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

Image of Raspberry Pi 4B
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Introduction

The Raspberry Pi 4B is a compact, 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

Technical Specifications

Below are the key technical details of the Raspberry Pi 4B:

General Specifications

  • Processor: Quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz
  • RAM Options: 2GB, 4GB, or 8GB LPDDR4 SDRAM
  • Storage: MicroSD card slot (supports booting and storage)
  • Connectivity:
    • Gigabit Ethernet
    • Dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi
    • Bluetooth 5.0
  • Video Output: Dual micro-HDMI ports (up to 4K resolution)
  • USB Ports: 2 × USB 3.0, 2 × USB 2.0
  • GPIO: 40-pin header (compatible with previous Raspberry Pi models)
  • Power Supply: 5V/3A via USB-C connector
  • Dimensions: 85.6mm × 56.5mm × 17mm

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The Raspberry Pi 4B features a 40-pin GPIO header. Below is a table summarizing the pin configuration:

Pin Number Pin Name Functionality
1 3.3V Power 3.3V power output
2 5V Power 5V power output
3 GPIO2 (SDA1) I2C Data
4 5V Power 5V power output
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 full GPIO pinout)

For a complete GPIO pinout, refer to the official Raspberry Pi documentation.

Usage Instructions

Setting Up the Raspberry Pi 4B

  1. Prepare the MicroSD Card:
    • Download the Raspberry Pi OS from the official website.
    • Use a tool like Raspberry Pi Imager to flash the OS onto the microSD card.
  2. Connect Peripherals:
    • Insert the microSD card into the slot on the Raspberry Pi.
    • Connect a monitor via one of the micro-HDMI ports.
    • Attach a keyboard and mouse to the USB ports.
    • Optionally, connect to Ethernet for wired networking.
  3. Power On:
    • Connect a 5V/3A USB-C power supply to the Raspberry Pi.
    • The device will boot into the Raspberry Pi OS.

Using GPIO Pins

The GPIO pins can be used to interface with external components like LEDs, sensors, and motors. Below is an example of controlling an LED using Python and the GPIO library.

Example Code: Blinking an LED


Import the necessary library for GPIO control

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO import time

Set the GPIO mode to BCM (Broadcom pin numbering)

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)

Define the GPIO pin connected to the LED

LED_PIN = 18

Set up the LED pin as an output

GPIO.setup(LED_PIN, GPIO.OUT)

Blink the LED in a loop

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 when the program is interrupted GPIO.cleanup()


Important Considerations

  • Always use a high-quality power supply to ensure stable operation.
  • Avoid shorting GPIO pins or connecting them to voltages higher than 3.3V.
  • Use resistors when connecting LEDs or other components to GPIO pins to prevent damage.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues

  1. The Raspberry Pi does not boot:
    • Ensure the microSD card is properly inserted and contains a valid OS image.
    • Check the power supply for sufficient voltage and current.
  2. No display on the monitor:
    • Verify the micro-HDMI cable is securely connected.
    • Ensure the monitor is set to the correct input source.
  3. Wi-Fi connectivity issues:
    • Check the Wi-Fi credentials and ensure the network is within range.
    • Restart the Raspberry Pi and router if necessary.

FAQs

  • Can I power the Raspberry Pi 4B via GPIO pins?
    • Yes, you can supply 5V to the 5V GPIO pin, but this bypasses the onboard voltage protection.
  • What is the maximum resolution supported by the Raspberry Pi 4B?
    • The Raspberry Pi 4B supports up to dual 4K displays at 60Hz.
  • Can I use the Raspberry Pi 4B for AI/ML projects?
    • Yes, the Raspberry Pi 4B is capable of running lightweight AI/ML models, especially with tools like TensorFlow Lite.

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