EP-0146

CM4 Router Board

CM4 Router Board is an expansion board based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. It brings Raspberry Pi CM4 two full-speed gigabit network ports and offers better performance, lower CPU usage, and higher stability for a long time work compared with a USB network card.

The board still retains the characteristic GPIO pin header of Raspberry Pi, which makes it applicable for connecting other hat board such as Pi hats, sensors, and PoE hat board, and cooling fan, etc.

There is also a USB2.0 interface that can be connected to USB flash driver, USB keyboard, printers, WIFI modules,etc.

Besides, there is an OLED(0.91 inch) screen will help you to customize your Router Board's information display style.

It provides OpenWRT open-source router system. After a simple setup, it can be used as a router. It is also compatible with Raspberry OS, Ubuntu Server and other Raspberry Pi systems, even you can make this router board a retrogame machine at home.

The standard HDMI interface can help you configure the device and display operating information conveniently.

The powerful performance of BCM2711 4 core 1.5GHz Cortex-A72 and the rich software support in the Raspberry Pi community make this board a solid foundation for building high-performance gateways, smart routers, and home IoT platforms. It can also be connected to peripherals and used as a mini-NAS, wireless network bridge, or mini server which can be controlled via terminal.

If you need multiple LAN network ports like common routers, it is recommended to use a gigabit switch to expand the network ports, which will not affect its Internet performance.

5V DC Fan interface supports 5V cooling fan, it can alse support PWM protocol, that means you can control the speed of fan blades via PWM signal.

Features & Specifications

• Compatible Module: Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 series
• Support standard Raspberry Pi HAT interface
• Support POE HAT to supply power to the board
• Support POE HAT for external power supply
• Full-speed dual gigabit network interface
• Master-slave dual USB2.0 interface
• Micro SD card slot, used to support non-eMMC version of CM4
• Standard HDIM video output interface
• 0.91 inch IIC OLED display
• 5V DC fan interface(Support controlling via PWM signal)
• Ethernet: high-performance Gigabit ethernet controller RTL8111E chip, JXD 2111x G2406s chip as isolation transformer.
  • Port0: Compute Module 4 Built-In
  • Port1: PCI Express 1000BASE-T NIC
• GPIO: 40Pin GPIO compatible with Raspberry Pi
• Power Supply: USB-C(Type-C) 5V/3A interface
• Operating Temperature: 0℃~80℃
• Dimension: 146 x 80mm

Gallery

• Product Outlook
• Product Details
• Product Dimentions

Package Includes

• 1 x CM4 Router Board
• 1 x Acrylic Case for CM4 Router Board Kit

How to use

Requirements

• 1 x Any model of Compute Module 4
• 1 x 5V@3A USB-C power supply
• 1 x USB-C cable
• 1 x MicroSD card (If you use the eMMC model, you don't need a microSD card, but you need to prepare a USB-C cable for editing and burning eMMC)
• 2 x Cat-6 Ethernet Cable

Operating System

The CM4 router board is compatible with most systems that support Raspberry Pi 4, but most Linux distributions do not optimize the network device scenarios. So OpenWRT and Raspberry Pi OS are recommended.

Download

• 52Pi Version: Based on the latest development version of OpenWRT, which already includes the web interface and language pack, it is recommended to get started.
  • 52Pi Official OpenWRT firmware [ ]

• OpenWRT official snapshot version

The official snapshot is the smallest system, using serial terminal control, you need to manually install the Web console, driver, etc. it is recommended for experienced users.

• • OpenWRT official website: [ https://openwrt.org/ ]
  • OpenWRT Develop Guide: [ https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-developer/source-code/start ]
  • OpenWRT User Guide: [ https://openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/start ]
  • OpenWRT forum: [ https://openwrt.org/contact#forum ]

SD Card Installation

Suitable for Compute Module 4 Lite without eMMC version. 1. Requirements

• Card Reader
• Etcher
• 7-Zip Compressed File Manager
• OS image file

Flash the image file to MicroSD card by using etcher imaging tool.

eMMC Installation

Suitable for Compute Module 4 with eMMC version.