RevPi Connect

Generally, the only difference between the RevPi Connect variants mentioned above are the built-in Raspberry Pi compute modules.
The exception here is the RevPi Connect SE variant, which does not support the gateway expansion modules.

Although Revolution Pi is an open system on which everyone can install their own software, we have tried to equip Revolution Pi with software and apps that cover most applications. The operating system used is a customized version of Raspbian, which includes a real-time patch of the kernel. In our opinion, this is the best compromise to stay as close as possible to the original development environment of a Raspberry Pi and still get a high control over the priorities of the tasks that the scheduler manages.

The scheduler, which controls the execution of tasks by the operating system, can be extensively configured in this modified kernel so that the delays usually caused by network and other I/O accesses are avoided. Suitable drivers for the expansion modules are of course already pre-installed.

Collecting sensor data, processing it and sending the processed data to a cloud is one of the Revolution Pi’s strengths. Therefore, both the RevPi Core 3+ and the RevPi Connect+ have been certified by Microsoft Azure. The certification ensures that the integration with one of the most important cloud platforms can be done as smoothly and easily as possible.

RevPi Connect already has master and slave capability for the popular Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP network protocols. External gateways are therefore no longer required for these two network protocols. Modbus TCP works with the Ethernet interfaces available on RevPi Connect (i.e. via the RJ45 sockets on the front panel) or any other added Ethernet connection (e.g. USB WLAN adapter) that provides the TCP/IP protocol. Modbus RTU can be realized via the 4-pin RS485 connector on the front panel. The master and slave configuration is controlled via the browser-based, graphical configuration software PiCtory.

Automation Engineers — need the RevPi Connect to integrate and control various automation devices and systems in the production process.

Control Engineers — use the RevPi Connect to monitor and control the production processes and systems, ensuring they run efficiently and effectively.

Maintenance Engineers — use the RevPi Connect to diagnose and resolve technical issues in the production process, reducing downtime and increasing overall productivity.

Interfaces
RevPi Connect features a full range of important interfaces

• Two ethernet ports

Two RJ45 ethernet ports enable the device to be simultaneously integrated within two separated networks.

• RS485 connector

A 4 pole RS485 connector to connect for example a Modbus RTU sensor.

• Two USB connectors

The RevPi Connect is equipped with two USB-A connectors at the front side which can be used for USB 2.0 client devices. Both connectors can drive
up to 500 mA at their 5 V supply pins. Therefore you may plug USB drives or surf sticks directly into these connectors without the need for an active USB hub.

• Micro USB connector

You can connect an USB Host system (usually a PC) with the RevPi Connect using the Micro-USB connector in the middle of the front plate. The RevPi Connect will then boot in passive eMMC access mode and behave like an USB client memory stick. That way you may flash the module for the first time using an image file from a PC.

• Micro HDMI connector

One Micro-HDMI plug, e.g. for connecting a video monitor.

Real industrial su
One of our key goals was to give the Raspberry Pi real industrial capability to turn it into a true IIoT gateway. For this reason, the top-hat rail housing of the RevPi Connect is fitted with robust 24 V industrial hardware that complies with the EN61131-2 standard.

• Power supply: 12-24 V DC -15 % / +20 %
• Operating temperature: -25 °C to 55 °C
• ESD protection: 4 kV/8 kV according to EN 61131-2 and IEC 61000-6-2
• Surge/Burst tests: applied according to EN 61131-2 and IEC 61000-6-2
• EMI tests: according to EN 61131-2 and IEC 61000-6-2
• UL certified (UL-File-No. E494534)

Interfaces

• 2 x RJ45 Ethernet sockets
• 2 x USB 2.0 sockets
• 1 x Micro HDMI socket
• 1 x Micro USB 2.0 socket
• 1 x RS485 screw terminal (4 pole)
• 1 x 24 V input for shutdown signals of a UPS
• 1 x freely programmable relay switching contact
• 1 x PiBridge (for RevPi expansion modules)
• 1 x ConBridge (for RevPi Con expansion modules)

Individual applications can be programmed via, amongst other things,
Node-RED, Python or directly in C. The modular design of the RevPi Connect enables the 45 mm wide base device to be fitted with suitable expansion modules such as digital and analog IOs, fieldbus gateways (not suitable
for RevPi Connect SE) and radio modules like for example ones for Bluetooth. The expansion modules can be joined up – plug and play – with the base device via a socket positioned at the top and can be easily configured using
a graphical user interface.