Raspberry Pi CM5 industrial computer features RS485/RS232/CAN Bus/DIO interfaces, dual Ethernet, optional 4G/5G cellular module

Waveshare IPCBOX-CM5 is an industrial-grade mini computer built around the Raspberry Pi CM5, featuring RS485, RS232, CAN Bus, and DI/DO terminal blocks, dual Ethernet, an M.2 socket for NVMe SSDs or AI accelerators, and a wide 7V to 36V DC power input.

The system is compatible with all CM5 variants and integrates GbE and 2.5GbE ports, a 4K-capable HDMI video output, multiple USB 3.2/2.0 ports, and an M.2 B-Key slot plus a Nano-SIM card slot for 4G LTE/5G cellular modules. Other features include microSD card support for Raspberry Pi CM5 Lite models, a PWM fan header, a buzzer, an audio jack, an RTC battery header, and a speaker connector. Housed in an aluminum alloy case with heat-dissipation fins, the unit also supports DIN-rail and VESA mounting for industrial control, IoT gateways, smart factory systems, network appliances, and remote monitoring deployments.

Waveshare IPCBOX-CM5 Specifications:

• Compatibility – Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5 and CM5 Lite)
• Storage
  • M.2 M-Key slot for NVMe SSD  (See Expansion section)
  • MicroSD card slot for Raspberry Pi CM5 Lite only
  • Onboard EEPROM
• Display and Camera interfaces
  • HDMI 2.0 port supporting up to 4K output
  • 2x MIPI DSI/CSI mixed interfaces (internal ports seen on photos, no openings in the metal case, and not confirmed by the company)
• Networking
  • Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 port
  • 2.5GbE RJ45 port
  • Optional WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 on Raspberry Pi CM5
  • Optional 4G LTE/5G cellular connectivity via M.2 B-Key slot and Nano SIM card slot
  • 2x antenna holes
• Audio
  • 3.5 mm audio jack (input/output with microphone support)
  • PH2.0 speaker header supporting 8Ω 5W speaker
  • Digital audio output via HDMI
  • Built-in buzzer
• USB
  • 1× USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A port (5 Gbps)
  • 3× USB 2.0 ports
  • 1x USB Type-C port for firmware flashing
• Serial via terminal block
  • 4x RS485 (IPCBOX-CM5-A)
  • 2x RS485 + 2x RS232 (IPCBOX-CM5-B)
• Industrial I/Os via terminal block
  • 1x CAN (up to 1Mbps)
  • 2x Digital Inputs
  • 2x Digital Outputs
• Misc
  • Power and Boot buttons
  • Power and network status LEDs
  • RTC battery header
  • 4-pin PWM fan header
  • Encryption chip
  • 120Ω termination jumper for RS485/CAN
  • Mounting – DIN-rail and VESA mounting support (aluminum alloy industrial case with heatsink fins)
• Power Supply
  • 7V–36V via DC jack (5.5×2.1mm)
  • 5V/5A via USB Type-C port
• Dimensions – 136 × 92 × 39.5 mm
• Weight – TBD

The company does not mention anything about software, and as is often the case, the wiki is still under development. However, as we have written about similar Raspberry Pi CM5-based carrier boards from Waveshare like the CM5-DUAL-ETH-4G/5G-BASE, the CM5-DUAL-ETH-BASE, and CM5-NANO-B, we can assume the industrial computer will support Raspberry Pi OS, potentially with some additional drivers, and features such as PCIe M.2, fan control, DSI/CSI interfaces, and RTC, to be configured through the /boot/config.txt file. Waveshare will likely provide detailed instructions for setting up hwclock for the RTC, NVMe boot, and more.

The IPCBOX-CM5 is available on AliExpress for $111.59, where the price is the same for both the A and B variants. You’ll also find both models on the Waveshare store for $99.99, and it might become available on the company’s Amazon store in the coming days.

In the box, you will get the IPCBOX-CM5 metal case with the CM5-IPC-BASE baseboard, a 12V 4A power supply with a 15 cm power adapter cable, black nylon spacers, a screws pack, and a screwdriver. The package also includes 6-pin and 4-pin 3.5 mm-pitch double-layer terminal blocks, a rail-mount buckle, and pink thermal tape for heat dissipation. Note you’d need to purchase a Raspberry Pi CM5 module separately.

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