DESCRIPTION
An industrial Raspberry Pi
Strato Pi Base enhances the Raspberry Pi computer with several hardware features to make it suitable for use in industrial and professional applications where reliability and service continuity are key requirements.
It is compliant with the low voltage and EMC CE directives, as well as the harmonised standards for electromagnetic compatibility, electrical safety, emission and the RoHS directive for hazardous substances. It is also compliant with the applicable FCC rules and IC standards.
FEATURES
Mounting and Enclosure
Designed for industrial installations, this unit is enclosed in a compact 4-module DIN-rail mountable case. It offers convenient access to power and serial interfaces through a reliable screw terminal block.
Power Supply
Engineered to perform under demanding conditions, the power stage supports a wide 9–28V DC input range and features robust protection mechanisms:
- Surge and reverse polarity protection
- 2.2A resettable fuse for added safety
- Provides up to 4.0A to the Raspberry Pi’s 5V power input at 24V DC
Serial Interfaces
The system includes standard RS-232 and RS-485 serial ports connected directly to the Raspberry Pi. These interfaces are:
- Opto-isolated for electrical separation
- Protected against electrostatic discharge, ensuring safe and reliable data communication
Security and Reliability
Built to support mission-critical applications, this unit integrates several hardware-based safety and security features:
- Independent hardware watchdog controlled via GPIO for automatic recovery from system hangs
- Real-time clock (RTC) with replaceable backup battery to keep accurate time during power loss
- Optional Microchip ATECC608A/B secure element for cryptographic operations
- Integrated bootloader enabling firmware upgrades directly from the Raspberry Pi
- Optional SPBF10X fan for temperature-controlled active cooling
Additional Features
To enhance usability and system monitoring, the device also includes:
- Buzzer controlled through GPIO for custom alerts or feedback
- LEDs that indicate power status and serial line activity
Embedded Raspberry Pi Interfaces
Leverages the full connectivity of the Raspberry Pi platform, including:
- 1 × Ethernet port
- 4 × USB ports
- 1 × HDMI (Raspberry Pi 3+) or 2 × Micro HDMI (Raspberry Pi 4)
- 1 × microSD card slot
- 1 × audio/composite video jack
- Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth/BLE
HIGHLIGHT
Power Supply
A stable and robust power supply is essential for ensuring reliable 24/7 performance in industrial environments. Unlike typical USB chargers, which are designed for mobile devices, this system is built to handle continuous loads, noise, ripple, and voltage fluctuations.
The device supports a wide input range from 9 to 28V DC and includes extensive protection features:
- High-efficiency step-down voltage converter (~95%) delivering up to 3A continuously
- Protection against overcurrent, overvoltage, and thermal shutdown
- Reverse polarity protection via resettable fuses
- Surge protection up to ±500V (1.2/50μs, 2Ω)
The power input stage includes oversized capacitors, inductors, and diodes to ensure long-term durability in harsh conditions.
Real-Time Clock (RTC)
To keep accurate time even without internet access, this controller includes a battery-backed real-time clock. It is connected to the Raspberry Pi via the I²C bus and based on the Microchip MCP79410 chip, which offers advanced clock and calendar functions.
When main power is lost, the system automatically switches to a CR1025 lithium battery, ensuring continuous timekeeping. In always-powered environments, the battery is expected to last over 10 years.
Serial Interfaces
RS-232 and RS-485 interfaces are still widely used in industrial automation. This system includes fully isolated and protected serial ports, directly connected to the Raspberry Pi.
To avoid failures caused by ground loops, the serial circuitry is opto-isolated using:
- A high-efficiency isolated DC-DC converter
- Three high-speed opto-couplers
An onboard microcontroller automatically manages RS-485 data direction based on baud rate and frame length—no extra configuration needed. Communication is seamless via standard TX/RX pins.
Hardware Watchdog
Unattended systems need a reliable way to recover from software failures. This device includes a fully independent hardware watchdog circuit, controlled via GPIO pins.
In the event of a system hang, the watchdog resets the Raspberry Pi automatically, helping restore operation without user intervention. Unlike the internal Raspberry Pi watchdog, this solution runs on the device's own microcontroller, ensuring high reliability.