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Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi 5 is the latest generation of single-board computers from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, offering significant performance improvements, new hardware features, and enhanced I/O compared to previous models. It is designed for advanced DIY projects, edge computing, embedded systems, and even light desktop use.

🛠️ Hardware Overview​

  • CPU: Broadcom BCM2712, quad-core ARM Cortex-A76 @ 2.4GHz (64-bit, out-of-order execution)
  • GPU: Broadcom VideoCore VII, supports OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan 1.2, 4Kp60 decode/encode
  • RAM: 4GB or 8GB LPDDR4X-4267 SDRAM (soldered)
  • Storage: microSD card slot (UHS-I), dual-lane PCIe 2.0 FPC connector (for NVMe SSDs via HAT), USB 3.0 boot
  • Networking: Gigabit Ethernet (with PoE+ support via HAT), onboard Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0
  • I/O:
    • 40-pin GPIO header (backward compatible)
    • 2 × 4-lane MIPI camera/display connectors (CSI/DSI)
    • 2 × USB 3.0, 2 × USB 2.0
    • 2 × micro-HDMI (up to dual 4Kp60 output)
    • Real-Time Clock (RTC) with battery connector
    • Fan and power button headers
  • Power: USB-C PD (Power Delivery) up to 5V/5A (25W), supports soft power-off/on

🧑‍💻 Operating Systems​

  • Raspberry Pi OS (Debian-based, 64-bit recommended)
  • Ubuntu 23.10+ (official support for Pi 5)
  • Other Linux distros: Kali, Arch Linux ARM, LibreELEC, Home Assistant OS, etc.
  • Custom OS images for IoT, robotics, and more

📦 Boot Process & Storage​

  • Bootloader: EEPROM (upgradable, supports advanced boot modes)
  • Boot order: Configurable (microSD, USB, PCIe NVMe, network)
  • NVMe Boot: Native support via PCIe connector and official NVMe HAT
  • /boot/config.txt: Hardware and kernel configuration (overclocking, display, GPIO, PCIe, etc.)

⚡ GPIO & Hardware Hacking​

  • 40-pin GPIO: 3.3V logic, supports I2C, SPI, UART, PWM, PCM, and more
  • PCIe: Attach NVMe SSDs or custom PCIe devices (via HAT)
  • Fan Header: 4-pin PWM fan control (temperature-based)
  • RTC: Real-Time Clock with battery backup for timekeeping
  • Libraries: RPi.GPIO, gpiozero, pigpio

🖥️ Projects & Use Cases​

  • Desktop Replacement: Dual 4K displays, fast SSD storage, USB 3.0 peripherals
  • Edge AI/ML: Accelerated inference with external PCIe AI accelerators
  • Media Centers: 4K video playback, Kodi, Plex
  • IoT Gateways: High-speed networking, NVMe storage for data logging
  • Robotics & Automation: Real-time control, multiple camera inputs, GPIO expansion
  • Retro Gaming: High-performance emulation with Vulkan support

🛠️ Essential Commands & Tools​

# Update firmware and bootloader (Pi 5)
sudo rpi-eeprom-update
sudo raspi-config

# Check hardware info
cat /proc/cpuinfo
vcgencmd measure_temp
lsusb
lspci
i2cdetect -y 1

# PCIe/NVMe info
lsblk
sudo nvme list

# Control GPIO (Python)
import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
GPIO.setup(18, GPIO.OUT)
GPIO.output(18, GPIO.HIGH)

📝 Tips & Geeky Details​

  • Overclocking: Supported via /boot/config.txt (e.g., arm_freq=2700), but requires adequate cooling and power supply.
  • NVMe SSD: Use the official NVMe HAT for best compatibility and performance.
  • Fan Control: Connect a PWM fan to the dedicated header for automatic cooling.
  • RTC: Add a coin cell battery for persistent timekeeping.
  • PCIe Expansion: Experimental support for custom PCIe devices (requires kernel/device tree tweaks).
  • Headless Setup: Enable SSH by placing an empty ssh file in /boot on the SD card.
  • Thermal Management: Use active cooling (fan, heatsink) for sustained high performance.

📚 Useful Links​