FAQ
General Questions
What is Revolution Pi, and how does it differ from a standard Raspberry Pi?
Revolution Pi is an open, modular industrial PC (IPC) based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module. Unlike the standard Raspberry Pi, Revolution Pi is designed to meet industrial standards like IEC 61131-2, ensuring reliable performance in industrial environments.
See: Use Cases.
What makes Revolution Pi industrially compatible, and which standards does it meet?
Revolution Pi is built to comply with industrial standards, including IEC 61131-2, ensuring robustness, durability, and reliable performance in harsh industrial conditions. Its modular design allows seamless integration into existing industrial systems.
See: Revolution Pi Series.
Does Revolution Pi have GPIO pins like a standard Raspberry Pi?
No, Revolution Pi does not have GPIO pins. Instead, it supports various I/O modules that provide digital, analog, and relay input/output options, making it suitable for industrial applications. These modules include RevPi DIO, DI, DO (digital), AIO (analog), MIO (combined), and RO (relay output).
See: RevPi I/O Modules.
How do I establish a network connection and access my Revolution Pi via SSH?
-
Network Connection: Connect your Revolution Pi to the network using an Ethernet cable. Open your browser and navigate to
<http://revpi1234.local>
, replacing1234
with your device’s serial number. -
SSH Access:
-
macOS: Open Terminal and type
ssh pi@revpi<SERIAL-NUMBER>.local
. Enter the password from the sticker on the device. -
Windows 10/11: Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run the same command.
-
Windows 7: Use PuTTY and connect to
revpi<SERIAL-NUMBER>.local
. Ensure your computer and the Revolution Pi are on the same network.
-
See: Establishing a Network Connection.
Technical and Hardware Questions
Which operating systems are supported by Revolution Pi?
Revolution Pi comes with a customized version of Raspberry Pi OS with a real-time kernel patch and process image for easy I/O management.
See: RevPi Images.
You can find the latest image in the download section.
What I/O modules are available for Revolution Pi, and how do I use them?
Revolution Pi offers several I/O modules:
-
Digital I/O Modules: RevPi DIO, RevPi DI, RevPi DO
-
Analog I/O Modules: RevPi AIO
-
Combined Analog & Digital I/O Module: RevPi MIO
-
Relay Output Module: RevPi RO
These modules can be attached to extend the input/output capabilities of the Revolution Pi system and are designed for easy integration and configuration.
See: RevPi I/O-Modules.
Which communication protocols does Revolution Pi support?
Revolution Pi supports the following communication protocols:
-
Ethernet (for Modbus TCP)
-
RS485 (for Modbus RTU)
-
OPC-UA
-
MQTT
These protocols make it easy to connect Revolution Pi to industrial networks and IoT systems.
How can I integrate Revolution Pi into existing industrial networks?
Revolution Pi can be integrated into industrial networks using protocols like Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC-UA, and MQTT. RevPi Gates can be used to connect different network protocols for seamless integration with other industrial systems.
See: Tutorials Industrial Communication.
How can I connect Revolution Pi to Modbus networks (TCP/RTU)?
Revolution Pi supports Modbus TCP over Ethernet and Modbus RTU via RS485. You can configure Modbus communication through the system’s settings or specialized software that interacts with Modbus devices.
See: Tutorials Industrial Communication.
What are the available communication gateways for Revolution Pi, and how do they work?
RevPi Gate is a gateway solution consisting of two components that master specific protocols, allowing communication between different industrial networks. Currently available slave gateway components include:
-
RevPi Gate PROFINET
-
RevPi Gate EtherNet/IP
-
RevPi Gate EtherCAT
-
RevPi Gate PROFIBUS
See: RevPi Gateways.
How do I connect Revolution Pi to a cloud platform?
Revolution Pi supports integration with cloud platforms like Cumulocity IoT, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). Depending on your use case, protocols such as MQTT and OPC-UA can be used to securely and efficiently transmit data to the cloud for real-time monitoring and analysis.
See: Tutorials IoT Cloud.
Software and Configuration
How can I update the software or firmware on my Revolution Pi?
See: Updates.
How many RevPi IO Modules can I connect to a RevPi?
See: Rules for the Arrangement of Devices.
Programming and Configuration
Which programming languages are compatible with Revolution Pi for industrial automation?
Revolution Pi supports:
- Node-RED for visual programming
- Python for scripting and automation
- C/C++ for performance-critical applications
Additionally, it supports IEC 61131-3 standards and platforms like CODESYS for PLC programming. You can develop applications directly on the device or through external development environments.
See: Tutorials I/O Programming
How do I configure LAN and Wi-Fi on my Revolution Pi?
-
LAN:
▷ Usenmtui
to set a static IP. Refer to this guide. -
Wi-Fi Setup:
▷ Usenmtui
ornmcli
to configure Wi-Fi from the terminal.▷ Or, use the graphical interface to connect.
See:
-
WLAN and BT (RevPi Connect 5)
-
WLAN and BT (RevPi Connect 4)
What should I do if I can't log in to PiCtory on the browser?
▷ Try opening the browser in Incognito Mode.
▷ Clear the browser cache if the problem persists.
Applications and Use Cases
How do I install CODESYS Control Linux ARM SL on Revolution Pi, and what should I consider regarding licensing?
▷ Install via CODESYS Deploy Tool(Tools -> Update Linux ARM 64).
▷ Ensure you use the correct runtime version for your system (32-bit or 64-bit).
▷ Without a valid license, the system runs for 2 hours without functional restrictions.
See: Software CODESYS.
Are my existing licenses valid if I switch from "CODESYS Control for Raspberry Pi" to "CODESYS Control Linux ARM SL"?
No, licenses for "CODESYS Control for Raspberry Pi" are not valid for "CODESYS Control Linux ARM SL". Contact CODESYS for new licenses.
How can I create a custom image for my Revolution Pi?
You can create a custom image using the Image Bakery GitHub repository. Follow the tutorial to build a minimal image tailored to your needs.
Are there official tutorials or training materials for working with Revolution Pi?
Yes, tutorials and documentation are available for various tools like RevPIMODIO for Python and Node-RED tutorials on RevPi Documentation portal.