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Quickstart

This Quickstart guide is intended to show the first steps to do with a new Pi-Tron CM4 device to get it up and running.

pi-tron-cm4-top

Prerequisites for the development computer

  • Programs needed for Pi-Tron CM4 with CM4 Lite module (SD Card only):

    • The Raspberry Pi Imager program, to write an image to the an SD card.
      • Visit https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/ to get the program, if not installed already.
      • Any other SD card writing program can be used, if you feel more comfortable in doing so. We recommend using the RPi Imager.

  • Programs needed for Pi-Tron CM4 devices with CM4 and eMMC onboard memory:

  • Newer versions of the Raspberry Pi OS requires the user creating the initial SD card or writing the system to eMMC memory to choose a username and password at the time of writing the image to the medium or the information has to be entered during first boot of the system, which requires a keyboard, mouse and monitor to be connected to the Pi-Tron CM4.

  • An active Internet connection to install additional software or update the Raspberry Pi OS.

Used Hardware

  • min. 8 GB micro-SD card or min. 8 GB onboard eMMC memory

    • Pi-Tron CM4 devices with a CM4 and onboard eMMC memory, see the eMMC how-to page as well

  • mini-USB-B to USB-A cable

  • USB card reader
  • USB-Serial adapter
  • Power supply should be 24V (+/-20%) at least 400mA (in scope of delivery)
  • Network infrastructure with dhcp server and network cable to establish a connection between the Pi-Tron CM4, the Internet and the host

Alternate Hardware

  • HDMI Monitor
  • USB Keyboard and Mouse

Writing an image to the SD card

  • Download and install the Raspberry Pi Imager program.
  • Connect the card reader with the micro SD card to the development computer.

  • Start the Raspberry Pi Imager. rpi-imager-program

  • Choose a Raspberry Pi device

  • Choose an image or select your own
  • Choose an SD card
  • Click on Next to customize the image
  • Click Edit Settings to make the following changes
    • pre-set a username and passwort
    • enable the SSH server, needed for remote network login
    • pre-configure Wi-Fi settings, if only Wi-Fi access is available
    • change the default hostname
    • and more...
  • It is recommend pre-setting a username and password as well as enabling the SSH server. This way the Pi-Tron CM4 can be booted headless.
  • Click Save and then Yes.
  • Click Yes again to confirm to write the image to the SD card.
  • Once the write process has finished, the removable media is ejected automatically.

Writing an image to eMMC memory

  • Pi-Tron CM4 devices with a CM4 and onboard eMMC memory need extra steps before an image can be written to the onboard memory. See the eMMC how-to page for more information on this topic.

Configure the Image

  • If modifications to the Pi-Tron CM4 configuration are needed right away, unplug the card reader from the development computer and re-plug it to mount the SD card again.
  • Open the boot drive of the SD card.
  • Edit the config.txt file to configure the Raspberry Pi's settings as needed.

Connect to the Board

- via Debug-UART

  • Put the micro SD card into the Pi-Tron CM4. On models with eMMC memory no SD card is needed.
  • Connect the USB-Serial Adaptor to the development computer and connect the Pi-Tron CM4 with the mini-USB cable to the USB-Serial Adapter.
  • Also have a look at the How-To Debug Console page for more information.
  • Connect the power supply and turn it on.
  • Open a program like TeraTerm or Putty on the Windows host, or screen on Linux and connect to the Pi-Tron CM4 with the right serial port and a baud rate of 115200 and no parity (8N1).

- via Ethernet

  • Put the micro SD card into the Pi-Tron. On models with eMMC memory no SD card is needed.

  • Connect the ethernet port (eth0 or LAN 1) to your local network.
    Depending on your infrastructure you can connect to the board via LAN or you can plug the ethernet cable directly into the host computer (e.g. via USB Ethernet adaptor), don't forget the DHCP-Server.

    • Have a look at the How-To Ethernet page for placement and naming of the ethernet ports.

  • Connect the power supply and turn it on.
    In general, when power is supplied, the device will boot from SD card or eMMC memory. Look at your DHCP server's (your router's) dhcp IP address lease table to find the IP address of the Pi-Tron CM4.

  • Open TeraTerm or Putty on the Windows host, or screen on Linux and connect to the Pi-Tron CM4 using it's IP address. You should now see the login prompt.

- via Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse

  • Put the micro SD card into the Pi-Tron. On models with eMMC memory no SD card is needed.
  • Connect the Monitor via HDMI to the Pi-Tron CM4.
  • Connect Keyboard and Mouse via USB.
    • Consult the How-To USB page on how to pre-configure the USB ports, if the chosen Raspberry Pi OS is older then Raspberry Pi OS Bullseye.
  • Connect the power supply.
    In general, when power is supplied, the device will boot from SD card or eMMC memory. Watch the boot log on the Monitor until finally you will see the Raspbian desktop or the console which ever image you chose at the beginning.
  • Optional
    • Connect the Ethernet port to your local network.
      Depending on your infrastructure you can connect to the board via LAN or you plug the ethernet cable directly into the host computer (e.g. via USB Ethernet adapter), don't forget the DHCP-Server.
    • Connecting the Pi-Tron CM4 to a network with Internet access, allows you to install additional software and updates.
    • Have a look at the How-To Ethernet page for placement and naming of the ethernet ports.

Configuring the Board

  • Login with the pre-set credentials, set in the Raspberry Pi Imager or entered during first boot.
    • For more information have a look at this blog post.
  • Set network settings temporarily with ifconfig or permanently by editing /etc/dhcpcd.conf.
  • Use the program raspi-config or edit the /boot/config.txt file to configure and enable additional components of the Pi-Tron CM4 as needed.
  • Take an in-depth look at all available how-to pages in the navigation to get the most out of the Pi-Tron CM4.