What is Raspberry Pi?
“The Raspberry Pi is a low cost, credit-card sized computer that plugs into a computer monitor or TV, and uses a standard keyboard and mouse.” – raspberrypi.org
We can say that Raspberry Pi is lightweight, low cost, portable computer which is capable of performing every task which is expected from personal computer. Tasks like web browsing, creating documents, gaming, playing high definition video, etc.
Originally Raspberry Pi become more popular in robotics community because of its specifications. Now Raspberry Pi is being used in Researching and it can be used to create great IOT applications like monitoring, automation, security, etc.
Raspberry Pi provides great environment along with interfaces which makes it ideal for all IOT. Features like own OS named Raspbian, runs on Linux kernel, many GPIO pins, multiple wired and wireless connective interface, low power, low cost, etc. which help developers to create their own systems.
Raspberry Pi 3 B+ specification
Processor
Broadcom BCM2837B0, Cortex-A53 (ARMv8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.4GHz
Memory
- Micro SD port for loading your operating system and storing data
- 1GB LPDDR2 SDRAM
Connectivity /
Interface
- 2.4GHz and 5GHz IEEE 802.11.b/g/n/ac wireless LAN, Bluetooth 4.2, BLE
- Gigabit Ethernet over USB 2.0 (maximum throughput 300 Mbps)
- 4 USB 2.0 ports
GPIO
Extended 40-pin GPIO header
Multimedia
- CSI camera port for connecting a Raspberry Pi camera
- DSI display port for connecting a Raspberry Pi touchscreen display
- 4-pole stereo output and composite video port
- Full-size HDMI
Power
- 5V/2.5A DC power input
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) support (requires separate PoE HAT)
Raspberry Pi Image Credits : amazon.in
Raspberry Pi 3 B+ GPIO Pinout
Applications of Raspberry Pi
- Security and Surveillance system e.g. controlling camera setup, door locking system which also includes biometrics system.
- Monitoring system e.g. weather monitoring.
- Work as a server e.g. we can create web server using apache to host APIs or website.
- Helps in Artificial Intelligence.
- Home automation system.
Other System On Chips
RIMO
“RIMO is the code name of the SHAKTI C-class based SoC that has been taped-out at Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL) at Chandigarh using 180 nm process technology. The 144 sq.mm. chip has been tested to operate at a frequency of up to 70 MHz. The chip has been packaged on a 208-pin Ceramic Quad Flat Pack (CQFP).”[3]
Raspberry Pi 3B
“The Raspberry Pi 3 Model B is the earliest model of the third-generation Raspberry Pi. It replaced the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B in February 2016. See also the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, the latest product in the Raspberry Pi 3 range.” – raspberrypi.org
Arduino uno
“Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P (datasheet). It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator (CSTCE16M0V53-R0), a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header and a reset button.” – Arduino
BeagleBone Rev C
“BeagleBone Black is a low-cost, community-supported development platform for developers and hobbyists. Boot Linux in under 10 seconds and get started on development in less than 5 minutes with just a single USB cable.” – beagleboard.org
References
Other related IOT topics
