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Raspberry PI 2 or Compute module

balearicdynamics

Unfortunately this is not a tutorial nor a specific question; I'd like start a discussion to all the users that are interested and those that - hopefully - has a minimum of experience on the use of the Raspberry PI compute module.

 

My starting point, as far as I know and read here and there in the documentation is a bit confusing and can be synthesised as follows:

 

  • The compute module is the "core" of a raspberry PI, probably equivalent to a B+ 512 Mb Ram and in the DIMM memory size it includes ... just only the processor and the flash memory + RAM
  • There is a very good kit that can host the computer module exposing all the GPIO, interfaces, camera, display etc. But the resulting price, without the ethernet connection and a couple of other secondary components, is about the double of a Raspberry PI2 (that is the next PI version, faster, more memory etc.
  • Any customer can develop its own I/O board saving money, but the Computer module alone is not sold. So the only possibility is to buy the entire kit
  • It is presented like the "pro" version of the Raspberry PI for industrial applications and more sophisticated embedded developments, but has less things and my perception is that is less flexible.
  • In some documents it is explained that it can be designed to support pre-built cstomer programs developed under Linux all flashed on the module, but in some other documentation are mentioned pay-per-license operating systems.

 

These are only some of the incongruences that it seems emerging from the first view comparison. In a project I am working with I though about the computer module as an alternative to the PI but to be honest I have a lot of perplexity.

 

I hope that someone explain me that I am totally wrong, I have not understood the basic principle and tell me what is the reason to make this choice creating a custom system running a bunch of specific applications. And also what can be the reason of a so high (double) price that makes this device IMHO absolutely not competitive respect the Raspberry PI 2.

 

Enrico

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  • IMO, the RPi 2 is so much more advanced there is no reason to go back to old versions of the hardware.  Unfortunately, the compute module is based on the old hardware.

     

    If space is an issue and you need several of the RPi in a single location, I have to question of the RPi is the correct solution.  I mean if you have 4 or 5 of them you might as well just use a real computer that is going to have much more capability than a dozen compute modules.  I think I if you need a couple compute modules in a small area that may be the way to go.  But anymore is just getting wasteful.

     

    If you need all the GPIO, there are ATMegas with tons of GPIO and use a fraction of the power.  Heck, the Ardunio mega has over 2 times the GPIO as a single compute module.  If all you need is GPIO, having a full fledged OS and everything to go with it is waste IMO.

  • in reply to screamingtiger

    Joey,

     

    there is a slight difference between Arduino with NO O.S. (it's a micro controller) and the SBC like the PI (or Gizmo2 or many other) that has an O.S.

     

    Then, if you have a project that for some reasons you need MORE than one RPI, this means that you need more than one computer, with its own boot, its own operating system and so on. That is you use a "big computer" with tons of GPIO, you need anyway - for the same application - use more than one. That needs a room instead of a case.

     

    Enrico

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  • in reply to screamingtiger

    Joey,

     

    there is a slight difference between Arduino with NO O.S. (it's a micro controller) and the SBC like the PI (or Gizmo2 or many other) that has an O.S.

     

    Then, if you have a project that for some reasons you need MORE than one RPI, this means that you need more than one computer, with its own boot, its own operating system and so on. That is you use a "big computer" with tons of GPIO, you need anyway - for the same application - use more than one. That needs a room instead of a case.

     

    Enrico

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