DFRobot PiTray Mini For Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 Mini CM4 Carrier Board With Gigabit Ethernet Single USB 2.0, HDMI 2.0, And Standard HAT Connectors  

The PiTray mini presents itself as a meticulously designed carrier board, mirroring the familiar form factor and mounting compatibility of the Raspberry Pi Model B. Its primary purpose is to facilitate the creation of efficient and cost-effective Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) clusters. Recognizing the growing adoption of CM4 in industrial settings, the PiTray mini leverages the module's inherent advantages. Notably, CM4 variants equipped with eMMC storage promise enhanced reliability and faster disk I/O performance, a significant boon for both standalone deployments and clustered configurations. Furthermore, the availability of CM4 models devoid of integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities allows cluster builders to optimize energy consumption and dedicate more computing resources by disabling these unused modules at the operating system level. The PiTray mini delivers on the fundamental requirements of cluster construction by offering a streamlined layout that ensures secure module mounting alongside robust power delivery and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.

Beyond its cluster-centric design, the PiTray mini serves as an excellent entry point for users exploring the capabilities of the CM4. For CM4 modules featuring eMMC, an integrated eMMC boot switch dramatically simplifies the process of flashing operating system images, eliminating the complexities of manual pin configuration. Additionally, a micro SD card socket is included to accommodate CM4 Lite variants, which lack onboard eMMC and rely on external storage.

To achieve its compact, business card-sized footprint, the PiTray mini strategically omits features less commonly utilized in cluster environments, such as DSI and CSI connectors, audio jacks, dual micro HDMI ports, and a USB 3.0 hub. Instead, it retains essential connectivity options directly supported by the CM4, including a single USB 2.0 port, a full-size HDMI port, and HAT connectors. This judicious selection of features ensures that the PiTray mini remains a cost-effective yet capable solution, offering a familiar experience akin to the Raspberry Pi Model B for home theater PC enthusiasts, retro gaming aficionados, and most everyday Raspberry Pi users.

Specifications:

• Item Type: Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4
• Input Power: +5v
• Mounting holes: CM4

Features:

• The most economical carrier board for creating Raspberry Pi CM4 clusters.
• Enables energy-efficient cluster deployments by supporting CM4 variants without wireless modules.
• Designed to work seamlessly with all Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 variants.
• Features a convenient boot switch for easy OS image programming on eMMC-equipped CM4s.
• It shares a footprint similar to the Raspberry Pi IO board and fits in many existing cases.

Product Interface:

Projects:

Project 1:  Raspberry Pi CM4 Boards and PiTray mini

Documents:

Product wiki

Package Included:

1 x DFRobot PiTray Mini For Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4