Ochin V2 tiny Raspberry Pi CM4 robotics carrier board gets micro HDMI port, Fast Ethernet support

Ochin V2 is an update to the tiny Ochin Raspberry Pi CM4 carrier board for robotics applications and drones that adds a micro HDMI port, support for Fast Ethernet through pads or a GHS connector (no RJ45 connector), two user LEDs, and a few other changes.

The form factor remains the same at just 55 x 40 x 4.7mm, or about the size of a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, which in combination with a range of USB, UART, I2C, and SPI interfaces, makes it an ideal candidate for space-constrained applications such as robotics system or UAVs.

Ochin V2 specifications (differences against Ochin v1 shown in bold or strikethrough):

• Supported modules – Raspberry Pi CM4 with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 processor, up to 8GB RAM, up to 32GB eMMC flash (the CM4 Lite is not supported since there’s no microSD card on the board), 4Kp60 H.265 decode, 1080p30 H.264 encode, and optional WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0
• Video Output – Micro HDMI connector
• Camera I/F – 1x 4-lane MIPI CSI connector, 1x 2-lane MIPI CSI connector
• Networking – 6-pin SPI GHS connector or soldering pads for 10/100M Ethernet (See pinout diagram below)
• USB – 1x USB 2.0 Type-C port available through a small external board with RGB LED, button, and a USB Type-C port
  
• I/Os
  • 4x USB 2.0 GHS connectors
  • 6-pin SPI GHS connector (Shared with 10/100M Ethernet)
  • 4-pin I2C GHS connector
  • GHS Connector with UART 0/1 (only one interface selectable), composite video out, 5V, 3.3V, and GND
  • UART 3/5 GHS connector (both interfaces) replaced by USB ext GHS connector with USB 2.0, I2C, nRPIBoot, VOTG, 3.3V, and GND
    
  • USART4/5 GHS connector
  • 14-pin expansion header with 2x UART, composite video out, Vin-/Vin+, GNS
• Misc
  • Boot mode button
  • IN219 current sensor
  • Current limiter bypass
  • 2x general-purpose LEDs
• Power Supply
  • 7.5V to 28V via DC power supply
  • 2S to 6S LiPo battery
  • DC-DC regulator that provides up to 7Amp
• Dimensions – 55 x 40 x 4.7mm

The Ochin V2, also called Ochin CM4v2, is designed to work with OpenHD open-source software that makes it possible to transmit an HD video stream with low latency from a mobile station such as a rover, a drone, a plane, etc… to a ground station. A web interface is also provided to simplify the configuration and management of the CM4 module. As for the Ochin V1, a Raspberry Pi CM4’s heatsink is recommended.

Like its predecessor, the Ochin V2 board is partially open-source with the KiCad PDF schematics and 3D models for accessories such as camera mounts and an extractor for the CM4 module available on Github along with documentation and some Python scripts.

The Ochin V2 Raspberry Pi CM4 robotics carrier board is sold on Seeed Studio for $59.99, or the same price as the Ochin V1 which has now reached end-of-life status.

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.

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