Module 4 IoT Physical Devices & End points: What is a loT Device, Raspberry Pi, About the Board, Linux on Raspberry Pi, Raspberry Pi interfaces, Programming Raspberry Pi with Python, Case Studies illustrating IoT design – Home Automation, Cities, Agriculture.
IoT Physical Devices & Endpoints Definition: IoT devices are physical objects with unique network identities, capable of sensing, processing, communicating, and sometimes actuating based on data collected or received. Components: Sensing modules (temperature, humidity, light, etc.) Actuation mechanisms (relays, servos, switches) Communication interfaces (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet) Processing and analysis capability (on-device or cloud).
Block Diagram of IOt
Connectivity: USB Host: For connecting peripherals such as keyboards, mice, sensors, or additional storage devices. RJ45/Ethernet: Provides network connectivity to enable data communication over LAN or the Internet. Processor: CPU (Central Processing Unit): Acts as the brain of the device, responsible for executing instructions, handling data, and controlling other components. Graphics: GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Manages graphical output, used for video processing, interface displays, or graphical computations. Audio/Video: Interfaces like HDMI, 3.5mm audio, and RCA video allow the device to output sound and video to external displays or speakers.
Interfaces: UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter): Serial communication for simple sensor/actuator interfaces. SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface): High-speed communication with sensors, ADCs, displays, etc. I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit): Multi-device, two-wire communication (for sensors and low-speed peripherals). CAN (Controller Area Network): Used in automotive and industrial systems for robust communications. Storage Interfaces: SD/MMC/SDIO: Memory interfaces for expandable storage (typically SD cards or embedded MMC modules).
Memory Interfaces: NAND/NOR: Types of flash non-volatile storage for firmware and bootloaders. DDR1/DDR2/DDR3: Types of DRAM for temporary program and data storage, supporting system performance. Interconnect (Central Bus): All major modules connect to this central pathway, enabling communication and data transfer among CPU, GPU, memory, storage, and interfaces.
Raspberry Pi board
Raspberry Pi GPIO Headers General Purpose Input Output (GPIO) headers allow the Raspberry Pi to interface with a wide range of external electronic components, such as sensors, LEDs, buttons, and relays. These pins can be programmed for input or output functions and support communication protocols like I2C and SPI. RCA Video RCA Video port is used to connect the Raspberry Pi to analog video devices, such as older TVs or monitors that use composite video signals. This provides basic video output when HDMI is not available. Audio Jack Audio Jack allows analog audio output for headphones or speakers. It delivers standard 3.5mm stereo sound from the Pi, useful for multimedia applications or simple audio projects.
Status LEDs Status LEDs provide visual feedback about the Raspberry Pi’s power status, SD card activity, and networking activity. These indicators help diagnose power and boot problems. DSI Connector Display DSI (Display Serial Interface) Connector is a dedicated interface for connecting official Raspberry Pi touchscreens and displays, enabling a direct, fast connection for outputting images or GUIs. SD Card Slot SD Card Slot is the primary storage for the Raspberry Pi and holds the operating system and files. The board boots from the SD card, making it simple to upgrade or change the system by swapping cards.
Micro USB Power Micro USB Power port is the main power input for the Raspberry Pi. A standard mobile phone charger (5V, typically 2A) supplies electricity to all onboard systems via this port. HDMI HDMI port sends high-definition video and audio signals to modern monitors or TVs. It supports full HD resolution and is the preferred display output for multimedia and graphical interfaces. CSI Connector Camera CSI (Camera Serial Interface) Connector allows direct attachment of the official Raspberry Pi camera module for photography, video streaming, and computer vision projects. USB 2.0 USB 2.0 ports let users connect peripherals like keyboards, mice, Wi-Fi dongles, flash drives, and other USB-compatible hardware for system expansions or input/output. Ethernet Ethernet port provides wired network connectivity, enabling the Raspberry Pi to access LAN/internet for software downloads, server hosting, or IoT applications requiring stable connections.