Pinetek Networks is expanding its lineup of IO-Link hardware for embedded Linux systems with the IOL Core4, a compact four-port master module that connects industrial sensors and actuators over the IEC 61131-9 SDCI standard. The company already sells the IOL HAT for Raspberry Pi, and the Core4 targets a broader set of embedded hosts, communicating over SPI with 3.3V logic and a standard 2.54 mm header. Open-source C and Python examples are available on GitHub, and the software stack includes a TCP-accessible master application alongside the optional IOL Connect Manager, which adds Node-RED integration, a JSON API, web-based configuration and SQLite logging.
Two variants ship under different model numbers. The standard PT-1204 offloads the IO-Link master stack to the host processor, while the PT-1205, branded IOL Core4 Pro, runs the stack locally on an onboard microcontroller. Both use a pair of Analog Devices MAX14819 dual IO-Link master transceivers, each rated for operation from 9 V to 36 V and specified across -40 to 125 degrees Celsius. The module itself operates from a 24 V supply with plus or minus 20 percent tolerance and draws up to 2 A through the host connector. Each of its four Class A ports can deliver up to 500 mA on the L+ line and 150 mA on CQ.
For evaluation, Pinetek offers a kit bundling the PT-1204 module with a carrier board, 24 V power supply and sensor cables. The carrier connects through the Raspberry Pi 40-pin GPIO header, with the Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 listed as supported hosts, and can optionally power the Pi itself. The IO-Link ecosystem covers over 20,000 device types, from proximity sensors and pressure transducers to HMIs and signal towers, so the module opens a practical path for prototyping industrial monitoring or IIoT gateways on familiar Linux hardware. The underlying master application uses the RT-Labs i-link stack under a dual GPLv3 and commercial license. Its GitHub documentation notes the application runs fine as a regular user process for most setups, but recommends an optional real-time mode for deployments where timing is critical, such as HMI devices that need to react promptly to IO-Link timeouts.
The IOL Core4 measures 60 x 45 mm (2.4 x 1.8 inches) with a height of roughly 15 mm (0.6 inches), supports M3 standoffs and is rated for -25 to 60 degrees Celsius. Pinetek notes the module is IO-Link compatible but not certified as an IO-Link master, positioning it as a component for integration into larger systems. The evaluation kit is available directly from Pinetek Networks for $295 (€270) excluding VAT and shipping, while standalone production module pricing is available on request.
