Industrial-grade version of the Raspberry Pi
"The more performance, the more use cases"
The new version 4 of the open source IPC "Revolution Pi" (RevPi) from Kunbus is set to be launched in mid-2023 as an industrial-grade version of the Raspberry Pi. A total of five variants will be available, including the RevPi Connect 4 designed for IIoT connectivity. Ekkehard Krebs, Head of Marketing at Kunbus, explains the background in an interview with Andreas Knoll, WEKA Fachmedien.
What has changed technically in the RevPi 4 compared to the previous version?
In short, the RevPi 4 offers a significant increase in performance on several levels. Like its predecessors RevPi S and RevPi SE, which are based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4S and are therefore an intermediate step between the previous RevPi 3+ and the future RevPi 4, the RevPi 4 benefits from the more powerful Arm Cortex A72 CPU of the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. In addition, we now have access to up to 8 GB of RAM memory. Previously there was only 1 GB. And native WLAN and a Gigabit Ethernet interface are now also integrated. The PiBridge - the plug-and-play connection between the individual modules - has a successor in the form of the PiBridge 2, which enables data transfer in the gigabit range and significantly reduces cycle times. There will be a total of five different variants for the launch of the new series, which differ in terms of eMMC flash memory, RAM and WiFi connectivity. Our aim is to provide the most suitable solution for individual requirements. We are trying to provide practicable variants.
Why was it necessary to insert an intermediate step between the RevPi 3+ and the RevPi 4?
The global semiconductor crisis has of course not spared the Revolution Pi. The market launch of the RevPi 4 was originally planned for 2022, but had to be postponed again and again due to supply difficulties. Because Raspberry Pi Ltd. was unable to deliver its new Compute Module in sufficient quantities, it offered the Compute Module 4S as a faster alternative to the Compute Module 4: a module in the form factor of the Module 3+, on which the Arm Cortex A72 processor of the Compute Module 4 is installed. While the RevPi S is compatible with all Kunbus expansion modules, including the fieldbus gateways, the RevPi SE can only be expanded with I/O modules and, in the RevPi Connect version, with special Con modules.
What are the specific advantages of the RevPi 4's higher performance for customers?
The increased performance benefits customers who need as much computing power as possible for their projects. The RAM bottleneck has finally been eliminated with Compute Module 4. This enables new use cases that require faster computing. This update is particularly interesting for interested parties who had to do without the RevPi simply because of the computing power. The integrated WLAN also simplifies wireless data transfer. Additional WLAN interfaces such as WLAN sticks are no longer required, which reduces costs and susceptibility to errors. Existing expansion modules can still be used. During further development, we have attached great importance to backwards compatibility.
Does the RevPi Connect 4 target the applications of the previous versions or (also) others? Which ones?
We always struggle with the question of specific applications. In principle, inspired by the Raspberry Pi, we want to enable as many use cases as possible by making the platform open and modular. We optimize with regard to common industrial requirements, but we are also constantly discovering new, individual use cases, and this is what makes development so exciting. For example, the RevPi Flat, a non-modular version for major customers in the energy management sector, was created. The exchange with our customers shows that the most common use cases are currently in data management, particularly in connection with the retrofitting of production systems. Thanks to its openness, any external hardware and software platforms can be easily linked, which simplifies the addition. The RevPi is also often used to automate systems. It is regularly used as a small controller, which will now be the case even more frequently with the new performance.
How popular has the concept of using the Revolution Pi, which is designed for industrial applications, instead of the standard Raspberry Pi or similar products in industrial applications been so far?
I think the fact that there are currently more than 100,000 of our devices on the market speaks for itself. In addition, the number of customers who have OEM devices based on the Revolution Pi developed by us is constantly increasing. In discussions with interested parties, the need for a simple and open system without a vendor lock is confirmed time and again. Our industrial Raspberry Pi is the versatile hardware solution that is in demand for simple applications, such as small controllers or IPCs. If available, the last skepticism falls away when we talk about the fulfilled industrial standards. And the fact that other IPC and controller manufacturers have recently followed suit also shows that we were ahead of the times when the RevPi entered the market six years ago. In the meantime, there are several imitators who have jumped on the bandwagon or at least advertise with open systems.
What are the differences between the RevPi Core and the RevPi Connect?
Both are basic modules that can be expanded with I/Os or gateway modules. We recommend a RevPi Core above all if many expansion modules are required. It can be upgraded with up to ten modules, while only six modules are possible on the RevPi Connect, depending on the required protocols. We always recommend the RevPi Connect when creating separate networks because it provides two Ethernet sockets. This is usually required for IT security reasons. There are also the RevPi S and RevPi SE series mentioned above, which are available as both Core and Connect. The SE variant was specially developed due to the lack of components and does not support gateway expansion modules. This means that some components that are difficult to obtain can be saved and we can supply customers who do not require gateway expansion modules more quickly.
What roadmap is Kunbus pursuing with the Revolution Pi for the foreseeable future?
As mentioned, we want to enable as many of the common industrial and IIoT use cases as possible by keeping the platform flexible, open and modular. Specifically, in terms of hardware, the focus is on the final development of the new I/O expansion modules, which can then utilize all the advantages of the PiBridge 2. Ultimately, we are developing the Revolution Pi for anyone who has their solution in mind and needs a suitable platform for it or is looking for a platform that provides added value in an existing ecosystem. To this end, we regularly evaluate which expansion modules are still required or should be added. We are also continuously working on advancing the peripherals around the compute module. Because in industry, the more performance, the more use cases.
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