Ms. Doyle, which target group are you addressing with the Raspberry Pi Compute Module?
Doyle: The Raspberry Pi Compute Module is intended for professional makers and developers. It enables them to develop a Raspberry Pi solution that meets the requirements of their product.

What has changed in the new module compared to its predecessor?
Doyle: The new module is based on the Broadcom 2837 processor, which is also used in the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B. The 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 architecture enables the use of multi-core operating systems for intensive data processing and offers a speed advantage of around ten times that of the previous version. The Compute Module 3 also has 4 GB RAM. This latest specification allows developers to use the Raspberry Pi hardware and software stack for their own systems and form factors.

Are there any accessories available for the new Compute on Module?
Doyle: Farnell element14 has launched three products based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module. The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3, the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 Lite and the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 Development Kit. The Compute Module 3 Lite has all the features of the Compute Module 3 except the eMMC flash memory and the SD/eMMC interface pins are available for users to connect their own SD/eMMC devices. The new, cost-effective modules simplify the design process that engineers go through when developing system-on-module (SoM) solutions. Engineers can therefore focus on developing the interfaces to their own I/O boards and application software, simplifying and speeding up the development process. The Development Kit contains the main I/O board to which the SODIMM board of the Compute Module is connected. This board provides all the necessary interface connections that engineers need to develop and test their own prototypes.

New in the Raspberry Pi family: On the right the two Compute Module 3 versions - below the Lite version without eMMC flash memory. On the left, the matching development kit.

© Farnell element 14

What roles do Raspberry Pi products play in the manufacturing or production environment?
Doyle: We expect the Raspberry Pi Compute Module to be used in industrial control, robotics and motor control, medical technology, the automotive industry, power supply, lighting technology, the Internet of Things and measurement technology, among others.

This is also supported by an exclusive worldwide agreement between Farnell element14 and Raspberry Pi Trading for the development and production of customized designs based on the Raspberry Pi platform for OEM customers. This agreement and associated service and manufacturing lines were initiated due to strong customer demand for customized Raspberry Pi boards. Customizations include changes to the board design, integration of additional features, interface redesign and changes to the board and memory configuration. The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 can also be adapted to customer requirements.

What other highlights will Farnell be showcasing at embedded world 2017?
Doyle: One of the interesting things here is cooperation in the area of wearables. The WaRP7 development platform uses NXP semiconductors and has been completely redeveloped with regard to essential challenges in IoT and wearables such as small size, long battery life and good connectivity. The open-source design, together with the WaRP7 software package, enables developers to bring new developments to market quickly without the restrictions of licensing issues.

In addition, the TinyTILE board based on the Intel Curie module was developed in exclusive cooperation with Intel. It is designed for the development of wearables for innovative consumer and industrial products. The module has a very small form factor of only around 35 × 26 mm and runs on a software platform that was created specifically for Intel Curie modules.