Sfera Labs has recently introduced two new Pi Max DIN rail industrial controllers – the Strato Pi Max XS and Strato Pi Max XL configured with a Raspberry Pi CM4 or the Zymbit Secure Compute Module (SCM). Both have options for different RAM and eMMC flash configurations and can come with or without wireless connectivity.
The module also features a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller that manages tasks such as power management and boot sequence control. Additionally, it enables connections to the CM4 module through I²C, USB, and UART.
Strato Pi Max industrial controller specification
- Base Module – Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 or Zymbit SCM options.
- Microcontroller – Raspberry RP2040 dual ARM Cortex-M0+ at 133 MHz.
- Storage – eMMC, microSD (dual for XL), M.2 PCIe SSD.
- Connectivity – Wi-Fi, BLE, dual Ethernet ports (GbE and 100MbE).
- USB – 2x USB 2.0 ports with power control and fault detection.
- Sensors – 3-axis accelerometer.
- Cooling – Internal fan with configurable activation.
- Clock – Real-time clock with TCXO and backup battery.
- Security – Microchip ATECC608 chip.
- UI – Configurable LEDs, push-button, piezoelectric buzzer.
- Expansion Capability
- Pi Max XS – 1x internal expansion slot for optional expansion boards.
- Pi Max XL – 4x internal expansion slots for more extensive expansion capabilities.
- Watchdog and Power Management – Hardware watchdog capable of performing a full power cycle and managing the boot sequence for reliability.
- Power – 10-50 V DC supply with protection and 3.3 A fuse.
- Mounting – Compact DIN rail case for easy integration into industrial setups. The XS model comes in a 6-module case size, while the XL is housed in a 9-module case.
The main difference between the XS and XL modules is that the XL supports four additional expansion modules whereas the XS is designed with the core features in mind.
Speaking about expansion modules, the company has released optional modules to enhance the capabilities of the Strato Pi Max industrial controller. These include the X2-Series Digital I/O, UPS, CAN and Dual RS-485, RS-232, and RS-485 Expansion Boards, as well as the Swissbit Industrial SSD.
The controller includes a 10-50 VDC power supply with protection, internal cooling, temperature sensors, a precise real-time clock with backup, a 3-axis accelerometer, and a variable pitch buzzer. It’s not the first DIN Rail controller based on Raspberry Pi CM4 we’ve covered as companies such as EDATEC and Techbase also offer some models.
The starting price for the Strato Pi Max XS module, featuring 2GB of RAM and 16GB of eMMC, is €425.00 ($459). The version with the full features, including the wireless module, is priced at €959.00($1036). For the Strato Pi Max XL, the base model with CM4 Wireless, 2GB RAM, and 16GB eMMC starts at €525.00 ($567), with the fully equipped version reaching €1,085.00 ($1,172). Expansion boards range in price from €85.00 ($92) to €150.00 ($162). Currently, all these items are available for backorder and are expected to be available in June 2024. More information on the topic can be found on their products page or in the press release.
Debashis Das is a technical content writer and embedded engineer with over five years of experience in the industry. With expertise in Embedded C, PCB Design, and SEO optimization, he effectively blends difficult technical topics with clear communication
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