ArmSoM-CM5: Compatible Alternative to Raspberry Pi CM4

What is the project:

The ArmSoM-CM5 is a system-on-module based on the Rockchip RK3576, designed to be electrically and mechanically compatible with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4). It offers up to 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, 128GB of eMMC flash storage, and a 6 TOPS AI accelerator integrated into the RK3576 SoC. Additionally, it features WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and a PMIC for efficient power management.

Why I decided to create this project:

I created the ArmSoM-CM5 to meet the needs of developers seeking a more powerful and feature-rich alternative to the Raspberry Pi CM4. With the increasing demand for AI capabilities, higher memory, and more storage, the ArmSoM-CM5 is designed to provide enhanced performance while maintaining compatibility with existing CM4 ecosystems.

How it works:

The ArmSoM-CM5 is equipped with two 100-pin connectors that are mostly compatible with the Raspberry Pi CM4 pinout, allowing it to be used in CM4-based projects with minimal adjustments. It also includes a WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 module for modern wireless connectivity. The module is supported by the CM5-IO carrier board, which enables the use of additional USB 3.0 and PCIe interfaces. The company has successfully tested the ArmSoM-CM5 with the official Raspberry Pi CM4 IO board, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.

We’re excited to announce the release of our latest board, the ArmSoM-CM5. This module is designed to be electrically and mechanically compatible with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4), making it an ideal choice for those looking for a more powerful alternative.

Key Features:

SoC – Rockchip RK3576

• CPU – 4x Cortex-A72 cores at 2.2GHz, 4x Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8GHz
• GPU – Arm Mali-G52 MC3 GPU with support for OpenGL ES 1.1, 2.0, and 3.2, OpenCL up to 2.0, and Vulkan 1.1
• NPU – 6 TOPS (INT8) AI accelerator with support for INT4/INT8/INT16/BF16/TF32 mixed operations.

VPU:

• Video Decoder – H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1, and AVS2 up to 8Kp30 or 4Kp120, MPJEG decoding up to 4Kp60
• Video Encoder – H.264, H.265, (M)JPEG up to 4Kp60

VPU

• Video Decoder – H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1, and AVS2 up to 8Kp30 or 4Kp120, MPJEG decoding up to 4Kp60
• Video Encoder – H.264, H.265, (M)JPEG up to 4Kp60

System Memory – 8 or 16GB 32-bit LPDDR5

Storage – 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB eMMC flash

Wireless – WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 via Synaptics SYN43752 module (That’s more mass production, but the prototypes are based on RTL8852BS)

Host interface – 2x 100-pin high-density connectors with a pinout mostly compatible with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, but:

• Only supports only 1x HDMI, and 1x MIPI DSI interface instead of 2x for each on the CM4
• Adds an extra 2x PCIe/SATA/USB 3.0 multiplexed interface

Power Supply

• Supply Voltage – 4.5V to 5.5V DC
• RK806S-5 PMIC

Dimensions – 55 x 40 mm

Weight – 12 grams

Temperature Range – 0°C to 80°C

Open Source Resources:

All of our hardware documentation is available here:

Google Drive linkWe hope these resources will be helpful to all the geeks out there!

To support your development, we will be providing the following files:

• CM5-IO schematic source files
• CM5-IO PCB source files
• CM5 and CM5-IO schematic PDFs
• Chip datasheets
• CM5 2D CAD files
• CM5-IO 2D CAD files

Accessories

Display-10-HD: A 10.1-inch touchscreen display, ideal for interactive projects like entertainment systems and information dashboards.

Camera Module 1: The camera module 1, compatible with the OV13850 sensor, is a low-power camera module.

At ArmSoM, our goal is to provide better services to electronic engineers, hobbyists, and tech enthusiasts, helping you DIY imaginative and innovative products. We believe the ArmSoM-CM5 offers a powerful and versatile solution, particularly for those already invested in the Raspberry Pi ecosystem.

We will be actively monitoring this thread and are here to answer any questions you may have. Looking forward to your thoughts and feedback!