MicroSD cards are widely used with single-board computers such as the Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson Nano (the 2 and 4GB variants), and Odroid. In addition to single-board computers, various embedded devices rely on MicroSD cards for storage, data logging, firmware updates, and booting operating systems. MicroSD cards are cost-effective, offering the lowest per-gigabyte cost among…
How to setup headless Raspberry Pi for remote access using SSH and VNC
Raspberry Pi is currently the most widely used single-board computer in the world. Launched in October 2023, Raspberry Pi 5 is the latest version of the development board, offering more significant computing power, an enhanced GPU, and faster memory than its predecessors. Among single-board computers, Raspberry Pi remains the most ubiquitous, outpacing alternatives like BeagleBone,…
RPi Python Programming 01: Introduction to Raspberry Pi 4
Raspberry Pi is a credit-card sized, single-board computer developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, a UK-based charity that works to ensure global access of computing and digital technology. It was initially developed as a low-cost microcomputer to impart digital skills to kids. It comes without any power supply or peripherals as it’s meant to be programmed…
How to build a LoRa gateway using Raspberry Pi
As its name suggests, long-range wide-area network or LoRaWAN technology is widely used for long-range, low-power communication in Internet-of-things (IoT) applications. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of connecting an SX130x 868M LoRaWAN Gateway Module to a Raspberry Pi 4 using hardware attached on top (HAT). This setup creates a LoRaWAN gateway,…
What are the top development boards for AI and ML?
Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) are no longer limited to high-end servers or cloud platforms. Thanks to new developments in integrated circuits (IC) and software technology, it’s possible to implement ML algorithms and deep learning neural networks on tiny controllers and microcomputers. And these embedded devices installed at edges must no longer rely…
How to design a power supply for Raspberry Pi
In this do-it-yourself circuit, we’ll design a Raspberry Pi (RPi) power supply. First, we’ll create a list to follow as a blueprint for the circuit, ensuring we design it correctly. Let’s start with a list of our goals for the circuit. Goals 1. A steady power supply: Ensure RPi receives a consistent and stable…
Part 1: Types of open-source LoRa gateways and servers
ChirpStack is an open-source LoRaWAN Network Server that provides a solution for managing and maintaining LoRaWAN networks. LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide-area networking protocol. This article offers a step-by-step guide to ChirpStack installation, allowing a stable Internet-of-Things (IoT) network foundation. To learn how to connect and set up the initial hardware, please refer to this article:…
How to use the Raspberry Pi camera with OpenCV
OpenCV is a popular cross-platform framework for image processing and real-time computer vision. The software framework is useful for efficiently developing real-time computer vision applications that would be extremely time-consuming to create from scratch. The power of OpenCV’s framework is that it runs seamlessly on embedded platforms like microcomputers. This means developing and running embedded…
How do you list Raspberry Pi’s users?
Raspberry Pi (RPi) is a popular microcomputer used for embedded systems design, hosting high-level applications that run over an operating system. Many of these applications have multiple active users with different permissions and access to system resources. As a result, there may be situations when it’s important to know what users are sharing the device.…
How to build a Raspberry Pi VPN server
Cyber security is a growing concern. As homes and offices are more connected than ever, the risk of cyber attacks, identity theft, and hacking has increased significantly. A network has several smart devices connected to one another and the internet. In the case of a cyber-attack, each connected device is at risk. One effective way…
How to install and run Auto-GPT on Raspberry Pi
ChatGPT, a language model-based chatbot, has been popular since its launch in November 2022 by OpenAI. Currently, it has more than 100 million users. The platform generated 1.6 billion visits in June 2023 alone. The AI chatbot offers several applications, such as language translation, summarization, and content generation. However, it’s not a perfect substitute for…
How to send MQTT data from ESP32/ESP8266 to Raspberry Pi
It’s possible to set up a do-it-yourself home automation system with an ESP board and Raspberry Pi (RPi). Both offer Wi-Fi connectivity and can easily communicate via a home network. However, a communication protocol is required for wireless communication for devices operating in a wider network. Since conventional internet protocols like HTTP are typically too…
How to convert Raspberry Pi into a 24×7 Torrent Box
Torrents are a popular way of distributing and sharing files on the internet. Next to browsing, torrenting is the next most common activity on the web. The person who uploads the torrent seed or users who have already downloaded the file are called seeders. Those who are in the process of downloading files are known…
What are the top open-source software systems for home automation?
Home automation is quickly becoming mainstream, letting residents easily connect with and remotely control appliances or security systems. To support these efforts, there are several popular “smart” home systems available, such as Amazon Hub, Google Nest, Amazon Echo, Apple HomeKit, Hue Smart Hub, and others. For the hobbyist or do-it-yourselfer (DIY), customized home automation systems…
RPi Python Programming 21: The SIM900A AT commands
In the previous tutorial, we covered how to interface a SIM900A GSM-GPRS modem with Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and desktop computers. SIM900A can communicate data with the controlling device over the universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART), I2C, or SPI protocol. The modem is a piece of mobile equipment with an IMEI number that’s capable of all cellular…
RPi Python Programming 22: Calls & SMS using a SIM900A GSM-GPRS modem
In the previous tutorial, we covered the AT commands that are supported by a SIM900 GSM-GPRS modem. We’ve already discussed how to interface a SIM900A GSM-GPRS modem with Raspberry Pi, Arduino, as well as other microcontrollers and desktop computers. Now, it’s time to use this modem to make and receive calls, and send and receive…
RPi Python Programming 23: Interfacing a NEO-6MV2 GPS module with Raspberry Pi
In the previous tutorial, we learned how to interface a SIM900 GSM-GPRS modem with Raspberry Pi (RPi) and a desktop computer. We employed serial UART communication to “talk” with the SIM900 modem. By using bidirectional data communication with the modem via a standard UART interface, we were able to make/receive calls and send/receive SMS messages on RPi and…
RPi Python Programming 24: I2C explained
In the previous tutorial, we covered how to interface a NEO-6M GPS module with Raspberry Pi (RPi). The module communicates with RPi over the universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter or UART protocol. The UART is the most common point-to-point data communication protocol. But, it’s not the only serial communication protocol. In embedded electronics, I2C and SPI protocols are…
RPi Python Programming 25 – Synchronous serial communication in Raspberry Pi using I2C protocol
In the previous tutorial, we discussed the basics of the I2C protocol. In most of the embedded devices, either UART otherwise I2C is used for console messages. In this tutorial, we will discuss serial communication in Raspberry Pi using the I2C protocol. I2C in Raspberry Pi For serial communication over the I2C protocol, the Broadcom…
How to design an online home-surveillance system using Raspberry Pi
Camera streaming systems have become popular, enabling users to record and/or live stream a video over the Internet. The Raspberry Pi (RPi) camera is widely used for its streaming feature as it easily captures live images and videos. Plus, it’s straightforward to interface the RPi camera with the Raspberry Pi 2/3/4 — or any other…