Here I’m going to explain what is raspberry pi and how to set it up as your own handy computer. Why it is so popular?

So now start making projects without any previous experience on it. At the same time, you can use as a computer.

It is a less expensive but very strong platform for learning and programming. It means very wast support for hardware /sensors.

Also for programming languages/operating systems/ development. Hence it can use as a hardware development or software development platform setup.

What is Raspberry Pi Models

As technology grow upgraded models introduced to match. A clear understanding of models will help us to choose, but which model is best for our custom application or projects? 

Also Where we can find out the best support/documentation for model and future up-gradation not needed for advanced projects.

List of models

If you think the above list confusing? Then you are right as a beginner really confusing.

Models

Year

Raspberry Pi 4 B

2019

Raspberry Pi 3 Model A+

2018

Raspberry Pi 3 B+

2018

Raspberry Pi Zero WH

2018

Raspberry Pi Zero W

2017

Raspberry Pi A+

2014

Raspberry Pi 3

2016

Raspberry Pi Zero

2015

Raspberry Pi 2

2015

Raspberry Pi B

2012

So considering advanced project development/ support rpi 4 and rpi 3 are the best options.

Both rpi 3 and rpi 4 supports most of the applications, But rpi 4 is the latest release so it may have some bugs to remove. That is the main reason for using rpi 3. 

Also nice platform for experiment with different projects.

What is Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Specs

The RPi 3 Model B will continue till January 2026 in production, which Also means development and support will continue till then.

Configuration

  • Chipset : Broadcom BCM2837.

  • Clock Speed : 1.2GHz Quad-Core ARM Cortex-A53.

  • Bluetooth Classic and LE : 802.11 bgn Wireless LAN and bluetooth 4.1.

  • Ram : 1GB DDR2.

  • CPU : 64 Bit.

  • GPU : Dual Core Video Core IV® Multimedia Co-Processor. Without a doubt provides Open GLES 2.0, hardware-       accelerated Open VG, and 1080p30 H.264 high- profile decode as well.

  • USB : 4x usb 2.0 ports.

  • 4 pole 3.5mm Jack Stereo output in addition Composite video port.

  • HDMI full size.

  • Ethernet : 10/100 BaseT socket

  • 15-pin MIPI CSI-2 camera port for connecting the Raspberry Pi camera.

  • DSI 15 way flat flex cable connector with two data lanes and a clock lane display port for connecting the Raspberry Pi  touch screen display as well as that.

  • Obviously Micro SD port for loading operating system and storing data

  • Power Source : Micro USB socket.

Main Features

  • 10x Faster - Broadcom BCM2387 ARM Cortex-A53 Quad Core Processor powered Single Board Computer in addition running at 1.2GHz too.

  • GPU is undoubtedly capable of 1Gpixel/s, 1.5Gtexel/s or 24GFLOPs with texture filtering and DMA infrastructure.

  • Now 1GB RAM so you can now run bigger and more powerful applications.

  • In addition to this Complete HAT compatible.

  • Full 40pin extended GPIO to enhance unlike “real world” projects.

  • Now connect a Raspberry Pi camera and touch screen display also.

  • Stream and watch Hi-definition video output especially for 1080.

  • Micro SD slot for storing information as well as loading operating systems.

  • 10/100 BaseT Ethernet socket to quickly connect the Raspberry Pi to the Internet indeed.

What is gpio pinout

Raspberry Pi 1 Models A+ also B+, Pi 2 Model B, Pi 3 Models  A+, B along with B+, Pi 4, moreover Pi Zero, Zero W, and Zero WH GPIO have a 40-pin pinout.

Function

Pin

Pin

Function

+3.3 V o/p

1

2

+5 V

GPIO02,SDA1(I ² C)

3

4

+5 V

GPIO03,SCL1 (I ² C)

5

6

GND

GPIO04 (GPIO_GCLK)  

7

8

GPIO14, TXD0 (UART)

GND

9

10

GPIO15, RXD0 (UART)

GPIO17

11

12

GPIO18

GPIO27

13

14

GND

GPIO22

15

16

GPIO23

+3.3 V

17

18

GPIO24

GPIO10, MOSI (SPI)

19

20

GND

GPIO09, MISO (SPI)

21

22

GPIO25

GPIO11,SCLK (SPI)

23

24

GPIO08, CE0 (SPI)

GND

25

26

GPIO07, CE1 (SPI)

ID_SD (I ² C)

27

28

ID_SC (I ² C)

GPIO05

29

30

GND

GPIO06

31

32

GPIO12

GPIO13

33

34

GND

GPIO19

35

36

GPIO16

GPIO26

37

38

GPIO20

GND

39

40

GPIO21

On the other hand, Raspberry Pi 1 Models A and B have only the first 26 GPIO pins.

So general purpose Input-Output ( GPIO ) pins have not any specific purpose or function as well. Although we can get or provide any kind of signal with the help of a software program.

Similarly GPIO pins also important for setup to interface with audrino, Logi Pi as well as custom-built projects.

What is RPi Kit and Buy

Before starting we need few things for setup like the raspberry pi board, monitor with HDMI input or HDMI to VGA connector, cable, keyboard/mouse (USB or wireless), sd card preferably 10x for high speed. 

Initially, you may have few things in case you have a desktop computer. Rest of the things you need to buy.

Finally, I found my pi kit for buying at a cheap price from the below links. Without a doubt, you will also get a good price here. In addition to this may get some discount offers.

Start RPi Setup

Once above things are ready we can move ahead.

If you buy noobs preloaded sd card then you don’t need to do that otherwise go to google type sd card formatter first link will come sd association click it and download after that.

sd-card-formatter-download-page

Once again go to google and type raspberry. You will find raspberry .org. From here click on download then click on noobs. Now will see the below page finally.

noobs v3-2-1-download-page

When Noobs v3-2-1 version as zip file downloaded. Run the Sd Card Formatter setup.

As soon as SD Card is attached to the computer or laptop click on SD Card Formatter icon and formatte card.

Now the last thing is remaining open Noobs zip file select all files and folders and paste into Sd Card.

At the same time finish copying files into the sd card and put the card into Raspberry Board to make sure lan connection is also connected with Board.

Raspberry-pi-hardware-setup

Because initially, it will make installation easy. As you know RPI Board does not have a real-time clock battery.

Lan connection will configure date and time also. Otherwise, you have to feed the date and time manually.

Booting

Now the time has come to boot RPI first time. Turn on the power. After some time color window will come following some settings.

Finally, the noobs window will display along with the options as shown below.

noobs-setup

As you can see lan connection with internet available then there are lots of operating systems showing along with lan connector symbols. 

Although Raspbian Full and LibreELEC are already available on the SD card.

The rest of the operating systems also can be installed from here as and when required.

That is the main reason for first choice Noobs as the beginning. Because later you can experiment with different Operating Systems.

Raspbian Full Installation

Now from here select Raspbian full checkbox and secondly click to install as shown in the above picture as well.

Now will ask for confirm installation then click on “yes”. 

As soon as the installation will begin a progress bar will appear and it will take 15 to 30 min approx to finish. 

raspberry-pi-setup-progressbar

As soon as installation complete “OS Installed Successfully” window will pop up as shown below.

raspberry-pi-os-installed-successfully

Finally, click on “ok” and display will be blank. Because from here RPI booting again. 

At last after complete booting desktop window will display.

raspberry-pi-desktop

Installation is almost done from here besides the need to configure.

At this point wait until on the up-right corner of the desktop up-down arrow become blue. 

Also indicate that internet connection through lan has been established at the moment.

Wait until the date and time get updated. Also from here we can move forward and start configuration after verifying the date and time at the up-right corner.

Configuration

Firstly click on next and now options will come. Above all select country, Language and Timezone accordingly. Then click Next for a password set.

Default Password

Before making any change Id and Password should be noted down. Importantly default Id is “pi” also the password is “raspberry”. You can change the password of your choice from here also.

Wifi and Software Update

After click on the next wi-fi configures window will appear but at this time we do not need to configure it. The best option is to skip this step at this time and click on next again.

Before finalizing the configuration here will ask for the software update. Similarly, select next and a software update will begin. As soon as the software update will finish so it asks for a restart.

Finally, click on the restart, and booting of raspberry pi will begin once again.

Enable vnc and ssh

Above all, you can see the raspberry symbol upper right side of the taskbar on the desktop move mouse and click over it. After that scroll down until the preferred option then select configuration.

However, Vnc and ssh are an integral part of raspberry pi operating systems. At last, only we need to enable vnc and ssh so that we can access through the network. Also similarly can enable I ² C, USART and gpio, etc.

Finally, select the interface tab and select vnc enable followed by an ok button. After that vnc and ssh configuration finished and now you can use it.

Later will display on the taskbar so that you can access it from the desktop.

What is RPi Operating Systems Setup

what-is-raspberry-operating-systems

Although rpi org officially supports the raspbian operating system. But on the other hand, third-party operating systems also available like Kali Linuxubuntuwindows 10, and many more.

Similarly many projects also available on different operating system platforms as well.

For example, Kodi is part of the LibreELEC operating system to convert pi into IPTV to run Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, and many more.

In addition RPi Popular Projects

Above all, some popular projects are media center, Minecraft server, security camera, weather station, home automation, smart mirror, Mycroft ai, etc.

In Conclusion RPi Projects Vs Uses

However, the purpose of rpi is to provide a cheap computer in developing countries. But at the same time, it is quite a powerful computer also.

Similarly supports Python, Ruby, Java-like modern languages which makes programming amazing. 

Besides, you can interface with different hardware platforms. Such flexibility makes it ideal for robotics and embedded projects.

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