azlan.works
Power Management
Embedded Linux Boards
This project is launching soon.
Argo CM5 is an open source Raspberry Pi CM5 Carrier PCB designed for embedded and portable applications. Featuring the same footprint as the CM5, the primarily goal was minimizing volume whilst retaining most of what makes Raspberry Pis great for makers.
But don’t mistake its miniature size for a lack of features—Argo CM5 has a surprising number of ports, connectors, and even a LiPo charger built-in. This can bring tons of amazing projects to life, from fully-featured cyberdecks to cinema cameras and smart displays, without taking up a ton of space. Bring your Pi-powered dream device to life with Argo CM5!
You’ve probably seen seen tons of amazing projects based on the Raspberry Pi B-style board, powered over a USB cord. But there are real downsides to embedding a full-sized Pi 5 with a beefy powerbank into what’s supposed to be a portable device. Inspiration for Argo CM5 came from talented maker Pierluigi Coliangeli and his great CM5 Minima board that already achieves a pretty small form factor.
Because it has LiPo charging built in, Argo CM5 can use as big a battery as you need, whether that’s a 2000 mAh pouch or a 10000 mAh one, with charging made easy over USB Type-C. For something like an IoT device, Argo either frees you from the wall entirely for hours at a time, or gives the user battery backup in case of a power outage.
Argo CM5 can be used for a very wide range of applications, from off-grid IoT datalogger to a mini-NAS with a built-in UPS. It is well-suited for any use that requires one or more cameras, thanks to its two MIPI ports (compatible with the Raspberry Pi HQ Camera and other open source cameras). But whether you’re bringing your next Home Assistant sensor design to life, or tracking wildlife at your bird feeder, Argo CM5 is a flexible platform for anyone tinkering with the Pi CM5.
The hardware and firmware for this project is 100% opensource! Original board files can be found on OSHWLab here. The GitHub repo also contains basic firmware files for battery and sensor controls. The most up-to-date documentation, schematics and layout can be found here: https://docs.azlan.works/argo/overview.
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