Equipment

The equipment:

The gear I will be using for my project is listed here.

Raspberry Pi, Model B:

Processor:  ARM11 Family processor, 700 MHz, can be dynamically overclocked to 1GHz.

Memory:  512 MB RAM, can assign from 16 – 256 MB to the GPU dynamically, 400MHz clock speed.

Outputs:  HDMI, 2 x USB 2.0, Composite RCA, 10/100 RJ45 Ethernet.

Storage:  There is none, just as there is not an OS on the computer.  You have to use an SD card with the OS on it, and the extra space on the SD card is the hard drive.  This makes it easy to switch between Oss without having to dual boot.

Operating System:  I have decided to use the Raspbian OS.  This OS is based on Debian but is thinner to run on the RPi.  It was released in July 2012 specifically for the RPi.

Power:  5V MicroUSB (700mA/3.5W), Power over Ethernet (PoE), or through the GPIO.

Peripherals:

Keyboard:  Favi Mini Wireless With Mouse touchpad.  (Banana for scale)

 

USB Hub:  Belkin powered 4-slot USB 2.0 hub.  Model F4U040 .  Powered because powering a USB hub with the RPi itself can draw too much energy from the RPi, causing it to shutdown.

Sensors:  I'll be using a variety of sensors for my project.  

A: Barometric Pressure/Temperature  B:  Luminosity  C:  Analog to Digital circuit

A:  Yellow 7-seg display  B:  DS18B20 Digital Temp sensor  C:  DHT11 digital humidity/Temp

I will also be using a camera so the students can see the chickens.  But, I haven't gotten the camera yet.

Power supply:  The RPi will be powered by a Motorola microUSB travel power supply.

* Note on peripherals:

If you are going to be starting into a project with a RPi, you should be aware that not all things work with the RPi.  You can look on this list to see if it is verified.  Just because it isn't verified doesn't mean it won't work.  But why take the chance that it won't?

So, tomorrow, I'll be setting up the SD card and getting the RPi up and running.  Getting it ready to start loading on the various things I will need to run the sensors.  (This is the part I'm dreading...)