RASPBERRY PI - The Micro controller for the masses

The Rapberry PI attemps to be the microcontroller for the next generation of robot builders.  This little micro computer was built by the Raspberry foundation in order to promote computer science in schools.   It is specifically aimed at kids but it is an easy entry-level product to get into robot building.

   The Raspberry Pi has been the object of media much media attention.  It probably has as many fan based projects and tutorials available online as those found for the Lego Mindstorms creations.  People all over the net have let their imaginations run wild and have created remote controlled robots, super computers, set-top box, media center and anything you could imagine.  It is probably the greatest thing since the Arduino micro controller.

The Raspberry PI

   So whats so good about it?  It is as powerful as an original Xbox and the target price is around $25.  It is also rumored that it has enough video power to play 720p video.  Just imagine the possibilities.  It runs on the Linux operating system and it has enough power to run the Xbox Media Center.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS

• Broadcom Videocore IV Graphics 
• 700 Mhz ARM CPU (ARM 11) on par with Pentium 2 2.00(estimated)
• 256 shared memory
• SD/MMC card slot
• 3.5 mm jack
• HDMI
• RJ45 Ethernet port
• Debian Linux based Operating System
• Composite RCA out
• Up to 1920 X 1200 HDMI resolution
• Low Power Consumption

   The Raspberry Pi has been in development since 2006.  The device started selling during 2011 and it has obtained support from many companies.  The Kickstarter Project has also been able to raise enough money to continue supporting the device.

   There are two models as of 2012 .  Model A and Model B.  Model B has an added USB port and Ethernet support.  Quantities of the Raspberry Pi seem to be limited so the price seems to have gone up for a while.  Lets just hope they eventually settle down to their target prices.

Specifications (From Wikipedia)

	Model A	Model B
Target price:	US$ 25	US$ 35
SoC:	Broadcom BCM2835 (CPU, GPU, DSP, and SDRAM)
CPU:	700 MHz ARM1176JZF-S core (ARM11 family)
GPU:	Broadcom VideoCore IV,  OpenGL ES 2.0, MPEG-2 & VC-1 (with license), 1080p30h.264/MPEG-4 AVC high-profile decoder and encoder
Memory (SDRAM):	256 MB (shared with GPU)
USB 2.0 ports:	1	2 (via integrated USB hub)
Video outputs:	Composite RCA (PAL & NTSC), HDMI (rev 1.3 & 1.4),raw LCD Panels via DSI 14 HDMI resolutions from 640×350 to 1920×1200 plus various PAL and NTSC standards.
Audio outputs:	3.5 mm jack, HDMI
Onboard storage:	SD / MMC / SDIO card slot
Onboard network:	None	10/100 Ethernet (RJ45)
Low-level peripherals:	8 × GPIO, UART, I²C bus, SPI bus with two chip selects, +3.3 V, +5 V, ground
Power ratings:	300 mA (1.5 W)	700 mA (3.5 W)
Power source:	5 volt via Micro USBor GPIO header
Size:	85.60 × 53.98 mm (3.370 × 2.125 in)
Weight:	45 g (1.6 oz)
Planned operating systems:	Debian GNU/Linux, Fedora, Arch Linux ARM,RISC OS

   There is already a bunch of books published for the device.  I would recommend checking out Amazon for them.


OFFICIAL SITE  >>>  RASPBERRY PI  >>> http:///www.raspberrypi.org
ARS TECHNICA >>> Raspberry Pi Super Computer >>> Raspberry Pi based supercomputer built
TECH REPUBLIC >>> 10 Coolest uses for the Blackberry Pi >>> Read More about the best uses of the Raspberry Pi
WIKIPEDIA >>> Raspberry PI >>> More info on the Raspberry PI
YOUTUBE >>> Raspberry Pi Tutorials >>> Learn More about the Projects you can undertake with the Raspberry PI
AMAZON  >>> Buy the Raspberry PI (Model B)  >>> Raspberry PI (Model B)

INTRODUCTION TO THE RASPBERRY PI