The Waveshare CM4 IO Board is a carrier for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, providing PCIe, dual HDMI, and extensive I/O.
What is CM4?
Compute Module 4 is a system-on-module version of Pi 4. No USB ports, no HDMI — just a compact board that plugs into a carrier board. The carrier provides all the connectors.
IO Board Specs
- 2x HDMI outputs, 2x CSI camera, 1x DSI display
- PCIe x1 slot for NVMe SSD or other cards
- Gigabit Ethernet, 2x USB 2.0
- 40-pin GPIO header (same as regular Pi)
- microSD slot (for CM4 Lite variants)
Setup
- Insert CM4 module into the dual 100-pin connectors.
- Connect peripherals (HDMI, Ethernet, USB).
- Flash OS via microSD or eMMC (using rpiboot).
PCIe Expansion
The PCIe x1 slot supports NVMe SSDs, SATA controllers, USB 3.0 cards, and other PCIe devices. Ideal for NAS builds and high-performance storage.
Projects
- Custom NAS with NVMe SSD
- Industrial controller with DIN rail case
- Dual-monitor kiosk system
- Machine vision with dual CSI cameras
- Custom router/firewall appliance
Frequently Asked Questions
CM4 vs regular Pi 4?
Same silicon, different form factor. CM4 is for custom/industrial designs. Pi 4 is for general use.
Need WiFi?
CM4 has WiFi-enabled variants. Or add a USB WiFi adapter.
PCIe speed?
Gen 2.0 x1 = 500 MB/s theoretical. Sufficient for NVMe SSD and most cards.
Industrial temperature range?
CM4 industrial variant operates at -20 to +85 degrees Celsius.
Conclusion
The CM4 IO Board unlocks the Compute Module for custom and industrial Pi deployments with maximum flexibility.
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