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How to Use Raspberry Pi 4B: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

Image of Raspberry Pi 4B
Cirkit Designer LogoDesign with Raspberry Pi 4B in Cirkit Designer

Introduction

The Raspberry Pi 4B, manufactured by Ala (Part ID: 4), is a compact and affordable single-board computer designed for a wide range of applications. It features a powerful quad-core processor, up to 8GB of RAM, multiple USB ports, dual micro-HDMI outputs, and Ethernet connectivity. This versatile device is ideal for projects such as programming, media centers, IoT applications, robotics, and more. Its small form factor and robust performance make it a popular choice for both hobbyists and professionals.

Explore Projects Built with Raspberry Pi 4B

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Raspberry Pi 4B-Controlled Relay System with Environmental Sensing and Power Monitoring
Image of smart_power_meter: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4B in a practical application
This circuit is designed to interface a Raspberry Pi 4B with various sensors and output devices. It includes a 4-channel relay for controlling external loads, an ADS1115 for analog-to-digital conversion of signals from a current sensor and a ZMPT101B voltage sensor, a DHT11 for temperature and humidity readings, and a 0.96" OLED display for data output. The Raspberry Pi 4B serves as the central controller, managing data acquisition from the sensors, processing the information, and driving the relay and display based on the sensor inputs and programmed logic.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Raspberry Pi 4B-Based Smart Surveillance System with GPS and Ultrasonic Sensing
Image of VisionTool: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4B in a practical application
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B as the central processing unit, interfacing with an Arducam camera module, an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, a GPS NEO 6M module, and a speaker. The Raspberry Pi manages image capture, distance measurement, GPS data reception, and audio output. Power is supplied to the components from a 2000mAh battery, and the Raspberry Pi facilitates communication and control over the I2C, GPIO, and serial interfaces.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Raspberry Pi 4B-based Payment Kiosk with Coin and Bill Acceptors
Image of Scheme thesis: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4B in a practical application
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B as the central controller, interfaced with a variety of peripherals for a payment and display system. It includes a bill acceptor and multi coin acceptor for monetary input, a thermal printer for receipts, and a touch display for user interaction. The circuit also incorporates a 12V to 5V step-down converter to power the 5V components and a membrane matrix keypad for additional input options.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Raspberry Pi 4B Controlled RFID and Keypad Security System with I2C LCD Feedback and Motorized Lock Mechanism
Image of CVM: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4B in a practical application
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B as the central controller, interfaced with an I2C LCD screen for display, an RFID-RC522 module for RFID reading, a 4x4 membrane matrix keypad for user input, and an L298N motor driver to control a DC motor. The Raspberry Pi manages data communication with the LCD via I2C, reads RFID tags, processes keypad inputs, and controls the motor's operation. Power is supplied to the motor driver and the Raspberry Pi through a 9V battery and regulated 5V connections.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with Raspberry Pi 4B

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Image of smart_power_meter: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4B in a practical application
Raspberry Pi 4B-Controlled Relay System with Environmental Sensing and Power Monitoring
This circuit is designed to interface a Raspberry Pi 4B with various sensors and output devices. It includes a 4-channel relay for controlling external loads, an ADS1115 for analog-to-digital conversion of signals from a current sensor and a ZMPT101B voltage sensor, a DHT11 for temperature and humidity readings, and a 0.96" OLED display for data output. The Raspberry Pi 4B serves as the central controller, managing data acquisition from the sensors, processing the information, and driving the relay and display based on the sensor inputs and programmed logic.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of VisionTool: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4B in a practical application
Raspberry Pi 4B-Based Smart Surveillance System with GPS and Ultrasonic Sensing
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B as the central processing unit, interfacing with an Arducam camera module, an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, a GPS NEO 6M module, and a speaker. The Raspberry Pi manages image capture, distance measurement, GPS data reception, and audio output. Power is supplied to the components from a 2000mAh battery, and the Raspberry Pi facilitates communication and control over the I2C, GPIO, and serial interfaces.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Scheme thesis: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4B in a practical application
Raspberry Pi 4B-based Payment Kiosk with Coin and Bill Acceptors
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B as the central controller, interfaced with a variety of peripherals for a payment and display system. It includes a bill acceptor and multi coin acceptor for monetary input, a thermal printer for receipts, and a touch display for user interaction. The circuit also incorporates a 12V to 5V step-down converter to power the 5V components and a membrane matrix keypad for additional input options.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of CVM: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4B in a practical application
Raspberry Pi 4B Controlled RFID and Keypad Security System with I2C LCD Feedback and Motorized Lock Mechanism
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B as the central controller, interfaced with an I2C LCD screen for display, an RFID-RC522 module for RFID reading, a 4x4 membrane matrix keypad for user input, and an L298N motor driver to control a DC motor. The Raspberry Pi manages data communication with the LCD via I2C, reads RFID tags, processes keypad inputs, and controls the motor's operation. Power is supplied to the motor driver and the Raspberry Pi through a 9V battery and regulated 5V connections.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

  • Programming and Education: Ideal for learning programming languages like Python, C++, and Java.
  • Media Centers: Can be used to build a home theater system with software like Kodi.
  • IoT Projects: Acts as a hub for Internet of Things devices and sensors.
  • Robotics: Powers robots and automation systems with its GPIO pins.
  • Web Servers: Functions as a lightweight web server for hosting small websites or applications.

Technical Specifications

The Raspberry Pi 4B offers a range of features and capabilities. Below are its key technical specifications:

General Specifications

Feature Specification
Processor Quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit @ 1.5GHz
RAM Options 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4
Storage MicroSD card slot
USB Ports 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0
HDMI Output 2x micro-HDMI (4K@60Hz supported)
Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet
Wireless Connectivity Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
GPIO Pins 40-pin header
Power Supply 5V/3A via USB-C
Dimensions 85.6mm x 56.5mm x 17mm

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The Raspberry Pi 4B features a 40-pin GPIO header for connecting peripherals and sensors. Below is the pinout:

Pin Number Pin Name Description
1 3.3V Power 3.3V power supply
2 5V Power 5V power supply
3 GPIO2 (SDA1) I2C Data
4 5V Power 5V power supply
5 GPIO3 (SCL1) I2C Clock
6 Ground Ground
7 GPIO4 General-purpose I/O
8 GPIO14 (TXD0) UART Transmit
9 Ground Ground
10 GPIO15 (RXD0) UART Receive
... ... ... (Refer to official documentation for all pins)

Usage Instructions

How to Use the Raspberry Pi 4B in a Circuit

  1. Powering the Device: Use a 5V/3A USB-C power adapter to power the Raspberry Pi 4B.
  2. Connecting Peripherals: Attach a monitor via micro-HDMI, a keyboard and mouse via USB, and a microSD card with the operating system installed.
  3. GPIO Usage: Connect sensors, LEDs, or other peripherals to the GPIO pins. Ensure proper voltage levels to avoid damage.
  4. Networking: Use the Ethernet port or Wi-Fi for internet connectivity.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Cooling: The Raspberry Pi 4B can get warm under heavy loads. Use a heatsink or fan for cooling.
  • Power Supply: Ensure the power supply provides sufficient current (5V/3A) to avoid instability.
  • Static Precautions: Handle the board carefully to avoid static discharge damage.
  • Software: Install the official Raspberry Pi OS or other compatible operating systems on the microSD card.

Example: Blinking an LED with GPIO and Arduino UNO

The Raspberry Pi 4B can control an LED using its GPIO pins. Below is an example Python script for blinking an LED connected to GPIO17 (pin 11):

Import the GPIO library and time module

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO import time

Set up GPIO mode to use physical pin numbering

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BOARD)

Define the GPIO pin for the LED

LED_PIN = 11

Set up the LED pin as an output

GPIO.setup(LED_PIN, GPIO.OUT)

try: while True: GPIO.output(LED_PIN, GPIO.HIGH) # Turn the LED on time.sleep(1) # Wait for 1 second GPIO.output(LED_PIN, GPIO.LOW) # Turn the LED off time.sleep(1) # Wait for 1 second except KeyboardInterrupt: # Clean up GPIO settings on exit GPIO.cleanup()

Running the Code

  1. Connect an LED to GPIO17 (pin 11) with a resistor in series.
  2. Save the script as blink.py on the Raspberry Pi.
  3. Run the script using the command: python3 blink.py.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

  1. The Raspberry Pi does not boot:

    • Ensure the microSD card is properly inserted and contains a valid operating system.
    • Check the power supply for sufficient voltage and current.

  2. Overheating:

    • Use a heatsink or fan to cool the Raspberry Pi during intensive tasks.

  3. No display on the monitor:

    • Verify the micro-HDMI cable is connected to the correct port.
    • Ensure the monitor is powered on and set to the correct input source.

  4. GPIO pins not working:

    • Check the pin configuration in your code.
    • Ensure the connected peripherals are functioning and properly wired.

FAQs

  • Can I power the Raspberry Pi 4B via GPIO pins? Yes, you can power it using the 5V and GND pins, but this is not recommended as it bypasses the onboard power management.

  • What operating systems are compatible with the Raspberry Pi 4B? The Raspberry Pi 4B supports Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, and other Linux-based distributions.

  • Can I use the Raspberry Pi 4B for gaming? Yes, it can run retro gaming emulators like RetroPie or Recalbox.

This concludes the documentation for the Raspberry Pi 4B. For further details, refer to the official Raspberry Pi documentation.