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Raspberry Pi vs. Revolution Pi

Take Prototypes to Production

How does Revolution Pi combine Raspberry Pi's flexibility with industrial quality?

Is the Raspberry Pi suitable for industry?

The classic Raspberry Pi is used in many projects, but mostly in laboratories or for prototyping.

It lacks crucial features for continuous use in demanding environments.

Keep reading to find out what's important in industrial environments.

Raspberry Pi vs. Revolution Pi

To ensure that your software runs smoothly around the clock and in the long term, your hardware must meet certain requirements and standards. An overview:

 Raspberry PiRevolution Pi
Construction

Single-Board-Computer

Raspberry Pi Compute Module-powered, modular industrial PC
Housing

❌ Open board

Robust DIN rail housing

Operating System (OS)Raspberry Pi OSRaspberry Pi OS-based Linux OS with pre-installed applications
Power Supply

Micro USB / USB-C (5 V)

Screw terminals (24 V)

Industry Standards

✔ PLC standard EN61131-2

✔ Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)

✔ UL-certified

Memory

microSD card

Integrated eMMC flash memory

Inputs and OutputsIntegrated GPIOsIndustrial I/O modules + process image
Integration of Industrial ProtocolsLimited possibility✔ Comprehensive protocol support
Real-Time Capability

✔ Real-time capable operating system
(real-time patch)

Temperature Range

0  °C to 40  °C

-25  °C to +55  °C

Protection Against Electrical & Electromagnetic Interference From Other Devices✔ EMC-tested (IEC 61000-6-2 and -6-4)

From Prototype to Production

How do these industry standards ensure reliable, continuous operation in professional applications across industries?

Raspberry Pi Compute Module

The System-on-Module forms the industrial-grade basis for Revolution Pi. It was specially developed and certified for industrial applications.

  • Field-tested since 2014
  • Currently in the 5th product generation
  • Long-term availability until 2036*
     

*valid for the Compute Module 5 used in the RevPi Connect 5

Hardware and Housing

The Raspberry Pi Compute Module is integrated into our customized carrier board:

  • Industrial robust interfaces
  • Protection circuits against overvoltage and short circuit

This design protects your system. Thanks to its DIN rail housing, you can easily mount the Revolution Pi in the control cabinet.

Industrial-Grade Power Supply

The Revolution Pi works with 24 V via vibration-proof screw terminals, a decisive advantage over connectors that are susceptible to interference.

The wide-range input (10.8 to 28.8 V DC) tolerates voltage fluctuations that can occur in industrial networks.

This way, your application always runs smoothly.

Reliable Memory

Instead of error-prone microSD cards, the Revolution Pi uses the eMMC memory integrated on the Compute Module.

This minimizes the risk of data corruption and unplanned system failures during productive use.

  • The eMMC memory ensures a stable system start.
  • Revolution Pi offers up to 32 GB of eMMC memory for application and cached data.

Inputs and Outputs in Industrial Quality

Our RevPi Connect and RevPi Core models can be expanded with up to 10 industrial-grade RevPi I/O Modules:

  • 24 V signal level
  • EMC protection against interference from other devices
  • Galvanically isolated

Galvanic isolation ensures that your Revolution Pi system is electrically isolated from field devices such as sensors and actuators.

This protects your system from voltage carryover, which can lead to malfunctions or damage.

Software

Open for Your Tech Stack

With our operating system, you stay flexible. Revolution Pi's modified Debian Linux image is similar to Raspberry Pi OS.

You can easily transfer your Raspberry Pi application to Revolution Pi.

Discover our Software Platform

Industry Standards: Control and Communica­tion

Process Image Instead of GPIO Access

Instead of accessing GPIOs directly as with the Raspberry Pi, the Revolution Pi uses a central process image:

  • Bundles all signal states of the in- and outputs in one place
  • Similar to industrial controllers
  • Configures itself automatically when you set up your RevPi I/O modules in PiCtory.

Your software accesses all I/Os via a standardized interface. This means you can easily run multiple processes in parallel.

Communication via Industry Protocols

With Revolution Pi, you integrate devices easily and save time during system integration.

Revolution Pi supports many industrial protocols:

  • MQTT, OPC UA
  • Modbus TCP, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, EtherCAT
  • Modbus RTU, PROFIBUS
  • Others can be integrated via CODESYS

You can communicate directly with serial field devices via the RS485 interface of our RevPi Connect and RevPi Flat models.

Real-Time Operating System

A real-time patch in the Linux kernel of our operating system ensures deterministic response times even under load.

This makes Revolution Pi the ideal platform for time-critical, precise process control.

Temperature-Resistant and Fanless

The Revolution Pi runs reliably even at temperatures from -25 °C to +55 °C.

  • Fanless design with heat sink
  • No moving wearing parts
  • No dust intake

This ensures the longevity of your Revolution Pi in demanding environments. The average operating time (MTBF value) is 30.7 years at 25°C.*

 

*Applies to the RevPi Connect 4

Discover the Revolution Pi Series

Find the perfect Revolution Pi for your project: choose between cost-efficient compact devices and high-end systems, models for the control cabinet and the house sub-distribution.

RevPi Core mounted on DIN rail

Compact Controller

RevPi Core

  • Compact and cost-efficient
  • Perfect for limited space in the switch cabinet
  • Expandable with I/Os and gateways

from €247.00
excl. tax

RevPi Connect mounted on DIN rail

Advanced IIoT & automation

RevPi Connect

  • Wide range of variants
  • Perfect for high-performance applications
  • Connects IT and OT systems (machines & systems)
  • Expandable with I/Os and gateways

from €389.00
excl. tax

RevPi Flat mounted on DIN rail

IIoT & I/O for domestic sub-distribution

RevPi Flat

  • Compact device for domestic sub-distribution boards
  • Tailor-made for the energy sector
  • Integrated I/Os

from €415.00
excl. tax

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Raspberry Pi good for industrial use?
Where is the Raspberry Pi used in industry?
What is the industrial alternative for the Raspberry Pi?
Can I transfer my Raspberry Pi prototype to Revolution Pi?
Can the Industrial Raspberry Pi replace a PLC?
What is eMMC on the Raspberry Pi?

Is Raspberry Pi good for industrial use?

 

Only to a limited extent. For your software to run reliably in demanding industrial environments, the hardware must meet certain requirements: from a reliable power supply and safe inputs and outputs to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).

The Industrial Raspberry Pi, Revolution Pi, is better suited for long-term, stable operation.

Where is the Raspberry Pi used in industry?

 

Raspberry Pi is often used in development and prototyping. There it is helpful for quickly testing software functions or interfaces.

For permanent use in machines or systems, you should transfer your application to the Industrial Raspberry Pi: Revolution Pi.

What is the industrial alternative to Raspberry Pi?

 

Revolution Pi is the industrial alternative to Raspberry Pi: an open, modular industrial PC based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module.

Unlike the standard Raspberry Pi, Revolution Pi complies with important industry standards:

Industry standards:

  • PLC standard EN61131-2
  • Tested electromagnetic compatibility (EMC standards IEC 61000-6-2 and -6-4)
  • Operating temperature: -25°C to +55°C
  • Average operating time (MTBF value): 30.7 years*

Industrial-grade hardware:

Industrial-grade software:

  • Process image for the status data of connected sensors, actuators and fieldbus devices
  • Support for industrial protocols
  • Real-time capability (real-time patch)
  • Operating system: Modified Debian Linux image

The operating system is very similar to the Raspberry Pi OS. This allows you to quickly transfer Raspberry Pi prototypes to an industrial-grade platform.

 

*applies to the RevPi Connect 4

Can I transfer my Raspberry Pi prototype to Revolution Pi?

 

Yes, you can transfer your Raspberry Pi application without much effort. The Revolution Pi operating system is also a Debian Linux image, and similar to Raspberry Pi OS.

Therefore, you can quickly transfer your existing software to the Revolution Pi, a hardware platform made for industrial use.

Can the Industrial Raspberry Pi replace a PLC?

 

Yes, with Revolution Pi and CODESYS, you can easily replace a classic soft PLC. The Industrial Raspberry Pi combines the reliability of EN 61131-2 (PLC standard) with the openness of a Linux system.

You can program in IEC 61131-3 programming languages such as ST, KOP, FUP, or use familiar tools such as Python and Node-RED.

Thanks to the real-time operating system and central process image, you can control Revolution Pi like a classic PLC – only more flexibly.

You can quickly integrate Revolution Pi into existing systems via RevPi I/O modules and protocols such as PROFINET, EtherCAT, Modbus, and MQTT.

What is eMMC on the Raspberry Pi?

 

eMMC is a soldered flash memory, much more robust and durable than microSD cards.

Normal Raspberry Pis do not have this memory. Revolution Pi, on the other hand, uses eMMC as standard because it is more reliable, especially in continuous operation.