They are capable of so much from complex calculations, to increasing productivity, storing information, keeping you connected to others, and so much more.

The Raspberry Pi is essentially a computer that can fit in the palm of your hand, without sacrificing any of the functionalities of a typical computer.

But, is a raspberry pi an embedded system? Yes, a raspberry pi is considered an embedded system as it has all requirements of one which includes having a combination of software and hardware such as a processor, memory, and input/output peripheral devices. 

This article shall take a closer look at embedded systems and raspberry pis, to give you a better understanding of why a raspberry pi is an embedded system. 

What is an embedded system?

To better understand the question at hand, it will help to first take a deeper look at what is an embedded system.

So what exactly is an embedded system?

An embedded system can be defined as a system which is a combination of hardware and software, used to perform a set of objectives within mechanical and electrical/electronic systems. 

Different parts of an embedded system  

At the heart of all embedded systems lies the Central Processing Unit (CPU), which carries out all the instructions. 

The CPU can either be a microprocessor, or microcontroller.

It is responsible for generating instructions, as well as receiving and transmitting data to other hardware modules, much like a traffic cop directing cars at a busy intersection. 

The other hardware modules within an embedded system include;

• Memory
• User interface 
• Inputs
• Outputs
• Communication ports
• Power supply 

But, an embedded system does not necessarily have to include all these hardware components to be considered one. 

But, all this hardware needs a set of instructions otherwise it might as well be a paperweight. This is where Software comes in.

Software is written and then downloaded and stored in a special memory location. The processor is then in charge of looking at it and executing it accordingly. 

It is a set of instructions that will govern how the embedded system will operate (independently or within a larger system).  

Common example of an embedded system

The most common embedded system you will have had an interaction with is a Computer.

So why is a computer an embedded system?

Computers use a combination of hardware and software to perform various functions. 

Its hardware components include;

• Central Processing Unit (microprocessor)
• Memory
• Power supply
• User Interface (display)
• Input/Output peripherals (mouse, keyboard)
• Communication ports (USB, Serial port, ethernet)

Computers use microprocessors as their processing unit, due to their faster capabilities compared to microcontrollers. 

All computers come with what is known as an Operating System (OS), which is the software aspect of the embedded system. 

It governs how all parts of the system (hardware and software) interact with each other.

Different types of embedded system

We are surrounded by embedded systems. 

They have many purposes and are used for a myriad of applications varying in complexity from very simple, to very complex.

Embedded systems with less memory, processing power, hardware components, are considered less complex to ones that need more of the things just mentioned.

The smartphone that you use to check the time (and other complex tasks of course), is an example of a complex embedded system.

Whereas, a toaster doesn’t need much in terms of processing power and hardware to function and that is why it is classed as a simple embedded system. 

Below is a list of many varying embedded systems (this is by no means an exhaustive list);

• MP3 players
• Smart televisions
• Gaming consoles
• Digital wristwatch
• Calculators
• Air fryer
• Kitchenware (refrigerators, microwaves, toaster, ovens,etc). 
• Self driving cars
• Smartphones
• Weather stations
• Digital cameras 

Closer look at the raspberry pi

You might have one of your own, or might have heard about their awesome abilities.

But what exactly is a Raspberry Pi?

The raspberry pi is a small sized computer on a single board that can fit in the palm of your hand.

While it might be slower than a laptop or desktop computer, it still has all the capabilities and features that you would expect from a normal computer.

At its size, the raspberry pi definitely punches above its weight!

Different parts of a raspberry pi

The raspberry pi has evolved over the years and now includes many different variations. Each variation might have different unique capabilities to its peers.

For example, one version might have wi-fi capabilities. 

Below is a list of the different versions;

1. Raspberry Pi 1 Model A
2. Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+
3. Raspberry Pi 1 Model B
4. Raspberry Pi 1 Model B+
5. Raspberry Pi 2 Model B
6. Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
7. Raspberry Pi Zero

However, while they might have different capabilities, the overall construction of raspberry pis are quite similar.

The image below shows the different parts of a raspberry (note,this highlights the latest version of the raspberry pi which has more features compared to the earlier versions).

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI):

This is an output port used for transmitting video and audio data to HDMI capable devices like a computer screen or television. This allows you to display information on these devices.

Camera Serial Interface (CSI):

If you ever needed to include a camera in your next project, you would need to use the camera serial interface. 

Display Interface (DSI):

You might not need the extent of a Computer screen or Television screen as a display. A simple LCD might suffice. The DSI allows you to interface an LCD to the raspberry pi. 

Stereo Audio:

The stereo audio port allows you to add sound to your project! 

USB ports:

Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a standard of communication and connection between USB capable devices,cables and connectors. They allow computers to interface with peripheral devices like a keyboard, mouse, printer, and more. So you have the ability to connect these devices to your raspberry pi as well.

Ethernet Port:

The internet is a treasure trove of information and entertainment. If you want to get a piece of this using your raspberry pi, you will need to be able to connect to it. The ethernet port gives you the ability to access the internet via a RJ45 port which supports CAT 5/6 cables. 

USB-C:

The raspberry pi without any source of power is a redundant paper weight. The USB-C port allows us to power it using chargers rated at 5V / 3A. 

SD-Card Slot:

This is used to house SD-Cards, which is the memory of the raspberry pi. Things like the raspberry pi’s operating system, audio/video files, etc, are stored on the SD-Card. 

Bluetooth:

USB allows us to communicate with other devices via cables. Bluetooth on the other hand allows us to communicate with other bluetooth capable devices wirelessly. 

General Purpose Input/Output pins (GPIO):

If you need to interface the physical world with your raspberry pi, you will need to use any of the 32 GPIO pins. 

They allow you to connect and control electronic inputs and outputs such as sensors, Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), motors, buttons, switches and much more. 

Is a raspberry pi an embedded system?

We have learnt the definition of an embedded system and taken a closer look at the raspberry pi.

So, is a raspberry pi an embedded system?

Yes, the raspberry pi is an embedded system. This is because the raspberry pi matches the definition of what an embedded system is, which is a system that is a combination of software and hardware used to perform a set of operations within a mechanical or electrical/electronic system.

Also we found out that a computer is an embedded system, and the raspberry pi is a small computer. 

However, a note has to be made. 

As mentioned, an embedded system also needs to have a software aspect to it. A brand new raspberry pi out the box (or one that hasn’t been loaded with an operating system yet), does not have any software. 

It is just hardware. 

At this instance in time it cannot be considered an embedded system. Only once loaded with an operating system and other appropriate software can it be fully considered to be an embedded system.

Applications of a raspberry pi embedded system

Due to its number of capabilities and versatility, the raspberry pi has an abundance of uses, and can be found in many different applications. 

The raspberry pi is used by the daily DIYer, as well as the experienced engineer. It can be used as a standalone embedded system, or integrated into a bigger system. 

Below are some of the many applications where the raspberry pi is used as an embedded system;

• Desktop PC
• Wireless printing network
• Media center
• Gaming servers
• Retro arcade machines
• Robotics
• Image and Video capture
• Music player
• Web servers
• Home automation

I could go on, but you get the jist. 

It can essentially be used in any application as the main processing hub as long as the needs of the application and the capabilities of the raspberry pi align. 

The rest is up to your imagination. 

Are all the different versions of raspberry pi embedded systems?

Yes, all raspberry pis are embedded systems (as long as they have software).

The only difference between different versions of the raspberry pi is that features and specifications will vary from one version to the next.

Speed is one example of how they can vary. 

The Raspberry Pi A+ has a 700 MHz processor, while its peer the Raspberry Pi Zero Wireless has one that reaches speeds of 1GHz.

The table below includes the popular raspberry pi versions and highlights key features that they have or do not have.

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But, does a Raspberry Pi 4 have bluetooth? Yes, the raspberry pi 4 comes with bluetooth which allows you to connect to and exchange data wirelessly with other bluetooth capable devices such as smartphones, keyboards, speakers, sensor, etc.

What version of bluetooth does the Raspberry Pi 4 have? 

The raspberry pi 4 has a bluetooth module which is the latest version being Bluetooth 5.0. This is great news as you get all the upgraded features of the latest version which includes faster speeds, range and bandwidth.

Also, having bluetooth 5.0 gives the raspberry pi 4 the ability to connect to a wide range of bluetooth devices that range from low power such as wireless earphones, to large sensors used in home automation. 

Bluetooth devices the Raspberry pi 4 can connect to

Having bluetooth opens up a new door to a wide range of new possibilities for projects, as there are many other bluetooth devices it can connect to. With the new low power capabilities, many devices opt for data transfer via bluetooth. 

Below is a list of some of the bluetooth devices a raspberry pi 4 can connect with:

• Smartphones
• NeoPixels (light modules)
• Heart Rate monitors
• Keyboards
• Mouse
• Bluetooth Adapters 
• Speakers 
• Headphones / Earphones
• Oximeter 
• Computers
• Printer 
• Sensors 

This isn’t an exhaustive list by any means, but one just to give you a jist of what is available. 

Can a Raspberry Pi 4 connect to a device with a lower version of bluetooth?

So if the raspberry pi 4 has bluetooth version 5, does that mean it is restricted to connecting to devices that only have the same version? No, Bluetooth 5 is backward compatible. 

This means that even though the raspberry pi 4 has the latest version of bluetooth, it will be able to connect to devices which have previous versions. Great news for us as you won’t be restricted to what device you can connect to.

Setting up bluetooth on the Raspberry Pi 4

Now that we know the raspberry pi 4 has bluetooth, the next major hurdle will be setting it up. Unfortunately for us, the raspberry pi 4 does not come with the bluetooth setup. So you will need to do it yourself. Below is a great resource with instructions on how to set it up.

https://linuxhint.com/setup_bluetooth_raspberry_pi/

How do you know if your raspberry pi has bluetooth?

Knowing if a raspberry pi has bluetooth comes down to a couple of checks. 

If you still have the packaging you can find out what model you have and check to see if it’s any of the four models that were mentioned above having bluetooth.

However, if you have lost the packaging fear not, as the model should be written on the board itself. 

Also, you can physically check the board to see if it has the bluetooth chipset as shown in the image below. 

What are the benefits of having bluetooth on a raspberry pi?

As we saw earlier, bluetooth opens up doors to many possibilities for new projects. But, one of the major benefits is being able to transfer data without the need of wires.

You might have experienced the frustrations that come with trying to tame unruly pieces of wire. Bluetooth eliminates this stress entirely.

Also, you are not restricted to a specific space when using bluetooth.

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Nowadays a computer can come the size of a credit card that can fit in the palm of your hand.

The Raspberry Pi is this tiny computer that you can fit in the palm of your hand. 

This great little device doesn’t require you to have a fancy computing or software degree to get started and make epic computing and digital projects.

Does the raspberry pi need additional external hardware?

Yes, the raspberry pi will require some external hardware . It will require external hardware such as a power supply, power cables, keyboard, mouse and programming cable. These are essential pieces of hardware required to get the raspberry pi up and running. If your project isn’t very complex, these might be the only external hardware that you require.

If your project is a bit more complex and requires additional inputs, and outputs, then you will require more external hardware. 

This article shall breakdown the necessary external hardware that is required for the setup, as well as other miscellaneous hardware you could use for projects down the line. 

What hardware does a raspberry pi already have

But before we look at what external hardware that is needed for the raspberry pi, let’s take a closer look at what hardware it comes standard with. 

Early on, the raspberry pi was only limited to a couple versions. However, nowadays, you have a plethora of choices of raspberry pi to suit your needs.

There are many different versions available, each having its own unique characteristic.

However, the basic core hardware that it comes standard with will remain consistent across all versions, so for the purpose of this article, we shall concentrate on the latest model which is the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B.

As mentioned earlier, the raspberry pi is the size of a credit card, yet has all the capabilities of your desktop computer.

The image above shows the raspberry pi 4 board and all its hardware components that it comes standard with on board.  

Raspberry Pi hardware components

Let’s take a closer look at all the hardware components and what  each one of them are responsible for. 

Note, if you already know what hardware the raspberry pi already has, you can skip this part to the next section. 

Processor

This is the main hardware component of any computing system. Imagine that the processor is the brain of the whole system. 

The processor is also commonly referred to as the Central Processing Unit (CPU). 

The human brain has the job of managing and computing information it receives from inputs like our senses, as well as controlling outputs like our muscles.

The processor in a computer and raspberry pi has the same tasks.It receives information from inputs and sends instructions to outputs. 

Most of the raspberry pis will use a Microprocessor as the processing unit. However, there are a couple versions that utilise a Microcontroller. 

The more powerful the processor, the faster it can complete tasks. 

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Random Access Memory or RAM, as its name suggests, is a form of memory. 

But, unlike long term memory, RAM is used for storing data during runtime for a particular task, such as loading an application. 

You have the choice of 2GB, 4GB or 8GB of RAM for newer models of raspberry pi. 

USB ports

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, and defines a universal standard for the connection, communication, and power supply between computers and peripherals using a set of cables and connectors. 

The raspberry pi 4 includes;

• 2 x USB 3.0 ports 
• 2 x USB 2.0 ports 

You can use these to connect peripheral devices such as a mouse, keyboard and many other USB capable devices. 

Ethernet

There are many situations where multiple computers will need to work together and communicate with each other.

Ethernet is a technology that enables us to do exactly that and connect computers together so that they can communicate with each other. 

Data is formatted and transmitted in a way so that computers on the same network can recognize and understand. 

Unlike wireless communication, ethernet uses cables and just like USB, ethernet has a set of its own unique cables and connectors. 

The raspberry pi has an ethernet port which means you can connect it to other computers, or ethernet compatible devices.

HDMI ports

Since the Raspberry Pi is like a computer, you are going to need a way to display information. 

Over the years, the cables that we use to transmit video (and audio), to devices that display information, such as television and computer screens have evolved.

Older methods of displaying video include;

• Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
• Serial Digital Interface (SDI)
• Video Graphics Array (VGA)
• DisplayPort

However, HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), is now the most common way of transmitting uncompressed video and audio.

There are two micro-HDMI ports that allow you to connect the raspberry pi to HDMI compatible devices of up to 4K resolution.

Older models have only one HDMI port. 

USB-C Power supply

Without a source of power, the raspberry pi is nothing more than a paper weight. 

Since most standard chargers now use USB-C style cables, the raspberry pi has a USB-C style port to allow you to easily power it. 

40-Pin GPIO header

With its awesome processing powers, the raspberry pi can be utilised in a plethora of projects that include robotics, gaming consoles, media centre, speech recognition, and much much more. 

The GPIO (general purpose input output) header allows you to connect peripheral input/output devices such as motors, sensors, buttons, lights, and many others.

The raspberry pi allows you to communicate to these input/outputs via the 40-Pin GPIO header. 

Micro-SD

SD (secure digital) cards are a type of digital card used as a means of data storage. They are used in many devices such as smartphones, digital cameras, portable gaming devices, mp3 players, etc.

Their main purpose in a raspberry pi is to provide initial storage for the operating system and other files. 

4-pole stereo audio and composite video

The raspberry pi 4 has a 4-pole, 3.5mm audio jack, which also includes a composite video signal (this allows for the omission for the composite video socket, which was on earlier models).  

2-lane MIPI-CSI camera port 000

You can interface a small camera to the raspberry pi to the Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI), Camera Serial Interface (CSI).

2-lane MIPI-DSI display port

We know you can connect the raspberry pi to television and computer screens. But, you might not require such a large display for all projects. 

The raspberry pi has a Mobile Industry Processor Interface (MIPI) Display Serial Interface (DSI), that enables you to connect smaller displays such as a  Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

We have seen that there are a couple methods (ethernet and USB) that the raspberry pi uses for data transmission. 

Both of them being a wired connection.

The raspberry pi also has two wireless options for data transfer and communication; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Wi-Fi enables the raspberry pi to connect to the internet, while the bluetooth module allows it to transfer data.

Does a raspberry pi need external hardware

We have just covered all the standard hardware that a raspberry pi comes with. So, does it need external hardware?

Yes, the raspberry pi will require additional external hardware to what it already has. 

However, depending on the application it will be used for, there will be some external hardware that will be more essential than others. 

Therefore the external hardware will be split into two sections; essential and optional. 

Essential external hardware that a raspberry pi needs

As mentioned before, the raspberry pi is essentially a computer. Therefore, just like a computer it will require some external hardware. 

Power supply and cable

Before you can start programming the raspberry pi, you will need to provide it with power. No power, and the raspberry pi might as well be a rock.

So it will need a power supply, and power cable. 

The power supply will need to provide a voltage of at least 5V and current of 2A.

Lucky for you, most standard phone chargers can have these exact power ratings, as well as have a USB-C style cable, which means you might possibly have a power supply and cable laying around your house. 

SD card

Unfortunately, when you buy a raspberry pi, it does not include a SD card and you are going to need one to load the operating system onto. 

However, fear not, SD cards are quite readily available, which means you will be able to find one at your local electronic store 

Display and  micro HDMI cable

While you might not require a display for your project, you are going to need one for the initial setup and programming. 

So you will need a ;

• Display (television screen, computer screen, etc)
• Micro HDMI cable
• HDMI adapter (if the screen you are using has not HDMI ports, you will need to appropriate HDMI adapter)

Keyboard and mouse

Lastly, you will need a keyboard and mouse to help you type code and manoeuvre. 

Again, this will only be needed for the initial stages (unless your project specifically requires a keyboard and mouse later on). 

Optional external hardware that a raspberry pi  might need

Next we have external hardware that is optional. This means you don’t need it for setup, or programming, but might need them for a particular type of project you might be doing.

For example if you were building a robotic arm, you would require servo motors. 

Below are a set of optional external hardware;

Ethernet cable – if you want to connect the raspberry pi to another computer, or ethernet capable devices

USB 2.0/3.0 cable – to connect to USB capable devices; printers, scanners, webcam, etc

15-pin ribbon cable – this cable will help you interface a LCD screen to the raspberry pi via the MIPI DSI socket, as well as if you want to interface a camera (which you would do through the MIPI CSI socket). 

3.5mm audio cable – for connecting audio devices 

Connections of 40-pin GPIO – there are many inputs and outputs that you can connect to the 40-pin header of the raspberry pi. So the list below is not an exhaustive list by any means. 

• Sensors
• Buttons
• Switches
• Keypads
• Motors 
• Lights 
• Jumper wires (for connecting the inputs and outputs to the header pins)

Where do you connect external hardware to a raspberry pi

All the external mentioned above, have dedicated sockets where they plug into. For example, an ethernet cable has to be plugged into the ethernet port of the raspberry pi. 

The image below shows all the sockets that external hardware gets plugged into.

How do you know if you need these external hardware for a raspberry pi

While you will need some hardware for the initial setup (screen, hdmi cable, mouse, keyboard), what extra  external hardware that you will require all depends on the needs of the application. 

For example, if you are designing a light system, you will require the appropriate lighting hardware and wires for connecting them.

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