Choosing Your Embedded Development Board: A Comparison of Arduino and Raspberry Pi

Entering the embedded world, choosing the right development tools is the first step to success. Today, we will delve into two popular development board brands – Arduino and Raspberry Pi, to help beginners choose the right starting point.

What is Arduino?

Arduino is an open-source electronic prototyping platform that includes hardware (various models of Arduino boards) and software (Arduino IDE). Its design aims to make it easy for people from various fields to access programming and electronic hardware projects. Arduino boards are usually based on simple microcontrollers and are easy to learn.

Main Features:

• • Open-source and flexible: Both Arduino hardware and software are open-source and can be customized freely.

• • Diverse board types: From the microcontroller Uno, Nano to the more powerful Yun and Due, there is a wide range of choices.

• • Easy to program: The accompanying IDE simplifies programming, making it easy for beginners to get started.

What is Raspberry Pi?

Raspberry Pi is a single-board microcomputer based on the ARM architecture. Since its release, it has gradually become a popular tool for learning programming and doing hardware projects. Due to its strong computing power, Raspberry Pi can be used for more complex tasks, such as serving as a home media center or a low-cost desktop computer.

Main Features:

• • Stronger processing power: Raspberry Pi is equipped with an ARM architecture processor and can run Linux operating systems.

• • Rich interfaces and expandability: Including HDMI, USB ports, Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

• • Versatility: It can not only do embedded projects but also handle more complex computing tasks.

Comparing Arduino and Raspberry Pi

Choosing between Arduino and Raspberry Pi mainly depends on the project requirements, budget, and personal technical background. Let’s compare their key parameters one by one.

Hardware Performance

Arduino focuses on achieving simple control and sensing functions, usually operating at lower frequencies. In contrast, Raspberry Pi has a high-performance CPU, more RAM, and storage options, suitable for executing more complex tasks.

Arduino Uno:
- CPU: ATmega328P
- Clock Speed: 16 MHz
- RAM: 2 KB
- Digital I/O: 14

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B:
- CPU: Broadcom BCM2711, Quad core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8)
- Clock Speed: 1.5GHz
- RAM: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB
- GPIO: 40

Programming Languages and Environment

Arduino typically uses the Arduino IDE, allowing code to be written in C or C++ and simplifies the development process with easy library management and board management tools. Raspberry Pi supports multiple programming languages such as Python, Java, C, and C++, as well as various development tools on the Linux system.

Cost

The cost of Arduino is generally lower, making it a great choice for individuals or educational institutions with limited budgets. Raspberry Pi is more expensive but offers more comprehensive computing capabilities.

Project Applicability

• • Education and beginners: Arduino is favored for its simplicity and the abundance of available learning resources.

• • Prototyping and manufacturing: Arduino is ideal for IoT devices and rapid prototyping.

• • Complex projects and edge computing: Raspberry Pi is suitable for tasks requiring processing power and graphics capabilities, such as home automation, edge computing, and media centers.

Practical Comparative Analysis

To illustrate the differences between the two platforms more specifically, let’s take a simple project as an example – a temperature monitoring system.

Implementation using Arduino:

#include <OneWire.h>#include <DallasTemperature.h>
OneWire oneWire(2);DallasTemperature sensors(&oneWire);
void setup() {  Serial.begin(9600);  sensors.begin();}
void loop() {  sensors.requestTemperatures();  Serial.print("Current temperature is: ");  Serial.print(sensors.getTempCByIndex(0));  Serial.println(" C");  delay(1000);}

Using Arduino, we can quickly set up a temperature sensor and output readings to the serial monitor.

Implementation using Raspberry Pi:

import os
import glob
import time
os.system('modprobe w1-gpio')
os.system('modprobe w1-therm')
base_dir = '/sys/bus/w1/devices/'
device_folder = glob.glob(base_dir + '28*')[0]
device_file = device_folder + '/w1_slave'
def read_temp_raw():    with open(device_file, 'r') as f:        lines = f.readlines()    return lines
def read_temp():    lines = read_temp_raw()    # Omitted code for parsing text    temp_c = float(lines[1].strip()[equals_pos+2:])/1000.0    return temp_c
while True:    print(read_temp())    time.sleep(1)

The implementation with Raspberry Pi involves more knowledge of the Linux operating system while providing richer display and data processing options.

Conclusion

As a professional developer, I personally believe that choosing the right development board should be based on specific needs and budget. Arduino is an excellent starting point, providing sufficient resources and convenience for beginners and simple projects. In contrast, Raspberry Pi is suitable for more complex projects that require more computing resources and multitasking capabilities.

If you are a beginner in embedded systems, my advice is to start with Arduino as it will help you quickly learn the basics of circuits and programming. As your skills and project complexity increase, you can transition to Raspberry Pi and learn more about operating systems and advanced computing knowledge.

No matter which development path you ultimately choose, it is essential to keep learning and practicing, constantly pushing your limits. I hope my analysis and suggestions can help you in your choice.

If you like my content, please give a thumbs up and follow, and see you next time!

Note: Recently, WeChat has changed its push mechanism again, and many friends have said they missed articles that were deleted earlier or some limited-time benefits. Once missed, it is missed. So I suggest everyone to add a star mark, so you can receive notifications immediately.