Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is a personal computer the size of a credit card hat fits into TV and a Keyboard. It is a low-cost Linux and ARM-based computer on a small circuit board. The first prototype was introduced in 2011, and it was the size of a flash drive with USB on one end and HDMI on the other end. In 2012, the circuit board was expanded to 3*5 inches, and the model B ($35) was the first commercial product. It’s a capable little computer than can run spreadsheets, word-processing, games and high-definition videos. It was developed by the Raspberry Foundation to promote global program learning. The Raspberry Pi is a charitable organization that aims at providing low-cost computers and free software to students globally.  The ultimate intention is to foster computer science education. A Raspberry can work with numerous accessories including USB keyboard, mouse, prepared SD card, monitor with HDMI input, micro USB power supply, and Ethernet LAN cable. In Linux system, Raspberry Pi works as s mini-computers. 

Components of Raspberry PI

The main components of Raspberry Pi include the processor, the secure digital card, external USB port, the Ethernet port, HDMI connector, status LEDs, analog audio output, composite video out and power input.  The processor is at the heart of Raspberry Pi. The processor is similar to processors found in the iPhone 3G and the Kindle 2.  The chip us 32 it, with the 700MHZ processor,  and built on ARM11 architecture (Memberly & Davis, 2013).

The secure digital cards is a key component of Raspberry Pi.  The SD card slot is used to store data and programs. It offers the initial storage for the operating system and files. The SD card slot is used to store data. It offers the initial storage for the operating system and files. When Raspberry Pi is switched on a certain code known as the bootloader is loaded, that reads unique code from the SD card that 's used to start up the Raspberry Pi. 

The external USB port consists of two USN 2.0 ports on the model A.  Some of the initial Raspberry P were limited in the amount of current that they can provide.  Some USB can draw up to 8500mA. The initial Pi board supported 100mA or so, but new version are up to the full USB 2.0 specification.   However, some USB devices can draw up to 100mA or so, but new versions are up to the full USB 2.0 specifications.   There is Micro USB port for the power supply but the connection there are normal USB ports.  The Ethernet port is the family a family of computer networking technologies for local area network.  Ethernet consists a system for connecting a number of the computer system to form area network.  In Raspberry Pi, Ethernet port is used to provide networking. The high definition multimedia interface provides digital video.  Raspberry supports 14 different video resolutions, and it allows for the conversion of HDMI to DVI. The commercially available model B has five status LEDs whereas Model A has two

The analog audio output is a standard 3.5 mm mini Analog audio jack that is intended to drive high impedance loads such as amplified speakers.  The headphones or unpowered speakers sound very good involving the drivers. The composite video output is a standard RCA-type jack that provides composite NTSC or PAL.  The composite video output is a standard RCA-type jack that provides                                                                                                

The ARM CPU offers real-world performance similar to a 300MHZ Pentium 2; the Broadcom CPU is capable graphic core that is capable of hardware decoding high definition videos. In order to achieve their goal of the low-cost computer, Raspberry Pi has only licensed the H.264 codec for hardware decoding. As such, the video core IV GPU is a potent because it is capable of decoding 1080p30 H.264 bit-rates up to 40mbs.

The available Raspberry PI is the Model B. Model B components include an HDMI and composite video outputs, 2 USB 2.0 ports, a 10/100 Ethernet port, SD card slot, GPIO connector, and analog audio output. Model A is less expensive but does not have the Ethernet port and one USB ports.

The Raspberry Pi utilizes SD cards to store its operating system and maintain storage space. A Raspberry Pi SD contains two partitions. The first partition is the boot partition that contains the Linux Kernel required booting up files and most importantly, the config.Text file. The file allows the use to change the boot time parameters and customize some of the functions of the Raspberry Pi. These options include overclocking the device, changing the monitor setting, and the memory spilled between CPU and GPU, among other several options.  The 2nd partition contains a Linux partition, which holds all of the applications, configurations, and operating system files.

The fascination with Raspberry Pi is from the combination of the computer’s small size and affordable prices.  It is envisioned as a small form-factor PC as a cheap home theater PC or secondary low-power desktop. Institutions such as schools and businesses can benefit from deploying a fleet of computers for less cost compared to purchasing desktops. 

Raspberry Pi uses Linux-Fedora operating system. It supports several programming languages including Python, BBC Basic, C, and Perl.  It is possible to run Fedora although the PC’s architecture that is based around version 6 of the ARM architecture. 

Raspberry Pi competes with Arduino and BeagleBoard.  Although the systems of the three alternatives are of similar form-factors, the Raspberry PI is more powerful. In terms of hardware, the Raspberry Pi is based on an ARM SoC that is closed source. On the other hand, the Arduino and BeagleBoard systems are both based on fully open source hardware.  The BeagleBoard use ARM processors but different GPUs.  Arduino uses different boards due to the 8-bit and 16-bit Atmel micro-controller chips.  The three devices also differ greatly in terms of the intended uses.  The Arduino is intended to be used as a development board with micro-controllers that will be programmed and then integrated into larger machines and not allowed to run alone. However, Raspberry Pi is meant to b used as a final product and operate as a typical desktop.  BeagleBoard is more similar to Raspberry Pi in terms of usage due to the use of  Ubuntu and XBMC support. However, BeagleBoard is more expensive. Some differences include the use of the non-modular design in Raspberry Pi (no removing or replacing chips), clock speed, power usage and prices.  The Arduino and baegleBoard have extensive device line-ups that include high-end end models. However, Raspberry Pi computer is designed around the idea of producing a computer that is “capable enough” as cheaply as possible.

Arduino and Raspberry Pi also differs in terms of connectivity. If one want to connect the node to an Ethernet network, one need to consider the fact that Raspberry PI  (Model B) comes with an LAN port whereas Arduino requires an Ethernet shield. As such, the cost may be much closer.  However, the Arduino has one major advantage over the Raspberry when it comes to connectivity. It is much easier to interface specialized hardware.  Because there is no pluggable solution for the Raspberry Pi, the Arduino is the better choice. 

It is also important to compare Arduino and Raspberry Pi in terms of functionality. In efforts to add functionality such as web server, a local database server, or remote access via SSH or connectivity to peripherals such as hard disks, keyboard, display, Raspberry is a fully functional personal computer.  The Arduino is easy to program and has a much wider hardware support base thus making it possible to host a much wider array of sensor options and even electronic circuits.  Arduino has a more robust hardware interface than the GPIO of the Raspberry Pi.

References

Membrey P & Davis H (2013). Learn Pi with Linux.  Routledge Publisher USA.

Carolyn Morgan is the author of this paper. A senior editor at MeldaResearch.Com in college research paper services. If you need a similar paper you can place your order from best medical essay service.