The ModBerry 500 series from TECHBASE has long been a staple in the industrial IoT automation market, known for its reliability and versatility. The upcoming ModBerry 500 CM5, integrates the powerful Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5), bringing significant enhancements and maintaining compatibility with previous versions.
Compatibility with Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5
The ModBerry 500 series is fully compatible with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced performance. This compatibility allows users to leverage the advanced features of the CM5, including improved processing power and expanded memory options, while maintaining the robust and flexible platform that ModBerry users have come to rely on.
Advantages of the ModBerry 500 CM5 in IoT Automation
The ModBerry 500 series has established itself as a leading solution in the IoT automation market due to its reliability with proven track record in various industrial applications, ensuring consistent performance in harsh environments.
Huge versatility provided with a wide range of configurable hardware options to meet specific needs, including digital and analog I/Os, serial ports, and various communication interfaces. ModBerry 500 devices are easy to deploy with user-friendly setup and configuration, supported by a strong community and extensive documentation.
New Processor Features
The integration of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 brings several key enhancements:
Enhanced Processing Power: The CM5 features a powerful Cortex-A76 4×2.4GHz processor, providing faster and more efficient data processing capabilities
Increased Memory: Options for up to 16GB of LPDDR4x-4267 SDRAM, allowing for more complex applications and better multitasking
USB 3.0 Support: The addition of USB 3.0 ports significantly improves data transfer speeds, making it ideal for applications requiring high-speed connectivity
Benefits of the upgraded ModBerry 500 CM5
The previous ModBerry 500 CM4 has established its position on the market as a robust IoT platform. New CM5 version offers not only the same but improved capabilities, thanks to compatibility with the new processor unit.
High Performance: Powered by the quad-core Cortex-A76 processor, providing reliable performance for various industrial tasks with support of eMMC storage and M.2 NVMe SSD support
Rich I/O Interfaces: Including Gigabit Ethernet, digital and analog inputs/outputs, RS-232/RS-485 serial ports, and more
Wireless Communication: Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth, and optional 4G/LTE, 5G, Narrow-Band IoT, LoRa, Sigfox and other wireless communication modules
With the update to CM5, the ModBerry 500 series continues to build on these strengths, offering even greater performance and flexibility for industrial IoT applications. The ModBerry 500 CM5 represents a significant upgrade, combining the proven reliability and versatility of the ModBerry platform with the advanced features of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5.
The first pieces of devices are available for order. Contact our sales department via Chat at IIoT-Shop.com to obtain test pieces and receive a commercial offer for a larger order. It is also possible to upgrade previously purchased devices to the CM5 module, due to full compatibility with the earlier version of ModBerry CM4 (however cooling conversion is required). Technical datasheet for ModBerry 500 CM5 will be available on Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 official release.
Modbus is a communication protocol that is widely used in industrial automation systems. It was developed by Modicon (now Schneider Electric) in 1979 and is used to connect different devices and control systems in a network. Modbus is based on a master-slave architecture, where one device acts as the master and the other devices act as slaves. The master device sends requests to the slaves and the slaves respond with the requested information.
ModBerry is a device that uses the Modbus protocol to communicate with other devices in a network. It is a small computer that is based on the Raspberry Pi platform and it is designed to be used in industrial automation systems. The ModBerry device can be used as a master or a slave in a Modbus network and it can be used to connect different devices such as sensors, actuators, and controllers.
ModBerry advantages in the IoT market
One of the main advantages of using ModBerry is that it is a low-cost solution for industrial automation systems. It is also easy to use and it can be programmed using different languages such as Python, C++, and Java. Additionally, the ModBerry device is small and compact, which makes it easy to install in different environments. It also has a wide range of input and output options, such as digital inputs, digital outputs, analog inputs, and analog outputs, which makes it suitable for a variety of applications.
ModBerry can be used in various industrial applications such as building automation, energy management, and process control. For example, it can be used to monitor and control the temperature, humidity, and lighting in a building. In energy management, it can be used to monitor and control the consumption of electricity, gas, and water. In process control, it can be used to monitor and control the production process in a factory.
Another advantage of ModBerry is its flexibility and scalability. It can be easily integrated with other systems and devices, such as SCADA systems, PLCs, and IoT devices. This allows for a seamless integration of different systems and devices in a single network, which improves efficiency and reduces the complexity of the system.
ModBerry as a low-cost Modbus controller
In conclusion, Modbus is a widely used communication protocol in industrial automation systems and ModBerry is a low-cost, easy-to-use device that utilizes the Modbus protocol. It offers a wide range of input and output options and can be used in various industrial applications. Its flexibility and scalability make it a great solution for integrating different systems and devices in a single network.
IoT technology solves challenges of predictive maintenance by enabling real-time remote status monitoring. Instead of maintaining hardware monthly or every 11 quarters, companies can use IoT health monitoring for direct maintenance. Simple IoT devices can now monitor critical performance metrics in real time and send alerts when problems start.
Industrial IoT on the site
Traditionally, those types of failures were prevented by routine scheduled maintenance by specialized technicians. But as discussed earlier, scheduled maintenance is imperfect. Fear of equipment failure often drives businesses to set aggressive preventative maintenance schedules, which of course raises costs.
The cost of equipment failure tends to cascade. The failure of a single piece of machinery can bring an entire assembly line to a grinding halt. And for every hour that production has stopped, hundreds of thousands of dollars might be slipping out the door. That hiccup in production can also result in unfulfilled contracts, angry customers, and upheaval in your supply chain.
In fact, according to a recent paper from IBM, up to 70% of a company’s investment in preventative maintenance does not affect uptime metrics. This is due largely to the fact that only 11% of machine failures follow an age-degradation pattern. A whopping 89% occur at random.
New features of Edge TPU brought to ModBerry series
In October 2020, with the release of the latest Compute Module 4 from Rasbperry Pi Foundation, TECHBASE announced an upgraded device from ModBerry 500 series, called ModBerry 500 CM4. Thanks to the high-performance PCI-Express bus introduced in Compute Module 4 and Raspberry Pi community, the device itself presents support for a wide range of new applications, such as use of Google’s Artificial Intelligence modules at ease.
Therefore, TECHBASE designed a new device, called ModBerry AI GATEWAY 9500-CM4, utilizing the vertical format of ModBerry 9500, latest Compute Module 4 and Google’s Coral TPU. Installation-ready AI GATEWAY allows direct application in industrial fields.
AI GATEWAY with Coral TPU enhancement
Neuron network capabilities enhance CM4-based devices, not only collecting and sending data, but also allows local data change predictions and allows direct management on-site. This feature gives the possibility for various applications, such as data analysing and establishing trends predictions, smart alarms and smart monitoring, local notification control, etc.
Used Edge TPU coprocessor via PCI-Express bus is capable of performing 4 trillion operations per second (TOPS), using 0.5 watts for each TOPS (2 TOPS per watt). Google Coral easily integrates with Raspberry Pi Compute Module in Linux and optionally in Windows with full support of TensorFlow Lite framework and AutoML Vision Edge solution.
ModBerry AI GATEWAY 9500-CM4 series also offers a standard PCI module support for various wireless communication protocols, such as:
GSM modem (4G/LTE and fast 5G modem, interchangeable with Coral TPU)
economic NarrowBand-IoT technology
LoRa, ZigBee, Sigfox, Wireless M-Bus
secondary Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interface or Wi-Fi Hi-Power
custom wireless interfaces
ModBerry AI GATEWAY 9500-CM4 availability
First prototypes are being developed, since Compute Module 4 is already available for the purchase. Delivery time for various configurations of AI GATEWAY will be approximately 2 months, depending on the CM4 supply on the market and chosen expansion cards. For more information contact TECHBASE’s Sales Department via email or Live Chat here.
Microsoft announced Windows 11 with new system requirements, including hardware with a TPM 2.0 chip. Altho not all computers, laptops, and tablets come with Trusted Platform Module (TPM), which can be a problem, especially if you need version 2.0.
According to a tweet from Shen Ye, Senior Director, Global Head of HTC Hardware Products, the price of TPM 2.0 has quadrupled, so while Windows 11 isn’t officially available yet, Microsoft has it legitimate, and the name is security.
Securing devices with Infineon industrial grade TPM
Infineon Technologies AG has unveiled a new security chip that defines the first TPM (Trusted Platform Module), designed specifically for industrial applications such as industrial computers, servers, industrial controllers and edge gates. The module protects confidential data in connected devices and reduces the risk of leakage of this information due to attacks, e.g. hackers.
The OPTIGA TPM SLM 9670 module protects the integrity of industrial systems and the identity of users using them. The system controls access to sensitive data at key locations in industrial environments, such as an automated factory. It also protects the cloud interface if the network uses one. The security system fully meets the TPM 2.0 standard developed by the Trusted Computing Group and is certified by an independent test laboratory in accordance with the criteria contained in this standard. The new module is meticulously controlled and certified by Infineon. Thanks to its use, it is possible to shorten the time of designing and introducing the device to the market, thanks to the ready security solution in the system.
The TPM system has a lifetime declared as 20 years. It allows programmers to perform firmware updates, which in turn enables them to meet the long-term security requirements in rapidly changing industrial environments. In this way, it can also reduce maintenance costs of industrial equipment thanks to secured remote software updates. The TPM chip will be available in serial production in the second half of 2019.
TPM 2.0 Key Features
Random Number Generator (RNG) according to NIST SP800-90A
TPM FW update functionality installed
6962 Bytes of free NV memory
Full personalization with Endorsement Key (EK) and EK certificate
Up to 3 keys in the volatile memory
Up to 7 keys in the NV memory
Up to 8 NV counters
Support of various cryptographic algorithms:
RSA-1024 and RSA-2048
SHA-1 and SHA-256
ECC NIST P256
ECC BN256
Security chip implementation in Industrial IoT devices
With knowledge of latest Industrial IoT security measures, the choice of proper end-point conroller or gateway is much easier than you think. Some manufacturers can implement TPM 2.0 security chip in production process, to allow users to generate certification keys after purchase, maximizing security of their installations. TECHBASE offers wide range of solutions, optionally aided with TPM system.
For example, ESP-32 based solution, Moduino X series and eModGATE series products offer the support for such security measures. Read more in Industrial IoT Ecosystem brochure, to understand the importance of reliable and secure hardware for Industrial IoT.
The RAK2287 is a mini-PCIe LPWAN hub module based on the Semtech SX1302 that can be easily integrated with existing routers and other networking equipment with LPWAN gateway capabilities. It can be used on embedded platforms that offer a free mini PCIe slot with SPI connector. In addition to LPWAN functionality, the module is equipped with a ZOE-M8Q GPS chip that provides GNSS functionality.
This module is an exceptional, complete, and cost-efficient gateway solution offering up to 10 programmable parallel demodulation paths, an 8 x 8 channel LoRa® packet detector, 8 x SF5-SF12 LoRa® demodulators and 8 x SF5-SF10 LoRa® demodulators. It is capable of detecting an uninterrupted combination of packets at 8 different spreading factors and 10 channels with continuous demodulation of up to 16 packets. The module is well suited for Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications, that require node density of up to 500 nodes per km² in an environment with moderate interference.
Use of wireless connection makes life and work easier for us every day – from radio stations and GSM to Wi-Fi wireless networks, Zigbee, short-range Bluetooth connectivity and LoRa. With the spread of internet access, the possibility of using wireless connectivity for a new type of service and application has opened. Terminology such as M2M (Machine to Machine) – remote communication between devices and IoT – a network of applications and devices communicating with the Internet have been created.
Device equipped with LoRa module is delivered with a LoRaWAN protocol stack, so it can be easily connected to the existing, fast-growing LoRa Alliance infrastructure – both in privately managed local area networks (LAN) and public telecommunications networks to create wide area low power WAN (LPWAN) on a national scale. LoRaWAN stack integration also allows connection to any microcontroller, such as LoRa Gateway industrial device from TECHBASE.
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The latest research report on global IoT-based smart homes evaluates the opportunities and current market landscapes, and provides detailed analysis and updates of relevant sections affecting global IoT-based smart homes. This research provides in-depth insight into key market changes including drivers, constraints, trends and opportunities for IoT-based smart homes. The main purpose of market research is to provide exclusive information on how the market will function in the forecast period from 2020 to 2036.
What are the developmental trends in Smart Home Based on IoT sectors that will impact the market?
Updated ClusBerry device for Smart Home and developers
A new addition to TECHBASE’s Industrial IoT Ecosystem is a variation of recent cluster device, ClusBerry based on multiple Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and custom cluster board allowing free configuration from two up to eight modules. Each module can perform various tasks, from standard I/O gateway, wireless modem, Gigabit LAN router to NAS file server and AI Gateway with up to 4 Google Coral Edge TPU modules.
You can manage your cluster modules at ease, boot modules from one to another, upgrade firmware crosswise and provide safe operation of each module. The modules are connected to internal Ethernet Switch and USB OTG to provide such feature and allow quick heal of the cluster.
For home applications and with the nod to software developers, we released ClusBerry device in less industrial casing, to be used in the comfort of own house – on your desk next to PC or wall-mounted in any convenient place. ClusBerry for Home is fully modular as it’s industrial version and offers the same performance and options.
New features of multiple Compute Modules 4 brought to new ClusBerry series
Accompanying the release of ModBerry 500-CM4 and AI GATEWAY 9500-CM4, we present to you a cluster version of the device, called ClusBerry 9500-CM4. Main difference between standard Gateway and ClusBerry is the possibility to include multiple Compute Module 4 in one device, as well as the intended suitable amount of wired and wireless interfaces, suited for the project.
Fully configurable devices are something desirable in the IoT market, where high performance and low cost is a key factor to success of implementation. TECHBASE’s Industrial IoT Ecosystem gives the opportunity to adjust ordered devices with certain resources and cut unnecessary I/Os, lowering the total cost of the device.
Reason for use of Raspberry Pi CM4 cluster in ClusBerry 9500-CM4
Various implementations must have guaranteed high hardware performance to react fast enough in real time. For this purpose, the arrays of processor blocks are constructed to be assigned to individual tasks. For several years now, attempts have been made to use various types of SBC for this purpose, including, of course, Raspberry Pi. However, the practical effectiveness of such solutions so far has not been of interest for several reasons. First of all, these solutions were most often associated with many mechanical limitations and the structure of the matrix itself required excessive wiring, preventing failure-free operation and the cost of the entire maintenance of the structure.
This is where Raspberry Pi Compute Module can shine, but due to the hardware speed limitations of the buses in this module, it was not completely effective and was rather a development platform. Altho the introduction of new Compute Module 4 has opened the possibility to construct and maintain effective hardware matrix solutions with the use of both PCI-Express buses and 1GBps Ethernet. Therefore, the ClusBerry 9500-CM4 opens up completely new capabilities of utilizing cluster solutions for Industrial Automation and server applications.
Wide range of ClusBerry modules
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 supports up to 8 cluster modules andcomes with a variety of interchangeable modules to choose from, including:
Standard 9500-CM4 cluster module with Compute Module 4 and chosen configuration:
I/O Controller with range of DI, DO, AI, 1-Wire, RS-232/485 and CAN interfaces
Communication Gateway with wired (1/2x Ethernet, Serial Ports) and wireless interfaces (LTE-cat.M1, 4G, 5G, LoRa, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Wireless M-Bus)
NAS File Server with 2x SSD SATA III and RAID support, managed with Nextcloud or ownCloud software
USB3.0 Hub for 5G communication, Modems, AI Cluster and peripherals
Gigabit LAN/WAN Router with additional 2.5GbE network card as an independent switch/router shielded from the mainboard cluster network
SuperCap / Power management module for backup power supply (supercapacitors / Li-Ion battery) and sleep mode management aided with ESP32-module
Additional expansion cards, with resources suited for the installation (DIO, AIO, Serial Ports and dedicated sensor cards, detailed below)
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 with available expansion cards
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 can be equipped with multiple expansion cards, e.g. serial RS-232/485 ports, range of digital and analog I/Os, USB, HDMI and Ethernet. Interfaces can be expanded with additional I/Os and opto-isolation, relays, Ethernet, 1-Wire, CAN, M-Bus Master and Slave, accelerometer and many more features like TPM Security Chip & eSIM. The device can also be equipped with additional SuperCap backup power source for continuous work and safe boot/shutdown in case of emergency.
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 series also offers a standard PCI module support for various wireless communication protocols, such as:
GSM modem (4G/LTE and fast 5G modem)
economic NarrowBand-IoT technology
LoRa, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Sigfox, Wireless M-Bus
secondary Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interface or Wi-Fi Hi-Power
custom wireless interfaces
Software cluster management with Docker and K3s Lightweight Kubernetes
With use of Docker-based and Kubernetes solutions, installation and management of ClusBerry 9500-CM4 is easy and backed with a large community for further support and development. Kubernetes is a portable, extensible open-source software platform for managing containerized tasks and sites that enables declarative configuration and automation. The Kubernetes ecosystem is large and dynamically developing. Kubernetes services, support and tools are widely available.
Kubernetes provides:
Detection of new services and traffic. Kubernetes can balance the load and redirect the network traffic to ensure the stability of the entire installation.
Kubernetes data storage management enables you to automatically mount any type of storage system – on-premises, from cloud providers and others.
Automatic deployment and rollback. You can describe the expected state of your installation with Kubernetes, which will take care of bringing the actual state to the expected state in a controlled manner. For example, with Kubernetes, you can manage your cluster modules at ease, boot modules from one to another, upgrade firmware crosswise and provide safe operation of each module
Automatic management of available resources. ClusBerry 9500-CM4provides a cluster of modules that Kubernetes can use to run tasks in containers. You determine the CPU power and RAM requirements for each container. Kubernetes arranges containers on machines in such a way as to make the best use of provided resources.
Self-healing Kubernetes reboots containers that have stopped working, replaces them with new ones, forces disabling containers that are not responding to certain status queries, and does not announce their availability until they are ready to run.
Managing confidential information and Kubernetes configuration with TPM Security Chip allows you to store and manage confidential information such as passwords, OAuth tokens and SSH keys. Secured data and configuration information can be provided and changed without having to rebuild the container image and without exposing sensitive data in the overall software configuration.
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 availability
First prototypes are being developed, since Compute Module 4 is already available for the purchase. Delivery time for various configurations of ClusBerry will be approximately 2 months, depending on the CM4 supply on the market and chosen expansion cards. For more information contact TECHBASE’s Sales Department via email or Live Chat here or visit product website: https://clusberry.techbase.eu.
TECHBASE company designed an extended version of Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 based devices, ModBerry 500-CM4-PM series for better power management in changing conditions of industrial applications. With the use of GPIO the module can manage boot, sleep mode or safe shutdown of the device in terms of unexpected drop in the power network with help of built-in ESP32 module and Arduino environment.
In the last few years developers marketed a wide range of ARM-based development boards, lacking in enhanced power management, especially sleep and wake up modes, commonly used in PC-grade computing. These boards are not adjusted for battery power supply, so it’s natural that sleep/wake functions should be implemented. In connection with the development of solutions based on Linux-SBC, key factor is adding sleep modes to any remote installation
ESP32 based addon module for Raspberry Pi
With built-in algorithms and the possibility to program on your own, the TECHBASE’s sleep/wake addon module can wake the device using a scheduler/timer. The module itself is based on ESP32-WROVER, used in the Moduino X series. ESP32 as a lightweight and low-powered solution is a perfect aid system for Raspberry Pi. Another option is wake on external triggers, e.g. change of input state, etc. All the options for sleep, shutdown and wake can be configured for various scenarios to ensure constant operation of devices, safety of data and continuity of work in case of power failure in any installation.
Sleep mode with additional power backup
Additional power management option for ModBerry devices is sleep functionality enhanced with SuperCap UPS energy backup device. This solution allows programming scenarios including the execution of chosen actions, in order to save data, send a notification and restart/shutdown the controller after completion.
Advanced power management solution
Most advanced configuration includes use of ESP32 module, known from the successful, lightweight Moduino X series, for extra logic for wake up / sleep scripts. This addon will allow the RaspberryPi-based ModBerry device to be woken up by the internal ESP32 controller.
Moduino-ModBerry symbiosis allows a wide range of wake-up/sleep schedule customization, in order to perform best and save energy according to power supply state. Arduino and MicroPython environments provide libraries to control different scenarios of data and power management.
ModBerry 500-CM4-PM availability
The preliminary ModBerry 500-CM4-PM devices are available on request and delivery time will be specified by the Sales Dept. depending on the size of the project. Contact via email or Live Chat here: https://iiot-shop.com/
Recently TECHBASE introduced ClusBerry, an industrial Raspberry Pi based cluster device, utilizing up to 8x Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and custom cluster board with a wide range of configuration possibilities.
For smaller projects and IoT prototyping, the company designed a smaller and ready-to-deploy cluster device including two independent ModBerry I/O mainboards and two Compute Module 4’s. The ClusBerry-2M offers similar resources as double ModBerry 500-CM4 with software cluster management tools – Docker and K3s Lightweight Kubernetes solutions.
Each module can perform various tasks, from standard I/O gateway, wireless modem, Gigabit LAN router to NAS file server and AI Gateway with Google Coral Edge TPU modules. You can manage your cluster modules at ease, boot modules from one to another, upgrade firmware crosswise and provide safe operation of each module. The modules are connected to each other to provide such features and allow quick healing of the dual cluster.
New features of multiple Compute Modules 4 brought to new ClusBerry series
Fully configurable devices are something desirable in the IoT market, where high performance and low cost is a key factor to success of implementation. TECHBASE’s Industrial IoT Ecosystem gives the opportunity to adjust ordered devices with certain resources and cut unnecessary I/Os, lowering the total cost of the device.
Various implementations must have guaranteed high hardware performance to react fast enough in real time. For this purpose, the arrays of processor blocks are constructed to be assigned to individual tasks. For several years now, attempts have been made to use various types of SBC for this purpose, including, of course, Raspberry Pi.
Reason for use of CM4 cluster in ClusBerry-2M
The introduction of new Compute Module 4 has opened the possibility to construct and maintain effective hardware matrix solutions with the use of both PCI-Express buses and 1GBps Ethernet. Therefore, the ClusBerry-2M opens up completely new capabilities of utilizing cluster solutions for Industrial Automation and server applications.
ClusBerry-2M can be equipped with multiple expansion cards, e.g. serial RS-232/485 ports, range of digital and analog I/Os, USB, HDMI and Ethernet. Interfaces can be expanded with additional I/Os and opto-isolation, relays, Ethernet, 1-Wire, CAN, M-Bus Master and Slave, accelerometer and many more features like TPM Security Chip & eSIM. The device can also be equipped with additional SuperCap backup power source for continuous work and safe boot/shutdown in case of emergency.
ClusBerry-2M series also offers two M.2 NVMe SSD slots and up to four standard miniPCIe module support for various wireless communication protocols, such as:
GSM modem (4G/LTE and fast 5G modem)
economic NarrowBand-IoT technology
LoRa, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Sigfox, Wireless M-Bus
secondary Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interface or Wi-Fi Hi-Power
custom wireless interfaces
Software cluster management with Docker and K3s Lightweight Kubernetes
With use of Docker-based and Kubernetes solutions, installation and management of ClusBerry-2M is easy and backed with a large community for further support and development. Kubernetes is a portable, extensible open-source software platform for managing containerized tasks and sites that enables declarative configuration and automation. The Kubernetes ecosystem is large and dynamically developing. Kubernetes services, support and tools are widely available.
Kubernetes provides:
Detection of new services and traffic. Kubernetes can balance the load and redirect the network traffic to ensure the stability of the entire installation.
Kubernetes data storage management enables you to automatically mount any type of storage system – on-premises, from cloud providers and others.
Automatic deployment and rollback. You can describe the expected state of your installation with Kubernetes, which will take care of bringing the actual state to the expected state in a controlled manner. For example, with Kubernetes, you can manage your cluster modules at ease, boot modules from one to another, upgrade firmware crosswise and provide safe operation of each module.
Automatic management of available resources. ClusBerry-2M provides a cluster of modules that Kubernetes can use to run tasks in containers. You determine the CPU power and RAM requirements for each container. Kubernetes arranges containers on machines in such a way as to make the best use of provided resources.
Self-healing Kubernetes reboots containers that have stopped working, replaces them with new ones, forces disabling containers that are not responding to certain status queries, and does not announce their availability until they are ready to run.
Managing confidential information and Kubernetes configuration with TPM Security Chip allows you to store and manage confidential information such as passwords, OAuth tokens and SSH keys. Secured data and configuration information can be provided and changed without having to rebuild the container image and without exposing sensitive data in the overall software configuration.
ClusBerry-2M availability
Basic version of ClusBerry-2M is available in 2-4 weeks. Delivery time for various configurations of ClusBerry-2M including ExCard modules and modems can be approximately 2 months, depending on the CM4 supply on the market and chosen expansion cards. For more information please contact via our website and sign the offer here: https://clusberry.techbase.eu/
With latest Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, the Raspberry Foundation added NVMe SSD support via M.2 (PCIe 2.0) interface. Jeff Geerling tested 3 piece M.2 SSD RAID array which is another example how Compute Module 4 is a milestone in IoT applications.
SSD/eMMC benchmark scores for Compute Module 4
With the debut of Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and ModBerry 500 CM4 from TECHBASE, another addition came to Industrial Controllers and Edge Automation. New module carried the likelihood to associate NVMe SSD module by means of M.2 slot utilizing PCIe 2.0 interface.
Order next batch of Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 devices
TECHBASE’s ModBerry industrial computer series has received an update to Compute Module 4 and is available for pre-orders. TECHBASE is leading manufacturer of Industrial Raspberry Pi and Industrial Compute Module solutions. ModBerry 500 series is fully compatible with all releases of Compute Module from Rasbperry Pi foundation.
Main features of updated device are:
up to 4x faster eMMC Flash with up to 32GB storage
up to 2x faster performance than previous CM3 version with quad-core Cortex-A72 4×1.5GHz
up to 8x more RAM (8GB LPDDR4)
1Gbit Ethernet interface
optional PCIe card support for NVMe SSD drive (via M.2)
optional second PCIe support for wireless modem solutions, e.g. 5G modems
First batch of ModBerry 500 CM4 devices has already been shipped, we are gathering orders for next batch. Hurry up to get your devices quickly!
New features of multiple Compute Modules 4 brought to new ClusBerry series
Accompanying the release of ModBerry 500-CM4 and AI GATEWAY 9500-CM4, we present to you a cluster version of the device, called ClusBerry 9500-CM4. Main difference between standard Gateway and ClusBerry is the possibility to include multiple Compute Module 4 in one device, as well as the intended suitable amount of wired and wireless interfaces, suited for the project.
Fully configurable devices are something desirable in the IoT market, where high performance and low cost is a key factor to success of implementation. TECHBASE’s Industrial IoT Ecosystem gives the opportunity to adjust ordered devices with certain resources and cut unnecessary I/Os, lowering the total cost of the device.
Reason for use of CM4 cluster in ClusBerry 9500-CM4
Various implementations must have guaranteed high hardware performance to react fast enough in real time. For this purpose, the arrays of processor blocks are constructed to be assigned to individual tasks. For several years now, attempts have been made to use various types of SBC for this purpose, including, of course, Raspberry Pi.. However, the practical effectiveness of such solutions so far has not been of interest for several reasons. First of all, these solutions were most often associated with many mechanical limitations and the structure of the matrix itself required excessive wiring, preventing failure-free operation and the cost of the entire maintenance of the structure.
This is where Raspberry Pi Compute Module can shine, but due to the hardware speed limitations of the buses in this module, it was not completely effective and was rather a development platform. Altho the introduction of new Compute Module 4 has opened the possibility to construct and maintain effective hardware matrix solutions with the use of both PCI-Express buses and 1GBps Ethernet. Therefore, the ClusBerry 9500-CM4 opens up completely new capabilities of utilizing cluster solutions for Industrial Automation and server applications.
Wide range of ClusBerry modules
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 supports up to 8 cluster modules andcomes with a variety of interchangeable modules to choose from, including:
Standard 9500-CM4 cluster module with Compute Module 4 and chosen configuration:
I/O Controller with range of DI, DO, AI, 1-Wire, RS-232/485 and CAN interfaces
Communication Gateway with wired (1/2x Ethernet, Serial Ports) and wireless interfaces (LTE-cat.M1, 4G, 5G, LoRa, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Wireless M-Bus)
NAS File Server with 2x SSD SATA III and RAID support, managed with Nextcloud or ownCloud software
USB3.0 Hub for 5G communication, Modems, AI Cluster and peripherals
Gigabit LAN/WAN Router with additional 2.5GbE network card as an independent switch/router shielded from the mainboard cluster network
SuperCap / Power management module for backup power supply (supercapacitors / Li-Ion battery) and sleep mode management aided with ESP32-module
Additional expansion cards, with resources suited for the installation (DIO, AIO, Serial Ports and dedicated sensor cards, detailed below)
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 with available expansion cards
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 can be equipped with multiple expansion cards, e.g. serial RS-232/485 ports, range of digital and analog I/Os, USB, HDMI and Ethernet. Interfaces can be expanded with additional I/Os and opto-isolation, relays, Ethernet, 1-Wire, CAN, M-Bus Master and Slave, accelerometer and many more features like TPM Security Chip & eSIM. The device can also be equipped with additional SuperCap backup power source for continuous work and safe boot/shutdown in case of emergency.
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 series also offers a standard PCI module support for various wireless communication protocols, such as:
GSM modem (4G/LTE and fast 5G modem)
economic NarrowBand-IoT technology
LoRa, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Sigfox, Wireless M-Bus
secondary Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interface or Wi-Fi Hi-Power
custom wireless interfaces
Software cluster management with Docker and K3s Lightweight Kubernetes
With use of Docker-based and Kubernetes solutions, installation and management of ClusBerry 9500-CM4 is easy and backed with a large community for further support and development. Kubernetes is a portable, extensible open-source software platform for managing containerized tasks and sites that enables declarative configuration and automation. The Kubernetes ecosystem is large and dynamically developing. Kubernetes services, support and tools are widely available.
Kubernetes provides:
Detection of new services and traffic. Kubernetes can balance the load and redirect the network traffic to ensure the stability of the entire installation.
Kubernetes data storage management enables you to automatically mount any type of storage system – on-premises, from cloud providers and others.
Automatic deployment and rollback. You can describe the expected state of your installation with Kubernetes, which will take care of bringing the actual state to the expected state in a controlled manner. For example, with Kubernetes, you can manage your cluster modules at ease, boot modules from one to another, upgrade firmware crosswise and provide safe operation of each module
Automatic management of available resources. ClusBerry 9500-CM4 provides a cluster of modules that Kubernetes can use to run tasks in containers. You determine the CPU power and RAM requirements for each container. Kubernetes arranges containers on machines in such a way as to make the best use of provided resources.
Self-healing Kubernetes reboots containers that have stopped working, replaces them with new ones, forces disabling containers that are not responding to certain status queries, and does not announce their availability until they are ready to run.
Managing confidential information and Kubernetes configuration with TPM Security Chip allows you to store and manage confidential information such as passwords, OAuth tokens and SSH keys. Secured data and configuration information can be provided and changed without having to rebuild the container image and without exposing sensitive data in the overall software configuration.
ClusBerry 9500-CM4 availability
First prototypes are being developed, since Compute Module 4 is already available for the purchase. Delivery time for various configurations of ClusBerry will be approximately 2 months, depending on the CM4 supply on the market and chosen expansion cards. For more information contact TECHBASE’s Sales Department via email or Live Chat here.