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IPCBOX-CM5-A

IPCBOX-CM5-A

The IPCBOX-CM5-A is a carrier board designed for use with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5. It offers powerful features, including onboard 1x USB 3.2 Gen1, 3x USB 2.0, M.2 M KEY, M.2 B KEY (for 4G/5G modules), audio output interface, and dual Ethernet ports. Additionally, it provides RS485/RS232, CAN, digital inputs, and digital outputs via GPIO expansion for user convenience.

SKUProduct
34120IPCBOX-CM5-A (US)
34121IPCBOX-CM5-A (EU)
34122IPCBOX-CM5-A (UK)
34123IPCBOX-CM5-B (US)
34124IPCBOX-CM5-B (EU)
34125IPCBOX-CM5-B (UK)

Version Options

ModelImageInterface Specs
IPCBOX-CM5-A
Dual Ethernet ports, 4 × RS485
IPCBOX-CM5-B
Dual Ethernet ports, 2 × RS485 + 2 × RS232

Features

  • Do not plug or unplug any devices other than USB and HDMI while the system is powered on
  • The Type-C port can be used as a USB SLAVE interface for flashing images or powering the device
  • Onboard 2 USB port groups, with a total maximum output current of 2A per group (1x USB 3.2 Gen1 + 3x USB 2.0 ports)
  • Supports triple independent displays. When a MIPI DSI driver is added, the system will default to connecting to it regardless of whether a screen is connected, and the screen will display in split-screen mode (depending on the system version)
  • Onboard M.2 M KEY interface, supports NVMe SSD protocol (or PCIe protocol AI modules)
  • Onboard M.2 B KEY interface, supports 4G/5G communication modules
  • Optional versions: 2x RS485 + 2x RS232, or 4x RS485 (isolated)
  • 1x CAN supporting 1Mbps communication rate (isolated)
  • 2x Digital Output + 2x Digital Input (isolated)
  • 3.5mm headphone jack (supports microphone), PH2.0 speaker connector
  • Single controllable buzzer
  • Onboard EEPROM and encryption chip
  • Onboard BOOT button: Press and hold the BOOT button before powering on, then connect to a PC via Type-C to enter flashing mode
  • When using Type-C for flashing, do not connect other devices; otherwise, insufficient power may cause the device not to be recognized

Onboard Resources

1. CM5 Socket
Compatible with all versions of Compute Module 5
2. M.2 M KEY
Supports 2242 / 2230 NVMe SSDs or AI modules
3. Nano SIM Card Slot
4. TF Card Slot
For connecting a TF card with an OS system (Applicable only for CM5 versions without eMMC)
5. Dual USB 2.0 Ports
Standard USB 2.0 port
6. BOOT Button
Press before powering on to enter flashing mode
7. PSW Power Button
Long press to force power off, short press for soft shutdown or power on
8. M.2 B KEY
Supports 4G / 5G communication modules
9. Buzzer
10. PH2.0 Speaker Header
Supports connecting an 8Ω 5W speaker. The enclosure does not have a cutout for this interface, so it cannot be accessed from inside the case
11. Flashing Interface
Can be used as an eMMC flashing interface
12. 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Supports audio input/output
13. HDMI Interface
Supports 4K output
14. USB Ports
One standard USB 2.0 port, one USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port. USB 3.2 Gen1 supports up to 5Gbps
15. DC Power Screw Terminal
Supports DC 7V ~ 36V power input
16. Indicator LEDs
17. 1000M Ethernet Port
RJ45 1000M port, supports 10M / 100M / 1000M network connections
18. 2500M Ethernet Port
RJ45 2500M port, supports 10M / 100M / 1000M / 2500M network connections
19. RTC Battery Header
Allows connection of an RTC battery to power the RTC
20. Multi-function Interface
Includes 1× CAN interface (supports up to 1Mbps) and 2x digital inputs and 2x digital outputs
21. RS485 / RS232 Interface
Corresponds to the respective interface based on the version
22. 120R Jumper
Termination resistor jumper for RS485 and CAN. No effect on RS232
23. Dual MIPI Interfaces
Supports connecting DSI displays or CSI cameras. The enclosure does not have a cutout for this interface, so it cannot be accessed from inside the case

Dimensions

IPCBOX-CM5-A/IPCBOX-CM5-A Product Dimensions

Image Flashing

  • Entering Download Mode
    • Onboard BOOT Button: Press and hold the BOOT button before powering on, connect to PC via Type-C, and release the button after the power indicator lights up
  • Flashing Images for LITE Versions: LITE Version Tutorial
  • Flashing Images for EMMC Versions: EMMC Version Tutorial

NVMe(M.2 M KEY)


NVMe SSD Boot

  • First, boot the Raspberry Pi using a TF card, mount and test the NVMe SSD to ensure the hardware functions correctly
  • NVMe SSD Boot: Boot Configuration Tutorial

MIPI

warning

The enclosure for this product does not have a cutout for this interface, so it cannot be accessed from inside the case. It can only be used when the enclosure is not assembled.


Fan Control


RTC


Audio Interface

warning

When headphones are connected, the PH2.0 speaker interface will be muted, and the audio signal will be output through the headphone jack.


RS485/RS232

  • The product features onboard RS485/RS232 interfaces (Version A does not have RS232)
  • The product supports all features in this tutorial: RS485/RS232 Usage Tutorial

CAN

  • The product has an onboard CAN interface (supports up to 1Mbps).
  • The product supports all features in this tutorial: CAN Usage Guide

Digital Input Interface

warning

The maximum input voltage supported by the product's digital input interface is 36V.

Control PinFunctionDescription
GPIO23IN1Digital Input Channel 1
GPIO24IN2Digital Input Channel 2
  • When the digital input is high (above 2V), the GPIO reads as low
  • When the digital input is low (below 0.9V), the GPIO reads as high

Digital Output Interface

warning

The product's digital output is open-drain, with a maximum cut-off voltage of 150V and a maximum current of 500mA (on-resistance is 18Ω). Overvoltage or overcurrent will damage the device.

Control PinFunctionDescription
GPIO27OUT1Digital Output Channel 1
GPIO22OUT2Digital Output Channel 2
  • When the GPIO outputs high, the digital output level is low
  • When the GPIO outputs low, the digital output level is high-impedance

4G/5G

  • The product has an onboard M.2 M KEY interface, supporting 4G / 5G communication modules.
  • The product supports all features in this tutorial: 4G / 5G Usage Guide

Encryption Chip (ATSHA204)


EEPROM (CAT24C32)

  • I2C address of the chip: 0x50 (adjustable by changing the soldering position of resistors A0~A2)
  • The default I2C connection for the chip is: I2C1 (SDA:GPIO2, SCL:GPIO3) I2C1 (SDA:GPIO2, SCL:GPIO3)
    IPCBOX-CM5-A EEPROM Address Configuration

I2C Interface

  • The default I2C bus used by the carrier board is I2C1 (SDA:GPIO2, SCL:GPIO3)
  • This I2C interface is currently used for the onboard encryption chip (ATSHA204) and EEPROM (CAT24C32)
  • It can be switched to use I2C0 by adjusting resistors
    IPCBOX-CM5-A I2C Pin Selection

Buzzer

Control PinFunctionDescription
GPIO7BuzzerActive buzze
  • When the GPIO outputs high, the buzzer is silent.
  • When the GPIO outputs low, the buzzer sounds.

LED Indicators

LED LabelFunctionDescription
STAT4G/5G module enable LED4G/5G module interface LEDs
NET4G/5G module status LED
PWRRaspberry Pi system LEDsRaspberry Pi system LEDs
ACTRaspberry Pi activity LED
USER1User‑definable LED 1Connected to GPIO25, active low
USER2User‑definable LED 2Connected to GPIO26, active low