Introduction to Single-Board

Computers and Microcontrollers

Or: The difference between
Arduino and Raspberry Pi
and alternatives

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Single-Board Computer vs. Microcontroller

Raspberry Pi Arduino UNO

Single-Board Computer Microcontroller (MCU)

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 Outline
• Introduction: Why they are popular
• Characteristics
• Two main skillsets required
• Single-board computer vs microcontroller:
– When to use which?
– Different Types of Microcontrollers
– Different Types of Single-board Computers

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 About Me
• Vision-based robot control
• UBCO Mechatronics Club
• Time-Lapse Photography

4
My Knowledge about Arduino/RPi
• http://edisondev.net/
– Tutorials and information about single-board
computers and microcontrollers
– “Late”st News

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 What can you do with Arduinos or Raspberry
Pis?

Jasper – Voice Controller powered by Rpi https://jasperproject.github.io

LED Cube - http://www.instructables.com/id/Led-Cube-8x8x8/
Flamethrower Jack-O-Lantern - http://www.instructables.com/id/Flamethrowing-Jack-O-Lantern/
Arduino RC- Lawnmower http://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-RC-Lawnmower/
Fermentation Monitoring - https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/131 6
Raspberry Eye - https://hackaday.io/project/865-raspberry-eye
 Why are they so popular?
• They are cheap
• They sense and manipulate the physical world
– GPIO pins (reading values/sending instructions)

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 Internet of Things (IoT)
• Connection of embedded computing devices
to the internet
– Home Automation
– Augmented Reality
• Connecting non-computer devices
– Aquariums
– Home Entertainment
– Etc.

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Single-Board Computer vs. Microcontroller
What is the difference?

Single-board Computers Microcontrollers

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Single-Board Computer vs. Microcontroller
What is needed for a Computer/Microcontroller?

Storage RAM

Processor

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Single-Board Computer vs. Microcontroller
Rough Specifications

Microcontrollers Single-Board
Computers
Processor Speed ~50 Mhz 1 Ghz +
Onboard Storage 64 Kb Flash, SD cards ~Gb
Memory (RAM) 64 Kb ~ 1 Gb
Power 12 mA 500 mA+
Consumption (2200 mAh battery -> 183hr) (2200 mAh battery-> 4.4 hr)
Reboot Time <1 sec ~ Multiple seconds
Other Features Operating system
Extendable Storage
Network Connection

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Single-Board Computer vs. Microcontroller
Examples of Embedded Systems

Broadcom BCM2835
CPU, GPU, RAM ATMega328
Storage
CPU, RAM, Storage
Image Source
http://pixshark.com/raspberry-pi-model-b-schematic.htm
http://images.studica.com/images/product/arduino/9a9b5c9e479e1a5b237b41a173d34dcfimage472x354_72_200x.gif

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Single-Board Computer vs. Microcontroller
Defining Features
• Single-board computer
– Lots of processing power
– Has operating system (Linux, Android, soon Windows)
– Monitor Connection
– Cheap, “weak” computer

• Microcontroller
– Devoted to having GPIO pins
– Low power, quick boot
– Very cheap (especially if you buy only IC)

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 Challenges for Beginners
• Working with these devices boils down to:

Programming Electronics Knowledge

Image Source: https://openclipart.org/

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First Challenge
Programming
• Loads of Examples from Community
– With little skill you can program an Arduino to do
simple things
• But how do you write a program to control a
robot arm?
– Mathematics
– Kinematics
– And other things you learn in school
– Need knowledge from diverse fields
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First Challenge
Programming – Simplifying Aspects
• Pre-written Libraries
• Code Examples
– https://github.com/
• Community help (Forums, StackExchange)
• Free online courses
– Search for “MIT Arduino Course”
– Programming courses on:
• Khan Academy
• Coursera
• Udacity

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Second Challenge
Electronics – the hard part
• Difficult to get started
• Easy to make mistakes
– Some mistakes cannot be undone
• Often needs additional equipment:
– Soldering Iron
– Voltmeter
– Oscilloscope

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Electronics
Simplifying Aspects
• Starter Packs and Kits
– Contain a minimum number of electronic
components that you may need
• Microcontroller Attachments
– Shields (for Arduino)
• Motor shields, sensor shields
– Capes (for Beagleboard)
– BoosterPacks (TI LaunchPad)

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Electronics
Simplifying Aspects
• A lot of electronics come like this:

• Solution: Breakout boards: pre-soldered

breadboard-ready electronics:

Source:
http://elecshop.blog.com/files/2014/01/313-44-TQFP.jpg
http://www.renesas.com/media/press/news/2010/20101006.jpg

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Electronics
Simplifying Aspects
• Community
– People who know things and are willing to share
– Accessible tutorials

http://xkcd.com/979/ 20
Microcontroller
Microcontroller vs. Expansion Boards
• Microcontrollers:

• Expansion Board:

Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcontroller

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Microcontroller
Microcontrollers Features
• Processor Speed (Mhz)
• RAM
• On-board storage (FLASH)
• GPIO Pins
• Analog to Digital Converters (ADC)
• Logic Level Voltage (3.3V or 5V)

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Microcontroller
Expansion Board Features
• Communication Cable Attachments
• Programmer
• Buttons
• Power Supply Connectors
• Pin connectors
• On-board Sensors
– (accelerometers, real-time clocks, temperature
sensors)

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 Microcontroller
Arduino UNO Board Diagram

USB Interface +
Arduino ATMEGA328P
Programmer
Source: http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/file/view/Arduino_Uno_Rev3-schematic.jpg/346644662/Arduino_Uno_Rev3-schematic.jpg
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Microcontrollers
Arduino
Arduino Nano
Arduino Mega2560
Arduino Uno (ATmega328)

Microcontroller ATmega328 ATmega2560 ATmega328

Flash Memory 32KB 256KB 32KB
Clock Speed 16MHz 16MHz 16 MHz
RAM 2KB 8KB 1KB
Price (approx, USD) $24.95here $45.95 here $34.99 here
Digital I/O Pins 14 54 14

http://arduino.cc/
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Microcontrollers
Arduino IDE - Programming
• http://arduino.cc/

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Microcontrollers
STM Microcontrollers
STM32L DISCOVERY STM32 Nucleo F401RE
STM32L152RBT6 Cortex-M3 STM32F401RET6
Microcontroller CPU
Flash Memory 128KB 2 MB
Clock Speed 32 Mhz 180 Mhz
RAM 16KB 256 KB
Price (approx, $10.50 here $12.40 here
USD)
1 touch sensor
Other 1 LCD display

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http://www.st.com/web/catalog/tools/PF250990
 Programming Any Microcontroller
• Eclipse https://eclipse.org/

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Microcontrollers
Texas Instruments LaunchPad
Tiva C Series
MSP430F5529
MSP-EXP430G2 TMC4C1294
TM4C1294NCPDT
Microcontroller MSP430 MSP430 ARM Cortex-M4
Flash Memory 16 KB 128KB 1 MB
Clock Speed 16 Mhz 25 MHz 120 Mhz
RAM 512B 8KB 256 KB
Price (approx, USD) $9.99 here $12.99 here $19.99 here
Other Ethernet

http://www.ti.com/ww/en/launchpad/launchpad.html 29
Microcontrollers
LaunchPad Programming
Energia
Code Composer Studio
http://energia.nu/

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 Microcontrollers
Thousands Others
Some of these had limited production runs or have been discontinued.

Nanode Pinguino PIC32

Beetle

Ruggeduino Freescale Teensy

Gamebuino
Freedom
Beetle: http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/Beetle_SKU:DFR0282
Nanode: http://www.nanode.eu/
Pinguino PIC32: https://www.olimex.com/Products/Duino/PIC32/PIC32-PINGUINO/open-source-hardware
Ruggeduino: http://www.ruggedcircuits.com/ruggeduino/
Gamebuino: http://gamebuino.com/
Freescale Freedom: http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?code=FREDEVPLA
Teensy: https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/ 31
 Single-Board Computers
• Properties
– Processor Speed (Ghz, Multiple core)
– RAM (speed of RAM)
– Video Card (Home entertainment)
– On-board storage (FLASH)
– Hard-drive storage
– GPIO pins
– Features
• Audio jack
• IR remote
• Blue tooth
• Other connectors

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Single-Board Computers
Hidden Costs
• Minimum:

SD card Ethernet Connection USB Power

• Other Requirements:

HDMI connection + Monitor Keyboard + Mouse +

USB Hub (sometimes)
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Single-Board Computers
Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi Model B Raspberry Pi 2

Processor ARM1176JZF-S core Quad-core ARM7
Flash Memory None None
Clock Speed 700 MHz 800 MHz
RAM 512MB 1 GB
Price (approx, USD) $39.95 $35.00

Other Features 2x USB ports 4x USB2.0

26x GPIO pins 40x GPIO pins

http://www.raspberrypi.org/
Image Source: http://www.techradar.com/news/computing-components/peripherals/raspberry-pi-2-outed-with-faster-cpu-double-ram-and-windows-10-support-1283075

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Single-Board Computers
Beaglebone Black

Beaglebone Black
Processor 1GHZ
2GB 8-bit eMMC on-board
Flash Memory storage
RAM 512MB DDR3
• Open Hardware
Architecture
Other Features
• 1x USB port
• 92x GPIO pins

Price (approx, USD) $45.00

http://beagleboard.org/
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Single board Computers
Banana Pi

Banana Pi

Processor 1 GHz dual core

Flash Memory None

RAM 1GB DD3

SATA Connection
Other Features Audio Connector
2x USB

Price (approx, USD) $60

http://www.bananapi.org/
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Single board Computers
ODROID-C1

ODROID-C1

Processor 1.5GHz quad core

Flash Memory slot for expansion

RAM 1GB DD3

Infrared (IR) receiver

Other Features 4x USB

Price (approx, USD) $36.95

http://www.hardkernel.com
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Single-Board Computers
UDOO

UDOO Quad

Processor Quad-core 1GHz

Flash Memory None (SATA connector)

RAM 1 GB DDR3

2x USB port
WiFi Module
Other Features 76 x GPIO pins
Analog Audio and Mic

Price (approx, USD) $135.00

http://www.udoo.org/
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Single board Computers
Firefly-RK3288

Firefly-RK3288

Processor 1.8GHz quad core

Flash Memory 16 GB
RAM 2 GB DD3

Infrared (IR) receiver

Other Features VGA adapter
2x USB

Price (approx, USD) $189

http://www.t-firefly.com/en/
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 Conclusion
• Community is Key
– If you learn something, share.
• Don’t just stick to the “popular” devices.
• For low power requirements, simple tasks, use
microcontroller.

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