CardputerZero

SKU:C154

Description

CardputerZero is a pocket-sized Linux personal computer designed for makers and developers, built on the Raspberry Pi CM0 platform. It integrates a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor, a 1.9-inch display, a 46-key matrix keyboard, an 8MP camera, an IMU, and an RTC, delivering a near-complete development terminal experience in a handheld form factor. It also features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, microSD, a switchable Host/Slave USB architecture, and modular expansion capabilities via I2C/UART/SPI/GPIO. Combined with audio/video codec support and a battery-powered design, it enables an all-in-one solution for on-the-go development, edge data collection, and multimedia interaction. Typical use cases include: mobile penetration testing and operations terminals, IoT device debugging and field deployment, portable AI/vision prototyping, maker project development, and outdoor data collection with rapid human-machine interaction.

Features

• Raspberry Pi CM0 Core:
  • RP3A0 (BCM2837)
  • CPU: Quad-core Cortex-A53 @ 1 GHz, ARMv8-A (aarch64)
  • RAM: 512 MB LPDDR2
• Human-Machine Interface:
  • 46-key matrix keyboard
  • 1.9" LCD @ ST7789v3, resolution 170x320
  • Camera @ IMX219 CSI 4-Lane 8MP (3280 x 2464)
  • IMU BMI270 + BMM150
  • IR transmitter + receiver
• Wireless Communication:
  • 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • BT 4.2 with low-power mode (BLE) support
• Rich Interfaces:
  • 1x digital HD audio/video output, supports 1080P 30fps
  • 1x 10/100M Ethernet interface
  • 1x microSD card slot
  • 1x HY2.0-4P expansion port (with built-in electronic switch for I2C / UART toggling)
  • Cap EXT 2.54-14P expansion bus:
    • SPI, UART, I2C, USB, GPIO, 5VIN/OUT
• USB Expansion:
  • Independent Host / Slave physical toggle switch:
  • Slave mode: controls the USB Type-C port on the right side of the device
    • 1x USB Type-C power / USB 2.0 + OTG
  • Host mode: controls the USB ports on the left side of the device
    • 1x USB-A 2.0 port
    • 1x USB Type-C 2.0 port
• Audio:
  • ES8389 audio codec
  • MEMS microphone x1
  • AW8737A speaker amplifier + 1W @ 8Ω speaker
  • 3.5mm audio output TRRS jack
• Video Codec:
  • Decode: 1080P 30fps in H.264 or MPEG-4
  • Encode: 1080P 30fps in H.264
• Built-in 3.7V @ 1500mAh lithium battery
• BQ27220YZFR battery state monitor
• RTC RX8130CE

Includes

• 1 x CardputerZero
• 1 x 32GB microSD Card

Applications

• Operations terminal
• IoT device debugging
• Portable AI / vision prototyping
• Maker project development

Specifications

Learn

Power Supply

Schematics

• CardputerZero Schematics PDF

1/8

PinMap

Display

The display reset is controlled via PYG5_LCD_RST on the M5IOE1 I/O expander, and the backlight is controlled via PYG10_BL_PWM.

Audio

The 3.5mm audio output jack supports plug detection. When HP_DET detects a headphone insertion, the system automatically switches the audio output route. When no headphone is connected, the AW8737A speaker amplifier is enabled. The amplifier enable signal is controlled by GPIO G24 on the CM0.

USB 2.0

CardputerZero expands the CM0's internal USB interface resources via a USB Hub, enabling multiple USB ports and an Ethernet interface.

A physical Host / Slave toggle switch is located on the left side of the device. When in Slave mode, the USB Hub chip is disconnected; in this state, the left-side USB-A, USB Type-C ports, the HAT-P0/P1 USB interface on the top EXT 2.54-14P expansion bus, and the Ethernet interface will be unavailable.

• Slave mode:
  • CM0 USB is connected to the USB Type-C port on the right side of the device.
• Host mode:
  • CM0 USB is connected to the internal USB Hub, which further expands into 4 USB ports.
  • USB1 from the Hub is routed through a USB-ETH chip to provide Ethernet functionality.
  • USB2 ~ 4 from the Hub are used for the USB-A port, USB Type-C port, and the HAT-P0/P1 USB interface on the top EXT 2.54-14P expansion bus, respectively.

HMI

Power Control

M5IOE1

• Power Status

• Peripheral Reset

• HAT P0/P1 Function Switch

• Caps Lock / Shift Indicator LEDs

HY2.0-4P

The HY2.0-4P interface function is switched via G4_I2C/UART_SW on the CM0. The default function is UART.

The 5V output on the interface is enabled via G17_GROVE_EN on the CM0. (Maximum supply current < 500mA)

EXT 2.54-14P

The HAT_P0 and HAT_P1 pins can be switched between USB / GPIO functions via PYG1_HAT_SW on the M5IOE1 I/O expander. The default function is GPIO.

Datasheets

• M5IOE1 Chip User Manual

Softwares

Quick Start

coming soon...

SDK

coming soon...

Kernel

coming soon...

Product Comparison

Product Compare	CardputerZero	CardputerZero-Lite
Core	Raspberry Pi CM0	Raspberry Pi CM0
Wi-Fi & Bluetooth	✅	✅
IR Transmitter + Receiver	✅	✅
8MP Camera	✅	❌
IMU BMI270 + BMM150	✅	❌
Includes 32GB microSD	✅	❌