Notebookcheck Logo

Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3E: New SoM discovered with the chipset from a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W

The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3E is another alternative to the Compute Module 3+, following the Compute Module 4S. (Image source: @PiOCKET)
The Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3E is another alternative to the Compute Module 3+, following the Compute Module 4S. (Image source: @PiOCKET)
A new entry in the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3 series has surfaced online. Known as the Compute Module 3E or the RPI-CM3E-R1, the system-on-module (SoM) features the chipset from the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W and is already shipping in some devices.

In April, it emerged that the Raspberry Pi Foundation has introduced the Compute Module 4S (CM4S), a device that shared more similarities with the Compute Module 3+ (CM3+) than the Compute Module 4 (CM4). However, it turns out that a Compute Module 3E (CM3E) exists too. First mentioned on the Raspberry Pi forums in April, @PiOCKET has since tweeted a picture of the CM3E, embedded below.

While the Raspberry Pi Foundation has not announced the system-on-module (SoM), @PiOCKET received the CM3E in an EV charger supplied by Wallbox. Seemingly, the CM3E is exclusive to commercial and industrial customers, mirroring the availability of the CM4S. For some reason, no one has listed the CM3E yet, let alone confirmed its specifications, unlike the CM4S. Still, the CM3E must measure 67.6 x 31 mm and be compatible with the JEDEC MO-224 specification to be a drop-in replacement for past Compute Modules.

According to the same Raspberry Pi forum post, the CM3+ relies on the Raspberry Pi RP3A0 from the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W. For reference, the Raspberry Pi RP3A0 features the Broadcom BCM2710A1 with four ARM Cortex-A53 cores and a VideoCore IV GPU. Additionally, the SoC is expected to be supported by 512 MB of RAM, 8 GB of eMMC flash storage. Also, the CM3E should feature the following I/O:

  • 1x 4-lane CSI Camera Interface (up to 1 Gbps per lane)
  • 1x 4-lane DSI Display Interface (up to 1 Gbps per lane)
  • 1x 48-pin GPIO
  • 1x DPI (Parallel RGB Display)
  • 1x HDMI
  • 2x I2C, 2x SPI, 2x UART
  • 2x SD/SDIO, 1x NAND interface (SMI)
  • 1x USB 2.0 HOST/OTG

Purchase the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B on Amazon

(Image source: @PiOCKET)
(Image source: @PiOCKET)
(Image source: @PiOCKET)
(Image source: @PiOCKET)
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2022 06 > Raspberry Pi Compute Module 3E: New SoM discovered with the chipset from a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
Alex Alderson, 2022-06-15 (Update: 2022-06-15)