Sfera Labs Strato Pi Max industrial computer adds RP2040-based power management, dual SD card redundancy, and up to 16x RS-485 ports

We have previously written about EDATEC ED-IPC3100, a Raspberry Pi CM5 industrial computer with a durable metallic case and DIN-rail support. Now, Sfera Labs just introduced the Strato Pi Max, which is also a DIN rail industrial controller built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 (CM5) with improved performance and scalability over previous CM4-based models.

Designed for industrial automation and IoT applications, it features dual Ethernet (Gigabit + 100M), dual USB 2.0 ports with power control, a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller for power management, and optional expansion modules. Expansion options include up to 16x RS-485/RS-422 ports, 4x CAN interfaces, multiple analog and digital I/O, and LTE connectivity.

The controllers come in two variants, the Strato Pi Max XS (1 expansion slot) and the Strato Pi Max XL (4 expansion slots with dual SD storage for redundancy). Security is enhanced with a Microchip ATECC608 crypto chip, and power management includes a hardware watchdog, 10-50V DC input with surge protection, and UPS options for reliable operation. Running on Raspberry Pi OS supports various industrial communication protocols and automation tasks, making it ideal for factory automation, building management systems, and industrial IoT deployments.

Strato Pi Max Raspberry Pi CM5 industrial computer Specifications

• Processor: Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) with Broadcom BCM2711 quad-core Cortex-A72 CPU
• Co-Processor: Raspberry Pi RP2040 for power management and additional control functions
• Memory & Storage:
  • Up to 8GB LPDDR4 RAM (depends on CM4 variant)
  • eMMC storage (on eMMC CM4 variants)
  • Dual microSD card slots with automatic failover
• Networking:
  • 2x Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • Optional 4G/LTE modem support
• Industrial I/O:
  • 16x RS-485 ports (configurable baud rates)
  • 2x CAN bus
  • 8x GPIO
  • 4x digital inputs, 4x digital outputs
• USB & Expansion:
  • 2x USB 2.0 ports
  • 1x USB-C (for power and debugging)
  • 1x PCIe slot (for expansion)
  • 1x M.2 slot (for LTE/Wi-Fi module)
• Display & Audio:
  • 1x HDMI output
  • 1x MIPI DSI for display
  • 1x MIPI CSI for camera
  • 1x Audio output
• Power Management:
  • RP2040-based power control
  • Wide-range input: 9V – 36V DC
  • Built-in UPS with battery backup
  • Watchdog timer
• Security & Authentication:
  • Secure boot support
  • TPM module (optional)
• Operating System: Raspberry Pi OS, Debian, Ubuntu, and other Linux distributions
• Certifications: CE, FCC, RoHS
• Temperature Range: -40°C to 85°C (industrial-grade)

The device supports Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Debian, and other Linux distributions, with built-in drivers for RS-485, CAN, and GPIO. The RP2040 co-processor enables real-time control, while secure boot and optional TPM enhance security. It supports Python, C/C++, Modbus, and MQTT for industrial automation, with OTA updates for remote management. The company also provides API support and extensive documentation to ensure ease of development.

The Strato Pi Max XS starts at €425 ($460) with a CM4 Wireless (2GB/16GB eMMC), while upgrading to a CM5 adds €10 ($11), totaling €435 (~$471). Documentation and purchase links are available on the product page and some more information can be found on there press release page.

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