Compute Module 3 carrier board

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Dawilson123
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Compute Module 3 carrier board

Post by Dawilson123 » Sun Aug 04, 2019 12:16 pm

Hi,

I've checked and couldn't find anything about a custom carrier board for a compute module, however thought wouldn't it be useful for pi projects?

A very simple carrier board with input power pins, microsd slot, gpio pins, usb data pins, screen pins, etc in as small a footprint as practicable should be achievable and would enable projects to be easily upgradeable as future CMs are released.

Has this been done before?

I'm sure for people like Helder, Kite, Tinkerboy, this would be a doddle to design and sell relatively cheaply.

The CMs can be bought for cheap too.

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Re: Compute Module 3 carrier board

Post by VeteranGamer » Mon Aug 05, 2019 4:46 am

Dawilson123 wrote:
Sun Aug 04, 2019 12:16 pm
I'm sure for people like Helder, Kite, Tinkerboy, this would be a doddle to design and sell relatively cheaply.

The CMs can be bought for cheap too.
this is a pointless idea (IMHO).....

the CM3 is a useful board/module if used in conjunction with another PCB/Board/Project....
which will eliminate the need for a RPi3

a great example of this is Kite Circuit Sword
as his previous AIO board required the RPi to be stripped down a little to enable it to fit into the GB DMG shell
(and it makes the whole project/PCB/build look a lot more professional)



but it needs nearly everything added to it so that it can perform like a RPi3 (the module is bare bone)
USB
SD Card
WIFI
GPIO
HDMI
Power Management
(and more)


its not financially worth pursuing such a board (well NOT at a price point that is attractive)....
(especially as your already stating that everything should be done/produced cheaply :roll: ) ....
as the end result will end up about the same size as a RPi3 if not bigger and with less functionality
and most probably cost the same (probably more) as a RPi3, definitely more when including in the CM3 module


but if you fancy something like a CM3 expansion board....
then have a look at this...


https://geekworm.com/products/raspberry ... e-3-3-lite

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3289736 ... b201603_53



https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/processo ... s/1232011/

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/processo ... lsrc=aw.ds




just MHO




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Dawilson123
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Re: Compute Module 3 carrier board

Post by Dawilson123 » Mon Aug 05, 2019 11:38 am

VeteranGamer wrote:
Mon Aug 05, 2019 4:46 am
Dawilson123 wrote:
Sun Aug 04, 2019 12:16 pm
I'm sure for people like Helder, Kite, Tinkerboy, this would be a doddle to design and sell relatively cheaply.

The CMs can be bought for cheap too.
this is a pointless idea (IMHO).....

the CM3 is a useful board/module if used in conjunction with another PCB/Board/Project....
which will eliminate the need for a RPi3

a great example of this is Kite Circuit Sword
as his previous AIO board required the RPi to be stripped down a little to enable it to fit into the GB DMG shell
(and it makes the whole project/PCB/build look a lot more professional)



but it needs nearly everything added to it so that it can perform like a RPi3 (the module is bare bone)
USB
SD Card
WIFI
GPIO
HDMI
Power Management
(and more)


its not financially worth pursuing such a board (well NOT at a price point that is attractive)....
(especially as your already stating that everything should be done/produced cheaply :roll: ) ....
as the end result will end up about the same size as a RPi3 if not bigger and with less functionality
and most probably cost the same (probably more) as a RPi3, definitely more when including in the CM3 module


but if you fancy something like a CM3 expansion board....
then have a look at this...


https://geekworm.com/products/raspberry ... e-3-3-lite

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3289736 ... b201603_53



https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/processo ... s/1232011/

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/processo ... lsrc=aw.ds




just MHO




.
I appreciate your post and opinion but I think you misunderstand.

The point is to make it easily upgradeable at a price point not significantly different to that of the full-fat pi. I.e. pi costs £30, carrier board and compute module £50/60. Even if it cost double, it's a drop in upgrade, assuming the raspberry pi foundation keep the same form factor for future CMs and notwithstanding any software complications. Basically you dont need to tear your gameboy apart to fit in the latest pi.

I also understand that Kite does a kit but my other point was that the above would offer freedom to other projects and not just Gameboy emulators.

Guess it's not a good idea though...

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Re: Compute Module 3 carrier board

Post by VeteranGamer » Mon Aug 05, 2019 12:56 pm

Dawilson123 wrote:
Mon Aug 05, 2019 11:38 am
assuming the raspberry pi foundation keep the same form factor for future CMs and notwithstanding any software complications.

personally i prefer NOT to assume and go on the facts that are available.....

the CM3 module has its own requirements.....
the CM3+ was possible to fit into/swap into CM3 builds....


the form factor will most definitely be the same (standard SODIMM form factor), they could change it... but theres no reason to...

but the RPi4 already has different requirements/features to that of RPi3

power requirements being one of them....
as well as the other features....

which will most probably/definitely wont have been incorporated into older CM3 boards
(meaning parts/components may have to be changed, for it to be a drop/swap in)


the issue (which makes it a pointless exercise) is that components have to be added to any expansion board for the Compute Module to function and possibly could be specific to each version (some components will carry over, some just might not)....

this includes things like
how it gets power (and how much)
how it receives/sends data
also including WIFI as well as others things/features.....


these will change from version to version (just based on all the previous releases)
meaning upgrading isn't as straight forward as just unplugging/removing and connecting the upgrade




I never misunderstood.....
I get what your asking for (that's why I linked the products that are already available out there, these are your best bets).....

the reason i call it a pointless idea....
financially its NOT worth releasing a product like that (for the time/effort or how many people would by it) .....
how many of the other products (the ones I've linked) have you ever seen in a build (never)

if you think something like an expansion board is gonna cost or be sold for $30 (after someone put all the time/effort into it).....
then just buy the one linked (its exactly what your looking for)

https://geekworm.com/products/raspberry ... e-3-3-lite


the best option is always to incorporate the CM3 (or similar) into a AIO PCB design specific to a certain project.....
failing that....

its pointless trying to make a generic board, that someone might wanna use in a build when its cheaper to use RPi3...
(how much more will you benefit from a upgrade... what being able to play N64 a little more smoother)...



Just MHO





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