD card slot for Raspberry Pi CM3 Lite / CM3+ Lite modules
- Video Output – HDMI 2.0 port, MIPI DSI connector compatible with the official Raspberry Pi display
- Audio – 3.5mm stereo audio jack, 4-pin speaker connector for 8Ω/5W speaker
- Camera I/F – 2x independent MIPI CSI ports
- Connectivity
- 10/100M Ethernet RJ45 port with PoE support
- 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g/n WiFi 4
- 4G/3G/2G connectivity via Simcom SIM7600G-H and onboard SIM card
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 host ports, 1x micro USB 2.0 device port to flash the firmware to the Raspberry Pi module
- Industrial Isolated Interfaces
- 1x RS232 DB9 port with TVS protection, anti-surge, and ESD protection
- Screw terminal with
- 1x RS485 with 600W lightning-proof, anti-surge, and 15KV ESD protection; allows the use of a 120Ω terminal resistor
- 1x CAN with lightning-proof, and ESD protection; allows the use of a 120Ω terminal resistor
- 4x GPIOs with 2x isolated input, 2x isolated output
- 1x 16-bit ADC up to 860SPS
- Debugging – Micro USB TO UART
- Misc – DS3231 RTC + battery holder, 6x LEDs for PoE, 4G, power, and system status
- Power supply – DC 7~36V wide voltage range input
- Dimensions – 167.7 x 114mm
The carrier board ships with an aluminum alloy heatsink and corresponding screws, two antennas for 4G and WiFi, two thermal pads, a screwdriver, and a 12V/2A power adapter.
The Wiki has some hardware information, and it looks like the company also designed an enclosure, but it’s not clear whether it’s available right now. The new board and enclosure seem to be an evolution of the company’s earlier Compute Module PoE Board with the addition of the 4G LTE modem and isolated industrial interfaces.
The kit is available on Waveshare store for $119.99 plus shipping, or on Aliexpress for $142.99 with free shipping. Of course, you’ll need need to add your own CM3 / CM3+ module.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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I like the idea of these boards, I just wish they were not 5x+ the cost of the compute modules they are based on. At that price I might as well go for a purpose build system that has 4g
After having seen/priced those purpose builts…most of them have been trending to this price or more with the costs of CM3 included. I’m not quite sure where you’re looking, but…this is honestly not all that bad.
Too ‘spensive.
To the people commenting on “too expensive” for this stuff…you’ve gotten SPOILED on getting “cheap” boards. This is an industrial range part. At $115-145 it’s actually…heh…a bit cheap. I’m used to seeing 600 or so for a board like this one. (Seriously…)