Note: This page offers a few options for NANO Base (A) Board board and kits CM4, please choose the preferred option:
Note: For the kit/s, an UK plug (Type G) power adapter is included, it is suitable for Malaysia and Singapore.
Note: The Official Power Supply Unit (PSU) will be either Black or White depending on availability.
Nano Base (A) Board For CM4
This is the basic baseboard for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, it supports both the Lite version (without onboard eMMC) and with eMMC of CM4. Not to forget the wireless and non-wireless versions of CM4, yet we DO NOT recommend using it with a non-wireless version as the baseboard DOES NOT come with an Ethernet port, it might be not easy to access into the OS.
Same Size As The CM4
Standard CM4 Socket, With Multiple Peripheral Interfaces, Suitable For Narrow Application Environments.
Note: The 40-pin GPIO Headers are not pre-soldered out of the box.
What's On Board
- CM4 socket: Suitable for all variants of Compute Module 4, for stacking CM4
- Power supply / Programming: 5V power supply, or used for eMMC burning
- Micro SD card slot: For connecting a Micro SD card with a pre-burnt image (Lite variant ONLY)
- CSI interface: 1 × MIPI CSI camera interface
- USB2.0 interface: For connecting sorts of USB devices
- 40-PIN GPIO Pads: Suitable for connecting to various HAT modules, the 40-pin GPIO headers are included but NOT soldered out of the box
- PWR indicator: CM4 power status indicator LED
- ACT indicator: CM4 working status indicator LED
- AMS1117-3.3: 3.3VDC Linear Voltage Regulator
- BOOT slide switch:
- ON: Switch USB to Type C interface, will enter download mode when powered on (configured as a large-capacity disk through RPI boot)
- OFF: Switch USB to Type-A interface, will not enter download mode when powered on (booted from eMMC or Micro SD card)
Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4
Compute Module 4 is officially launched on 19th October 2020 with the same or better specs, and there are 32 variants of the module to choose from.
The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) and Compute Module 4 Lite (CM4Lite) are loosely based on the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. The CM4 has an option for cost-sensitive applications to be supplied without the eMMC fitted; this version is called the CM4Lite. The form factor of the new CM4 and CM4L is different from previous Compute modules, which have all shared a form factor. The change is due to the addition of new interfaces; a second HDMI, PCIe, and Ethernet. The addition of these new interfaces, especially PCIe, would not have been possible while preserving the older form factor. Instead, the electrical interface of the CM4 is via two 100-pin high-density connectors. While the switch to a newer form factor has allowed a reduction in the footprint. The total footprint of the CM4, including the socket, is smaller with the new form factor design.
The back of CM4. The electrical interface of the CM4 is via two 100-pin high-density connectors at the back of the PCB.
Here is the top view of CM4 with Wireless and no eMMC:
Compute Module 4 with built-in Wireless and no eMMC (will need external microSD to boot)
Since the CM4 Lite does not come with onboard eMMC, it will need an external microSD card that has a compatible OS image to boot up. So 1st thing after you get the Nano Base (A) board and a proper power supply, you will need a microSD card (at least 8GB) with a suitable OS image in it, we recommend using the official OS for Raspberry Pi, which is Raspberry Pi OS. Due to the default settings of the USB 2.0 on CM4 (USB2.0 is disabled by default to save power), you will need to edit the config.txt on the OS, so that is the reason we recommend a microSD card pre-loaded with the official operating system and a USB microSD card reader/writer.
A tiny and useful USB MicroSD Card Reader/Writer is included
The MakerDisk MicroSD card is tested and approved by Raspberry Pi Foundation. And it comes preloaded with the official Raspberry Pi OS. So it can boot up directly on the Nano Base (A) Board with CM4 Lite. If you want to load another OS, you can still do it using Raspberry Pi Imager which you can download from here. It is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Unbuntu and even the Raspberry Pi itself can also load OS images using Raspberry Pi Imager.
Anyway, by default, the USB 2.0 on CM4 is DISABLED in the Raspberry Pi OS, this is to save power. You will need to edit a file on the microSD card in order to enable the USB ports on the board. Else, the USB keyboard or mouse will not be able to function, so don't be surprised.
1. Insert the microSD card into the USB MicroSD card Reader/Writer, then plug the USB Reader/Writer into your computer USB port. Please DO NOT format any of the drives.
2. Goto the boot drive and open the config.txt using a plain text editor, e.g.: Notepad
3. Add this command line (from CM4 IO Board datasheet, page 5) into the config.txt file and save it:
dtoverlay=dwc2,dr_mode=host
4. Eject the drive from your computer again, and unplug the USB MicroSD card Reader.
5. Insert the MicroSD card into the Nano Base (A) Board's MicroSD Slot, and mount the CM4 Lite. Connect the USB device, HDMI Cable if there is any, and lastly the Power Adapter.
6. Continue your development :)
Of course, you can also check out these accessories in case you do not have one:
Warranty Period: 12 months
International
Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand
Vietnam
