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.
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
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 + DSP + SDRAM) | |
CPU: | 700 MHz ARM11 | |
GPU: | Broadcom VideoCore OpenGL ES 2.0, 1080p30 H.264 high-profile decode | |
Memory (SDRAM): | 128 MiB | 256 MiB |
USB 2.0 ports: | 1 | 2 (via integrated USB hub) |
Video outputs: | Composite video|Composite RCA, HDMI (not at the same time) | |
Audio outputs: | TRS connector|3.5 mm jack, HDMI | |
Audio inputs: | none, but a USB mic or sound-card could be added | |
Onboard Storage: | Secure Digital|SD / MMC / SDIO card slot | |
Onboard Network: | None | 10/100 wired Ethernet RJ45 |
Low-level peripherals: | General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins, Serial Peripheral Interface Bus (SPI), I²C, I²S, Universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) | |
Real-time clock: | None | |
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.
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.