Pi or Arduino?

[llama]

Hey all, I need to buy either a raspberry pi or an arduino for a computer class I am taking, and I figure it is a good excuse to pick up something for some I/O for the beginning of a home pit. What are the differences between the 2 for this application and which would you recommend I pick up? Thanks in advance!

[agrasyuk]

Diferent devices , both have their place. All depends on your need. It seems that the need is to play around with , so really you can't go wrong with either, and with their prices I don't see why you can't pick both. But if you have to choose Pi will provide more "depth"

 

There are very nice articles out there comparing the two in much better and in depth way that I could.

 

PS, And don't forget to take a look at Beagle as well,

[Viersbovsky]

The Arduino is a micro-controller. It is used to control systems and has inputs, outputs. You code in C, then upload the program. Microcontrollers are used in Joysticks and other relatively simple systems. You are very close to the hardware. You have memory in the kB range and maybe 8-72mHz clock.

 

Raspberry PI is a microcomputer. It runs a Linux and you can do most you can do with your regular desktop PC and netbook. You can even run Quake. It has some additional IOs though.

Using the Pi to control some lights and switches for your homepit may be overkill. Usually a microcontroller is enough.

 

So in short:

 

Arduino:

Joystick, Warning light panels, electro motion control, etc etc etc

 

Raspberry PI:

Central control for a Robot with vision systems, everything that needs the power and flexibility of a regular PC.

[llama]

Based on what you guys have said and other stuff I have read, the bar dunno is the route I should take. Any recommendations to start as far as brand or type? Stuff I will need other than the board, maybe a breadboard? I am trying to keep it as cheap as possible for now, but don't want to have to replace a lot if parts once I get the hang of it. Thanks again =)

EDIT: Ise I should give you an idea as to what I am going to build. ..lol. i am going to build a generic pit, kind of a conglomeration of several aircraft. Basically a catch all. I want to set it up with most of the switches and knobs that you would find in most military aircraft, but they will be not be arranged in accordance with a specific plane or helo.

Edited October 24, 2014 by llama

[Viersbovsky]

First off:

What is your background in programming and electrical engineering?

 

I am just going to assume you are completely new to all this stuff, feel free to roll your eyes at me if that is not the case.

 

A microcontroller itself is just a chip, the Arduino usually use Atmel 8Bit microprocessors. In essence, the Arduino is just a breakout-board with all the necessary peripherals to use that chip – a clock source, power supply, all the necessary electronics. The Arduino is simply a beginner´s board that tries to make everything as simple as possible. You don´t need to solder, you don´t need a programmer. You don´t need to setup a toolchain.

 

Arduino is a brand, there are now many knock-offs or projects inspired by it. The philosophy is that you have a complete package: you can program the board with USB without a separate programmer. You get a simple programming environment where you can compile your code. You get libraries for simplified use of the microcontroller´s functions without having to directly mess with the registers.

 

I would get the Leonardo, because it can be used as a USB-device. This means, that it can be programmed to simulate a Joystick or any other USB-device, perfect for your homepit.

 

What you will need:

An Arduino for about 40 bucks, a USB cable, a breadboard and breadboard cables. Buy a resistor set, leds and breadboard compatible switches and buttons. There are some starter-kits that have all the necessary stuff, but usually they are overpriced. Just Google for Arduino starter tutorials, there are hundreds online, most have a parts-list. You should start simple like getting a led to blink, then switching the led by pressing a button, then getting the led to change blinking frequency by turning a knob etc etc etc.

 

One important thing is that a microcontroller has a limited number of IOs. You will need port expanders or use techniques like matrix circuits if you have more than maybe 24 switches or leds. The amount of IOs depends on the Arduino-board.

 

Welcome to the world of timer registers, interrupt handlers and pull-up resistors! Once you have the hang of it, you will realize all the limitations of the Arduino platform. This is when you take the training wheels off and use the Arduino as a normal Atmel microcontroller – you buy a cheap programmer (15 bucks) and use the GCC compiler as well as a proper integrated development environment like eclipse or atmel-studio.

 

Oh, also, Hempstead made a sophisticated library for using arduino due boards for homepits and joysticks. I think you will first want to mess with the basic Arduino to get to know what microcontrollers are about, then switch to his solution if you are so inclined. You may not be able to make a clean switch though, as the Arduino due is based on a completely different microcontroller and generally runs at 3.3V instead of the usual 5V of the older Arduinos. Advantage of the old Arduinos though is that they have been around for quite a while and are based on very popular chips, so there is loads of documentation floating around the web – the due is way faster though.

 

As for your project, that is exactly what I am planning to do, unfortunately I have not yet had the time to get on with it.

[llama]

No eyeroll here, I am a newbie with these devices. I really appreciate the info, looks like I will be shopping on google in the next couple of days. Although I found what appears to be a decent site for a lot of arduino/pi stuff (a few folks on one of the arduino sites use this one for parts). http://www.dx.com/ As for getting a kit vs. buying individual bits, what you said is exactly what they were indicating on the forums I was poking around in last night. I figure I will make a list of what is in a starter kit and then compile and customize from there. =)