Sfera Labs Announces Open Module Specification as Production Begins

Sfera Labs, based in Italy, has announced the commencement of production for its innovative Strato Pi Max and has revealed plans to share the specifications for its modules with other companies interested in developing their own boards. Ulderico Arcidiaco, the CEO and founder of Sfera Labs, expressed excitement about the launch, stating, “We are starting to ship the Strato Pi Max based on the CM4 now and the CM5 when it becomes available.”

Arcidiaco further elaborated, “We are going to release both the mechanical and electrical specifications for other companies who may want to develop their own board for customers to add in.” Additionally, Sfera Labs will provide a development board for the module, enabling customization with through-hole or SMD components. The board features a connector, a 5V to 3.3 LDO regulator, and a one-wire EEPROM for identification purposes, allowing seamless integration without requiring power from the board itself.

The Strato Pi Max, which incorporates the Raspberry Pi CM4S core, joins the Iono Pi Max industrial I/O module lineup from Sfera Labs. Retaining key features such as a watchdog, isolated RS-485 port, and USB ports with independent power control and fault detection, the Strato Pi Max represents a significant advancement in the Strato Pi family.

According to Arcidiaco, “This is the culmination of everything we have learned over the years with the Strato Pi.” He explained the evolution from the original Strato Pi model to the Iono Pi Max with expanded functionalities, leading to the current modular framework that offers flexibility akin to PC expansion cards. The Strato Pi Max is available in two versions: one with four slots and another with a single slot, providing users with diverse configuration options.

Featuring a unique mechanical format designed for efficient use of space and secure mounting, the Strato Pi Max supports various expansion boards, including options for wireless connectivity, storage, and additional interfaces like serial and CAN bus. The modular design allows for up to four embedded expansion boards, enhancing the device's capabilities for diverse industrial applications.