The new Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 programming jig is a fairly unique product from the single-board computer company. Specially designed for the Compute Module 5 variant of the Pi range, it is intended for mass flashing of the module when preparing it for various projects. Devices like this have been around for years, allowing companies like Apple to mass update iPhones out of the box.
So why would anyone need it? Well, the CM5 differs from other Raspberry Pi devices in that it requires a carrier board to access the inputs and outputs. Without it, the user would have to insert the CM5 into a carrier card one by one if they want to mass flash. Raspberry Pi designed the Jig to allow the Compute Module 5 to slot into place, with metal connectors on the CM5’s base registering with those on the Jig. Once powered on and put into operation, it will flash the CM5 to the specifications required by the project.
As detailed in a video by Jeff Geerling, current offerings in the same space are only rated for 30 insertions before degrading. Geerling also demonstrated how the CM4 was flashed, hammered into a board, flashed, then sent onto the conveyor belt. It’s possible that the Raspberry Pi itself has reliability issues with this method, hence the new non-hardware connection method with the Jig.
The Raspberry Pi programming template probably isn’t for you
The Compute Module 5 programming jig is regularly sold for $600, but it already has a markup on the American site PiShop, increasing that figure by $150. It’s very unlikely that anyone on the consumer side will need this, as most of us with a CM5 for tinkering will rarely need mass flashing. Additionally, getting Raspberry Pi hardware at a reasonable price has become almost impossible thanks to RAMageddeon, so it will be interesting to see if this product shakes things up for manufacturers in the retail sector.
However, aside from the carrier boards and other similar setups, the Jig is actually relatively cheap compared to another brand. Everypin has its own $2,500 (€2,200) template, which is open source. Apart from this, there was also the Balena Etcher Pro, which can flash multiple USB devices at once for OS installation. It is now the end of life.
Luckily, Raspberry Pi has already released extensive documentation if you’re curious about the Jig in another capacity. Perhaps once things get back on track with RAM and storage production, these will be useful for some projects.
