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Paisley Microsystems’ Firefly is a family of industrial-oriented carrier boards designed to pair a Raspberry Pi Compute Module-compatible computer with a separate STM32 microcontroller for control tasks. The project page describes CM4 and CM5 compatibility, two IO-Link Class B channels with auxiliary 24 V supply support, and two variants: Firefly-5 and Firefly-5lite. It currently labels the project “launching soon,” with no price stated.
What the Firefly Automation Controller is
Firefly is not a Compute Module itself. It is a carrier/controller platform: a compatible Compute Module supplies the main computing environment, while a microcontroller on the board is intended to handle time-sensitive control. Paisley’s product page specifies an STM32H7 running at up to 480 MHz and buffered communication lines to the system-on-module at 80 MHz. These are announced design specifications, not independently tested performance results.
The industrial-facing feature set includes two IO-Link Class B channels and a connector for auxiliary 24 V power. Paisley also describes optional modules for isolated industrial I/O, IO-Link, powerline monitoring, and stepper or servo control. The manufacturer lists robotics and automation, assembly lines, data acquisition and industrial monitoring, and building automation as target applications; these are intended uses, not confirmed deployments or certifications.
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Paisley positions the Firefly-5 as the higher-power, more network-capable option and the 5lite as a reduced-spec variant. The current project page and Hackster’s announcement provide details at different levels of specificity, so the figures below retain their source attribution.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatibility: X1500 is compatible with Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 CM5 and all CM5 variants; Model: X1500; Matching case is X1500-C1/X1500-C2, cooler is C519
- User Manual: Google Geekworm WiKi and search X1500 to visit the user guide
- Function: Support Dual M.2 NVMe SSD, with 1GbE Ethernet Ports, Dual USB 3.0 Ports, Dual Hdmi 2.0 Ports, Dual MIPI DSI/CSI-2 Connectors, RTC, PWM Fan connector and convenient power button
- How to Power: 5.1Vdc +/-5% 5A power via USB-C port of X1500; Please use high quality power supply capable of delivering 5.1V at 5A output, an incompatible power supply with a lower output voltage may fail to power on the system
- Extra Needed to Prepare: Raspberrry Pi CM5, high quality Power Adapter, M.2 NVMe SSD, micro-SD card(≥16GB), Case, CM5 heatsink etc
| Feature | Firefly-5 | Firefly-5lite |
|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | Dual Gigabit Ethernet, according to the Crowd Supply project page. | One Gigabit and one 100 Mbit connector, according to the Crowd Supply project page. |
| USB power | The project page lists USB Type-C PD up to 240 W. Its descriptive copy separately says up to 200 W from USB PD or 600 W wired for peripherals; those figures are stated differently on the page, so final specifications should be checked when available. | Hackster’s announcement lists USB power up to 100 W; this is an announcement figure, not an independently verified result. Hackster announcement. |
| Onboard controller | STM32H723 running up to 480 MHz, according to Hackster’s announcement; the project page specifies an STM32H7 up to 480 MHz. | STM32F410 running at 100 MHz, according to Hackster’s announcement. |
| Input | Terminal-block input stated as 8–60 V on the Crowd Supply project page. | |
| M.2 and USB expansion | The project page describes two M.2 slots, configurable USB-C ports, up to three USB 3.0 ports, and two 40-pin headers. | |
The page’s M.2 details specify a B-key slot supporting PCIe Gen 3 and USB 3.0/2.0, microSIM access for cellular modems, and modules up to M.2 3042; the M-key slot supports NVMe storage up to M.2 2280. Simultaneous use is described as supported. One 40-pin header is CM5 GPIO/HAT-compatible, while the other maps to STM32 I/O. These are stated project specifications rather than verified compatibility results for every add-on.
Choosing a Compute Module 5 for a build
Paisley identifies Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 as compatible with Firefly. Raspberry Pi lists CM5 configurations with 2, 4, 8, or 16 GB of SDRAM and 0, 16, 32, or 64 GB of eMMC, plus wireless options. The module uses a Broadcom BCM2712 quad-core 64-bit Cortex-A76 processor running at 2.4 GHz and includes a PCIe Gen 2 x1 interface. See the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 product page for the manufacturer’s configuration and product details.
Rank #2
- Nano Base Board (B) for Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 Lite / eMMC series module, same size as the CM5, with multiple peripheral interfaces, suitable for evaluating the Compute Module 5 or being integrated into end products
- Onboard CM5 socket suitable for all variants of Compute Module 5, 40PIN GPIO interface for connecting to various HAT modules, RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet port for network access, USB 3.2 Gen1 high speed interface for connecting sorts of USB devices
- Onboard Dual MIPI interfaces for connecting to DSI displays or CSI cameras, Mini HDMI port supports 4K output, 3.5mm jack for Audio output, 16PIN PCIe connector for connecting sorts of PI5 PCIe adapter boards, TF card socket for Compute Module 5 Lite (without eMMC) variants
- It is forbidden to unplug and unplug any device other than USB when it is charged. Type C can be used as a USB SLAVE interface to flash images. Do not connect other devices when using Type C to flash. Insufficient power supply for burning will cause the device to be unrecognized
- Onboard default USB 3.2 Gen1 port. USB TYPE A interface maximum power output 2A. The onboard BOOT button, you can press the BOOT button before powering on, and connect to the computer through Type C to let the device enter the flashing mode
Select memory, eMMC, and wireless options to suit the intended workload and deployment. An M.2 NVMe SSD is relevant when additional storage is needed; check its interface and physical size against the appropriate Firefly slot. IO-Link Class B sensors or actuators may suit a field-I/O project, but no particular vendor or device compatibility is established by the cited product information.
Availability, documentation, and what remains unsettled
The Crowd Supply page currently says “This project is launching soon” and “Coming Soon.” It does not state a price, so the available information does not establish that the boards are shipping or currently orderable. Hackster’s announcement described a planned Crowd Supply campaign and said pricing had not been disclosed at the time; that historical announcement is not a current availability update.
Rank #3
- Versatile & High-Performance: Compatible with Raspberry Pi CM4/CM5 and Radxa CM3/CM5, the CmRat Carrier Board supports a wide range of compute modules—making it easy to build powerful, flexible embedded systems and custom setups with one board.
- Fast NVMe Storage Support: Connects high-performance NVMe hard drives for ultra-fast read/write speeds and reliable data storage. Ideal for edge computing, Raspberry Pi setups, and embedded applications requiring fast, efficient storage solutions.
- Runs 100’s of Different Operating Systems: Compatible with a wide range of Linux-based, real-time, and specialized OS environments.
- Ideal for everything from embedded systems to microservers. A dependable platform for developers, educators, and makers who need flexibility and performance.
- Premium ADC12 Aluminum Slimline Case: Crafted from high-quality ADC12 aluminum, the CmRat-compatible slimline case is CNC-machined and die-cast for secure housing of the PCB. Designed for optimal airflow, it ensures quiet, cool operation. Currently supplied in 2 colour combinations - (Red/Black or Orange/Siliver) - The Colour will be supplied randomly.
Paisley’s documentation landing page lists Firefly Baseboard and a Downloads link. The Crowd Supply page says design files, documentation, and firmware will be made available and that a GitHub repository will be put together soon. The cited pages do not establish that every promised Firefly-5 and 5lite source file is published or specify the final license. Raspberry Pi says CM5 will remain in production until at least January 2036; this is the manufacturer’s stated production commitment, not a guarantee about Firefly availability.
Overall, Firefly’s announced architecture combines a CM4/CM5-compatible compute module, onboard STM32 control, and industrial-oriented I/O, with networking and power distinctions between two variants. The performance, protection, and compatibility claims remain manufacturer specifications: the cited sources provide no independent testing or field validation.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- standard CM5 socket and Raspberry Pi 40PIN GPIO header suitable for all variants of Compute Module 5
- Faster reading/writing speed compared to the TF card slot of Raspberry Pi, greatly improving reading/writing efficiency of the system or files, support booting Raspberry Pi from NVMe Solid State Drive
- Onboard connectors including MIPI / M.2 / HDMI / USB / ETH / TF Card Slot
- Each cut-out is completely aligned with the connector
- Comes with cooling fan, combined with the airflow vent, better heat dissipation
Rank #4
- Compatibility: X1501 is compatible with Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 CM5 and all CM5 variants; Model: X1501; Matching case is X1500-C1/X1500-C2, cooler is C519
- User Manual: Google Geekworm WiKi and search X1501 to visit the user guide
- Function: Support Dual M.2 NVMe SSD, with Dual Ethernet Ports 1GbE and 2.5GbE, USB2.0 + USB3.0 ports, Dual Hdmi 2.0 Ports, Dual MIPI DSI/CSI-2 Connectors, RTC, PWM Fan connector and convenient power button
- How to Power: 5.1Vdc +/-5% 5A power via USB-C port of X1501; Please use high quality power supply capable of delivering 5.1V at 5A output, an incompatible power supply with a lower output voltage may fail to power on the system
- Extra Needed to Prepare: Raspberrry Pi CM5, high quality Power Adapter, M.2 NVMe SSD, micro-SD card(≥16GB), Case, CM5 heatsink etc
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