Raspberry Pi

As the name suggests it is names after a fruit which is Raspberry and Pi comes from mathematics.

Let’s start with what is the 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. It is a capable little device that enables people of all ages to explore computing, and to learn how to program in languages like Scratch and Python.

Being small in size you might think how much power does the Raspberry Pi use?

In a Shutdown State.
5.23 V, 0.05 Amps = 0.26 Watts.
Overall. So we can see that the new Raspberry Pi B+ uses 1.21 Watts with just keyboard dongle vs 1.89 Wattsfor the old model B. The difference, 0.68 Watts might not sound like a lot, but it's 36% less power usage.

Now you wonder what kind operating system is used for this device?

The answer would be Linux. (Being a freeware Linux can be installed and used in almost every device from desktops to mobile phones Linux can be used in almost every device.)

The Raspberry Pi can run almost any Linux distro. Most used is Arch Linux.

Now we are going to discuss about some Linux Distros used in Raspberry Pi.

1. Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a one of the most popular distro among the Linux users and also one of my favorite Distro. Initially it doesn’t contain any GUI so the user has to use correct and appropriate command to install and operate it. It uses PACMAN installation scheme, so that one can use regular apps as well as all the basic features of Pure Unix. One can install GUI if necessary. Overall if one wants to use commands for every operation this Linux distro is recommend for such Users.

2. Kali Linux

Formally Known as the Backtrack. It made from base of Debian and made for Penetration testing. It is a simple looking Linux distro but it is equipped with powerful tools used for reverse engineering, Data Mining, and often for Hacking. It uses APT installation scheme. Despite having such powerful weapons some people use this is as a daily driver. Well I am using this Distro for quite a while now. Overall it is one of most used Linux Distro for Raspberry Pi.

3. Rabian Linux

Rasbian is a version of Debian made for Raspberry Pi. All the features are same as the Debian for desktops difference is compatibility options. It uses APT installation scheme and very easy to use.

 Now let’s shed some light on Architecture of Raspberry Pi, the basic Architecture contains

• Broadcom BCM2835 (CPU & GPU)
• 256/512MB SDRAM
• 1/2 USB 2.0 Ports
• None/Ethernet Port
• HDMI port
• Audio port
• SD Card Slot and an USB slot for power

The CPU architecture of this device is

• ARM11J6JZF-S (ARM11 Family)
• ARMv6 Architecture
• Single Core
• 32-Bit RISC
• 700 MHz Clock Rate
• 8 Pipeline Stages
• Branch Prediction

Being as small as a Credit card this portable device is quite powerful. As for the price of this device is concerned it is around Rs. 2500 – 5500.  Price may wary on the specifications. Such a small machine is used for Robotics, Game emulation, Media Servers, Education (Python is the primary language used), Powerful enough to be used as a personal computer and for thousands of other projects.

Raspberry Pi was created by Eben Upton, Rob Mullins, Jack Lang and Alan Mycroft at University of Cambridge.

They, in conjunction with Pete Lomas and David Braben, formed the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

It was created to provide inexpensive programming machines to today’s youth.

It is also the smallest CPU being regularly used by millions of people around the world. It’s like a portable CPU. Just imagine walking around the streets with a heavy laptop well this is the device for the young people these days. In the end of this article I conclude that Raspberry Pi can be considered a technology of the future.

- Nishanth Bhat K
  II BCA