Kontron Pi-Tron CM4 mini PC leverages Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 for industrial applications

Kontron Pi-Tron CM4 is a single-board computer and mini PC based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module with a Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor, up to 8GB RAM, up to 32GB eMMC flash, HDMI video output, two Ethernet ports, optional WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and an M.2 slot for AI or wireless expansion.

Designed for industrial applications, the Pi-Tron CM4 is also equipped with RS232, RS485/CAN FD bus, and GPIO terminal blocks, supports 24V input voltage, and is optionally sold as AL Pi-Tron CM4 in a housing suited for challenging environments.

Kontron Pi-Tron CM4 specifications:

SoM – Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor @1.5 GHz, VideoCore VI GPU, H.265 (HEVC) up to 4Kp60 decode, 1080p30 encode, up to 8GB LPDDR4, up to 32GB eMMC flash
Storage – MicroSD card socket (only for Raspberry Pi CM4 Lite module)
Display I/F
- HDMI 2.0 up to 4Kp60
- 2-lane MIPI DSI interface (up to 1 Gbit/s per lane)
- LVDS via adapter board (through HDMI to LVDS bridge)
- Touschscreen via I2C or USB
Camera I/F – 2-lane MIPI CSI Camera Interface
Networking
- 1x Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
- 1x 10/100M Ethernet RJ45 port
- Optional WLAN/Bluetooth; 2.4 GHz/5.0 GHz IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac WiFi 6 (on SoM)
USB – 2x USB 2.0 Host port, 1x Micro 2.0 OTG port used to program the eMMC flash
I/Os
- 28x GPIO with support for up to 5x UART, 5x I2C, 5x SPI, 2x PWM, 1x SDIO (4 Bit)
- 2x DIO (24 V/up to 800 mA)
- 1x RS232, 1x RS485 (Modbus capable)
- 1x CAN 2.0 FD
- 40-pin GPIO header (unclear whether it is separate from the 28x GPIO listed above or the same)
Expansion – M.2 B-Key 2242/3042 socket with PCIe x1 (Gen2), USB 2.0, I2C
Misc – RTC + CR1120 battery
Power Supply – 24V DC ±20 % via 2-pin terminal block
Dimensions
- SBC: 105.5 x 69.6mm
- mini PC: 111 x 76 x 25mm (supports 35 mm mounting rail)
Temperature Range – 0°C … +55°C

The Pi-Tron CM4 is an upgrade to the company’s earlier Pi-Tron CM3+ based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3B+, and besides the much higher performance and memory capacity (1GB vs up to 8GB RAM), the new SBC/mini PC features Gigabit Ethernet, the CAN bus gets FD support, HDMI support up to 4Kp60 instead of just Full HD @ 30 fps, and more details that you can find in the comparison between the two models.

The main use cases for the M.2 Key-B socket appear to be AI acceleration using either Hailo-8 AI modules or the Google Coral AI Edge TPU, and cellular 4G LTE modules with SIM cards and an external antenna connection. On the software side, the company only mentions Raspbian (Raspberry Pi OS) which will not be preinstalled on the modules. Specific use cases for the Pi-Tron CM4 include human-machine interface (HMI) to industrial communication, M2M (machine-to-machine) gateways, automation, POS/POI displays, infotainment/entertainment, and portable systems.

Kontron did not provide availability or pricing information for the board or mini PC, but considering we’re only shown renders, I suspect Pi-Tron CM4 is not available yet, and availability may also depend on when the company can source Raspberry Pi CM4 modules (and other components). More details may be found on the product page and announcement.

Via LinuxGizmos

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

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.