Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 IO Board

Specifications

• Module Support: Compatible with all Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5) variants (Lite, eMMC, Wireless).
• Video Output: 2 × Full-size HDMI 2.0 ports (supports dual 4K output).

      Connectivity:

• 1 × Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 (with PoE header capability).
• 2 × USB 3.0 Type-A ports.
• 1 × USB 2.0 header (internal).

      Expansion & Storage:

• PCIe Interface: 1 × PCIe M.2 M-Key slot (supports NVMe SSDs or AI Accelerators).
• microSD Slot: For booting CM5 Lite variants.

      Camera/Display:

• 2 × MIPI CSI-2 (Camera) connectors.
• 2 × MIPI DSI (Display) connectors.
• Power Input: 12V DC via standard Barrel Jack (5.5mm x 2.1mm).
• Peripherals: Standard 40-pin GPIO header, RTC Battery holder, PWM Fan connector.
• Dimensions: 160mm × 90mm (Standard IO Board form factor).

Applications & Projects

• Industrial Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) The CM5 IO Board is ideal for building robust industrial controllers. With dual 4K HDMI outputs, you can drive a high-resolution control panel and a secondary status monitor simultaneously. The 12V input range makes it easier to integrate into standard industrial power cabinets compared to 5V USB-powered boards.
• Use Case: Factory floor data visualization and touch-panel machine control.
• Edge AI & Computer Vision Workstations Leverage the PCIe M.2 slot to attach powerful AI accelerators like the Hailo-8 or Google Coral M.2 module. Combined with the dual MIPI CSI-2 camera ports, this board becomes a powerhouse for real-time object detection, license plate recognition, or manufacturing quality control (AOI) without bogging down the main CPU.
• High-Speed Network Attached Storage (NAS) Break free from USB speeds. By connecting an NVMe SSD to the PCIe 2.0/3.0 lane, you can build a compact, high-performance NAS. The Gigabit Ethernet port ensures fast file transfers, making it a perfect low-power home server or local backup solution for sensitive data.

Project Evolution

      From Pi 5 SBC to Embedded Master

• Prerequisites: You have likely maxed out the physical constraints of a standard Raspberry Pi 5 or need a form factor that fits a specific enclosure.
• The Upgrade: This IO Board allows you to prototype systems that require direct PCIe access for high-speed storage or AI accelerators (like Hailo-8) without the bottleneck of USB bridges. It also lets you test dual-camera setups using the dedicated CSI lanes before designing your own custom carrier board.
• Effort Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Requires knowledge of flashing Compute Modules and managing 12V power systems.

Cirtual Technician & Safety Guide

• Power Warning ⚠️: Unlike the standard Raspberry Pi 5 which uses USB-C (5V), this IO Board requires a 12V DC Power Supply via the barrel jack. Connecting a 5V supply will not power the PCIe peripherals correctly.
• Jumper Settings: Ensure the J2 jumper is set correctly if you are booting from eMMC vs. microSD/USB.
• PCIe Logic: The M.2 slot supports Gen 2.0 speeds by default but can often handle Gen 3.0. Verify signal integrity if you are designing custom extenders.

Package Includes:

• 1 x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 IO Board

Frequently Asked Questions (Technical FAQ)

• Can I use a Raspberry Pi CM4 with the CM5 IO Board?
  No, the CM5 IO Board is not backward compatible with the CM4 because the inter-board connector density and pinout mapping are different.
• Does the CM5 IO Board come with the Compute Module?
  No, this is a carrier board only. You must purchase a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5) separately.
• What power supply do I need for the CM5 IO Board?
  It requires a 12V DC power supply (minimum 2A/24W) via the standard 5.5mm × 2.1mm barrel jack. Do not use a 5V USB-C supply.
• Can I power the board using the GPIO pins?
  While technically possible to inject power via GPIO, it bypasses input protection fuses. We strongly recommend using the 12V barrel jack for safety.
• Does this board support NVMe SSDs natively?
  Yes, it features a standard PCIe M.2 M-Key slot that supports NVMe SSDs for high-speed storage.
• Can I boot the CM5 directly from the NVMe SSD?
  Yes, the CM5 bootloader can be configured to boot directly from an NVMe drive installed in the IO board's M.2 slot.
• How do I flash the eMMC storage on the CM5 using this board?
  Connect the IO Board to a PC via the micro-USB "Slave" port (J15) and use the rpiboot utility to mount the eMMC as a drive.
• Does the PCIe slot support WiFi or 5G modems?
  Yes, as long as the module uses the PCIe interface. Some modems may require USB routing, so check the modem's datasheet against the slot's pinout.
• Is the Ethernet port capable of Power over Ethernet (PoE)?
  The port has PoE pins broken out, but you need an additional PoE HAT (connected to the 4-pin PoE header) to power the board via Ethernet.
• Does the board require a cooling fan?
  For heavy workloads, yes. The board has a standard 4-pin PWM fan header (J20) to control a cooling fan for the CM5.
• Can I use dual 4K monitors with this board?
  Yes, the board exposes both HDMI 2.0 ports from the CM5, supporting dual 4K display output simultaneously.
• Why does my microSD card not work?
  The microSD slot is only active if you are using a CM5 Lite module. If you use a CM5 with built-in eMMC, the microSD slot is automatically disabled.
• What is the purpose of the RTC battery holder?
  It holds a CR2032 coin cell battery to keep the Real-Time Clock (RTC) running when the main power is disconnected, ensuring accurate timekeeping.
• Are the Camera (CSI) and Display (DSI) ports the same as Raspberry Pi 5?
  They use the same high-density FPC connectors (22-pin 0.5mm pitch). You may need adapter cables to use older 15-pin camera modules.
• Does the board support dual cameras?
  Yes, it breaks out two independent 4-lane MIPI CSI-2 camera interfaces, allowing for stereoscopic or multi-camera setups.
• Is there a standard 40-pin GPIO header?
  Yes, the standard HAT-compatible 40-pin GPIO header is present and works just like a standard Raspberry Pi.
• What is the maximum current the USB ports can supply?
  The USB 3.0 ports adhere to the standard 900mA limit, but the total budget depends on your 12V power supply's capacity.
• Do I need to install special drivers for the IO Board?
  No, the latest Raspberry Pi OS (Bookworm or newer) automatically detects the hardware when a CM5 is plugged in.
• Can I use this board inside a standard PC case?
  It is not a standard ITX form factor, so it won't fit standard PC standoffs without modification or a custom mounting plate.
• How do I enable the external antenna?
  The antenna selection is handled on the CM5 module itself (via software config.txt or a hardware resistor change), not by the IO board.