Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT 
Gateway User Guide

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide

© 2025 Compulab Ltd. All Rights Reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means whether, electronic, mechanical, or otherwise without the prior written permission of Compulab Ltd. No warranty of accuracy is given concerning the contents of the information contained in this publication. To the extent permitted by law, no liability (including liability to any person by reason of negligence) will be accepted by Compulab Ltd., its subsidiaries or employees for any direct or indirect loss or damage caused by omissions from or inaccuracies in this document. Compulab Ltd. reserves the right to change details in this publication without notice. Product and company names herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Compulab Ltd.
P.O. Box 687 Yokneam Illit
20692 ISRAEL
Tel: +972 (4) 8290100
https://www.compulab.com
Fax: +972 (4) 8325251

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 1

Please check for a newer revision of this manual at the Copula website https://www.compulab.com. Compare the revision notes of the updated manual from the website with those of the printed or electronic version that you have.

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 About This Document

This document is part of a set of reference documents providing information necessary to operate and program Compulab IOT-LINK product.

1.2 Related Documents

For additional information, refer to the documents listed in Table 2.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 2

2 OVERVIEW

2.1 Highlights

IOT-LINK is a miniature, highly integrated industrial IoT gateway optimized for low-cost applications.

  • NXP i.MX93, dual-core Cortex-A53, 1.7GHz
  • Up to 2GB LPDDR4 and 64GB eMMC
  • Worldwide LTE modem, LAN and WiFi
  • 2x RS485 / CAN-FD , 3x DI / DO
  • Bluetooth mesh, Thread and Zigbee
  • Wide temperature range of -40C to 80C
  • Operating systems: Debian Linux, Yocto Project, Balena OS
2.2 Specifications

The “Option” column specifies the IOT-LINK configuration option required to have the particular feature. “+” means that the feature is always available.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 3

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 4

3 CORE SYSTEM COMPONENTS

3.1 i.MX93 System-on-Chip

The i.MX 93 System-on-Chip (SoC) includes powerful dual Arm® Cortex®-A55 processors with speeds up to 1.7 GHz. A general-purpose Arm® Cortex®-M33 running up to 250 MHz is for realtime and low-power processing.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Figure 1

3.2 Memory
3.2.1 DRAM

IOT-LINK is available with up to 2GB of onboard LPDDR4 memory.

3.2.2 Storage

IOT-LINK uses on-board non-volatile memory (eMMC) storage for storing the bootloader. The remaining eMMC space is intended to store the operating system (kernel & root filesystem) and general purpose (user) data.

3.3 Cellular

IOT-LINK can be optionally assembled a mini-PCIe cellular modem module. To set up IOT-LINK for cellular functionality, install an active SIM card into SIM socket located behind the back panel. Remove the back panel to access the SIM socket. Modem antenna connection is available via SMA connector on the IOT-LINK front panel.
Note: Cellular modem is present only in gateways ordered with the “Jxx” configuration option

3.4 WiFi and Wireless Mesh Modules

IOT-LINK can be optionally assembled with one of the following wireless communication modules:

  • 802.11ax WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 module based on NXP IW611 (“WB” option)
  • Wireless mesh module based on Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 (“WMN” option)
  • Wireless mesh module based on Silicon Labs MGM240 (“WMS” option)

The antenna connection of the installed module is available via RP-SMA connector on the IOT-LINK front panel. WiFi / Bluetooth module is interfaced with the i.MX93 SoC via SDIO and UART ports. Wireless mesh modules are interfaced with the i.MX93 SoC via USB interface multiplexed with the USB host connector.
Note: When IOT-LINK is assembled with a wireless mesh module, USB host connector is inactive and cannot be used

3.5 Ethernet

IOT-LINK incorporates one Gigabit Ethernet port implemented with i.MX93 internal MAC and Realtek RTL8211 PHY.

3.6 Serial Debug Console

IOT-LINK features a serial debug console via a UART-to-USB bridge over micro USB connector. CP2104 UART-to-USB bridge is interfaced with i.MX93 UART port. CP2104 USB signals are routed to micro USB connector on the front panel, labeled DBG.

3.7 USB Programming Port

IOT-LINK features a USB SDP programming interface that can be used for device recovery using the NXP UUU utility. USB programming interface is routed to the micro USB port located behind the back panel. Remove the back panel to access the USB SDP connector. When a host PC is connected with a USB cable to the USB programming connector, IOT-LINK disables normal boot from eMMC and enters Serial Downloader boot mode.

3.8 Industrial I/O Terminal Block

IOT-LINK features a 10-pin terminal block containing several I/O interfaces. For connector pin-out please refer to section 5.4.

3.8.1 CAN Bus

IOT-LINK features up-to two optional CAN-FD ports implemented with i.MX93 CAN controller. Key characteristics:

  • Full implementation of the CAN FD protocol and CAN protocol specification version 2.0B
  • Compliant with the ISO 11898-1 standard
  • Optional 120 termination resistors controlled by jumpers located behind the back panel

Note: CAN bus ports are only present in gateways ordered with the “FACAN” or “FBCAN” ordering options. CAN ports are mutually exclusive with RS485 ports

3.8.2 RS485

IOT-LINK features up-to two optional RS485 ports implemented with MAX13488 transceivers interfaced with i.MX93 UART ports. Key characteristics:

  • 2-wire, half-duplex
  • Programmable baud rate of up to 3Mbps
  • Optional 120 termination resistors controlled by jumpers located behind the back panel

Note: RS485 ports are only present in gateways ordered with the “FARS4” or “FBRS4” ordering options. RA485 ports are mutually exclusive with CAN bus ports

3.8.3 Digital inputs and outputs

IOT-LINK provides three signals which can be used as either digital inputs or outputs. Key characteristics:

  • Designed for 24V PLC applications
  • Digital outputs maximal output current ­ 1A per channel
  • Digital inputs self-powered with current limit

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 5

3.8.4 Remote Power CNTL Input

A remote power button can be connected to the CNTL pin on the terminal block. Pressing the button changes the power state of the system. Connect the button between the CNTL pin and common ground pin.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 6

Warning: Connecting the Remote Power Button input to DC voltage may damage the device.
*** Only connect the input pin to GND via contact switch ***

4 SYSTEM LOGIC

4.1 Power Subsystem
4.1.1 Power Rails

IOT-LINK is powered from a single power rail through the DC power connector.

4.1.2 Power Modes

IOT-LINK supports three hardware power modes.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 7

4.1.3 RTC Back-Up Battery

IOT-LINK features a 120mAh coin cell lithium battery, which maintains the on-board RTC whenever the main power supply is not present.

4.2 Real-Time Clock

IOT-LINK RTC is implemented with the AM1805 real-time clock (RTC) chip. IOT-LINK back-up battery keeps the RTC running to maintain clock and time information whenever the main power supply is not present.

4.3 Hardware Watchdog

IOT-LINK watchdog function is implemented with the i.MX93 watchdog.

4.4 Trusted Platform Module

IOT-LINK is assembled with an Infineon SLB 9673 TPM2.0 compatible device.

5 INTERFACES AND CONNECTORS

5.1 Connector Locations
5.1.1 Front Panel

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Front Panel

5.1.2 Back Panel (open)

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Back Panel

5.2 DC Power Connector

DC power input connector.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 8-9

5.3 USB Host Connector

IOT-LINK USB2.0 host port is available through standard type-C USB connector. USB2.0 port is multiplexed with wireless mesh modules.
Note: IOT-LINK USB port does not provide USB3.0 functionality
Note: When IOT-LINK is assembled with a wireless mesh module, USB host connector is inactive and cannot be used

5.4 Interfaces and Connectors

IOT-LINK industrial I/O signals are routed to terminal block. Connector pin-out is shown below. For additional details please refer to section 3.8.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 10-11

5.5 Serial Debug Console

IOT-LINK serial debug console interface is routed to micro-USB connector located on the front panel.

5.6 RJ45 Ethernet Connector

IOT-LINK features one Ethernet port, routed to RJ45 connector.

5.7 SIM card socket

IOT-LINK micro-SIM card socket is located on the back of the device. Remove the back panel to access the SIM socket.

5.8 Indicator LEDs

The tables below describe IOT-LINK indicator LEDs.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 12

General purpose LEDs are active high and controlled by SoC GPIOs.

5.9 Antenna Connectors

IOT-LINK features two connectors for external antennas.

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 13

5.10 RS485 / CAN Termination Control

IOT-LINK features two termination resistors for RS485 / CAN bus ports. The terminations are independently controlled by two jumpers located on the IOT-LINK back panel. Remove the pack panel cover to access the termination jumpers.

Note: IOT-LINK is preassembled with the termination jumpers. By default, the termination resistors are enabled for both ports

6 MECHANICAL DRAWINGS

IOT-LINK 3D model is available for download at:
https://www.compulab.com/products/iot-gateways/iot-link-industrial-iotgateway/#devres

7 OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS

7.1 Absolute Maximum Ratings

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 14

NOTE: Stress beyond Absolute Maximum Ratings may cause permanent damage to the device

7.2 Recommended Operating Conditions

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 15

7.3 Typical Power Consumption

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway User Guide - Table 16

Power consumption has been measured with the following setup:

  1. Configuration – IOT-LINK-D2-N32-E-WB-JS7672G-FARS4-FBCAN-DIO-POE-XL
  2. 12VDC PSU

Documents / Resources

Compulab IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway [pdf] User Guide
IOT-LINK Industrial IoT Gateway, Industrial IoT Gateway, IoT Gateway

References

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *