RaspberryPi
A Raspberry Pi (or short: Rpi) is a cheap credit-card sized computer, equipped with an ARM processor powerful enough to run most linux distributions. It should be for sale begin februari 2012, on the Rpi website.
Just got your new board, but you don't know where to begin? See the beginners guide.
Contents
The Foundation
- main article: Rpi Foundation
The Raspberry Pi is a project by the Raspberry Pi Foundation which aims to bring computer interaction back to schoolkids, by producing very small, cheap computers.
System Specifications
- main article: Rpi Hardware
The Rasberry Pi comes in two tastes, A and B, with B having more features. The General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins on each board allow for the use of optional Rpi expansion boards
Model A | Model B | |
---|---|---|
Target price: | US$25 (GBP £16) | US$35 (GBP £22) |
System-on-a-chip (SoC): | Broadcom BCM2835 (CPU + GPU + SDRAM) (Rpi performance) | |
CPU: | 700 MHz ARM11 | |
GPU: | Broadcom VideoCore IV with OpenGL ES 2.0, OpenVG 1080p30 H.264 high-profile encode/decode | |
Memory (SDRAM): | 128 MiB | 256 MiB |
USB 2.0 ports: | 1 | 2 (via integrated USB hub) |
Rpi Video outputs: | Composite video|Composite RCA, HDMI (not at the same time) | |
Rpi Audio outputs: | TRS connector|3.5 mm jack, HDMI | |
Audio inputs: | none, but a USB mic or sound-card could be added | |
Rpi Storage: | Secure Digital|SD / MMC / SDIO card slot | |
Rpi Onboard Network: | None | 10/100 wired Ethernet RJ45 |
Rpi Low-level peripherals: | General Purpose Input/Output (Rpi GPIO) pins, Serial Peripheral Interface Bus (SPI), I²C, I²S, Universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) | |
Real-time clock: | None | |
Rpi Power source: | 5V via Micro USB or GPIO header | |
Power ratings: | 500mA, (2.5 Watt) | 700mA, (3.5 Watt) |
Size: | 85.60mm x 53.98mm (3.370 × 2.125 inch) |
Software
- main article: Rpi Software
The Raspberry Pi is a fully capable ARM computer, so it should be able to run about everything compiled in ARM.
Education
- main article: Rpi Education
The Rpi is geared towards eduction. Here you should find teaching methods, hints and tips about how to use the Rpi in the classroom. A whole lot of good links can be found in Rpi Educational links.
Manual
Computing at School is writing a manual for the educational use of the Raspberry Pi.
Projects
- main article: Rpi Projects
While the Rpi is intended for education, it is also the heart in many projects, from home automation to clustercomputers (called Rpi bramble in the jargon). Projects worked out here are useful as examples, inspiration or direct manual for your own projects, or those for more advanced pupils.
Accesoires
Expansion boards (shields)
- main article: Rpi expansion boards
The Rpi GPIO pins on the board allow for the connection of many shields, adding more functions to the main board. These range from sensors (Rpi Gertboard) to connectivity (adding a VGA connection).
Screens
- main article: Rpi Screens
Peripherals
- main article: Rpi Peripherals
Most computer pheripherals will work with the Raspberry Pi without any problems.
Case
- main article: Rpi cases
There is currently no official case for the Rpi. But due to it's small size and low power output it can be housed in about anything!