What the RevPi Connect 4 Is
The KUNBUS RevPi Connect 4 is a 24 V industrial base module built around the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4). It is the fourth generation of the Revolution Pi Connect line and is designed for IIoT, edge gateway and industrial controller duties. Its compute core is a quad-core Arm Cortex-A72 processor, paired with DDR4 RAM (configurable at 2 GB, 4 GB or 8 GB) and eMMC storage (8 GB or 32 GB), with an optional WLAN variant. The module ships with a customized 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS image that includes a real-time patch and a process image, and Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP are supported as standard. Devices in the Revolution Pi family are developed in accordance with EN 61131-2, and the specified bridging time for voltage dips of at least 10 ms is guaranteed at a 24 V supply within -15% / +20%.
Why Arm-Based Industrial Modules Are Popular
The appeal of a CM4-based industrial module is the combination of a low-power Arm architecture, a large open-source software ecosystem, and a modular I/O concept that lets you add digital, analog and relay expansion modules on a shared backplane. This suits machine builders who want to program in CODESYS, Node-RED or Python, log data locally, and push it to a cloud or SCADA layer over MQTT, OPC UA or Modbus. Typical deployments include production line controllers, building automation gateways, energy monitoring nodes, and retrofit IIoT projects where a DIN-rail device must run unattended for years.
RevPi Connect 4 vs. x86 Industrial PCs: What to Consider
| Consideration | Arm module (CM4-class) | x86 industrial PC (e.g. Core i3) |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Arm Cortex-A72, quad-core | Intel Core i3, 6 cores / 8 threads |
| Memory ceiling | Up to 8 GB DDR4 | 16 GB to 64 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 8/32 GB eMMC | 128 GB to 1 TB SSD |
| OS | Custom 64-bit Raspberry Pi OS | Windows 11 Pro/IoT, Ubuntu, Linux, DOS |
| Software | CODESYS, Node-RED, Python | Full Windows/Linux desktop, SCADA, HMIs, vision |
| Expansion | Modular I/O on backplane | Serial, USB, HDMI, Ethernet, PCIe options |
| Best for | Compact control, edge gateways | Multi-application, database, HMI and vision workloads |
Neither approach is universally better. Arm modules win on power draw, cost and a clean open-source control stack. x86 industrial PCs win when the application needs a full desktop OS, large local databases, multiple high-resolution displays, or heavy data processing at the edge.
Choosing Between the Two
If your project is essentially a PLC replacement with cloud connectivity, a CM4-based module is a natural fit. If your project also needs to run a Windows SCADA package, serve an HMI, store weeks of production data, or handle machine vision, an x86 fanless industrial PC will usually be the more practical single-box solution. Many integrators run both: an Arm module for deterministic control and an x86 IPC for visualization, logging and analytics.
Thinvent Products for Industrial and Edge Computing
Thinvent builds fanless industrial computers, mini PCs, thin clients and all-in-one PCs for factory floors, kiosks and edge deployments. The Thinvent IPC3 range pairs Intel Core i3-1215U processors (6 cores, up to 4.4 GHz, 10 MB cache) with up to 16 GB DDR4 RAM and 1 TB SSD storage, and is offered with Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 IoT Value, DOS, or Thinux embedded Linux. Configurations with quad DB9 serial ports suit PLC, CNC and instrumentation integration, while dual Ethernet and multiple HDMI outputs support gateway and multi-display roles. For lighter edge tasks, Thinvent's Intel N-series mini PCs and thin clients offer low-power, fanless operation, and all-in-one PCs cover shop-floor HMI and point-of-information use. Together they give system integrators an x86 complement — or alternative — to Arm-based industrial modules.
