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

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

Introduction

The Raspberry Pi 4 (Manufacturer Part ID: RPI4-MODBP-4GB) is a compact, affordable single-board computer developed by Raspberry Pi. It features a powerful quad-core processor, multiple USB ports, dual micro-HDMI outputs, and support for various operating systems, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications. With its 4GB of RAM, the Raspberry Pi 4 is well-suited for tasks such as programming, IoT projects, media centers, and prototyping.

Explore Projects Built with Raspberry Pi 4

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 4 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 4 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 Smart Surveillance System with Audio Capture and Ultrasonic Sensing
Image of pranav: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4 in a practical application
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B as the central controller, interfacing with a variety of peripherals. It includes a PAM8406 digital audio amplifier connected to a speaker for audio output, an Adafruit MAX9814 microphone amplifier for audio input, and a TTL Serial JPEG Camera for image capture. Additionally, an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor is connected for distance measurement. The Raspberry Pi manages these components and likely processes audio, image, and distance data for applications such as a smart assistant or security system.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Raspberry Pi 4B Powered Projector System with HDMI to VGA Conversion
Image of raspberry to projector: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4 in a practical application
This circuit connects a Raspberry Pi 4B to a projector via an HDMI to VGA converter, allowing the Raspberry Pi to output video and audio to the projector. The Raspberry Pi is powered by a 5V power adapter, which is connected to an AC wall plug point.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with Raspberry Pi 4

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 4 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 4 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 pranav: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4 in a practical application
Raspberry Pi 4B-Based Smart Surveillance System with Audio Capture and Ultrasonic Sensing
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi 4B as the central controller, interfacing with a variety of peripherals. It includes a PAM8406 digital audio amplifier connected to a speaker for audio output, an Adafruit MAX9814 microphone amplifier for audio input, and a TTL Serial JPEG Camera for image capture. Additionally, an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor is connected for distance measurement. The Raspberry Pi manages these components and likely processes audio, image, and distance data for applications such as a smart assistant or security system.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of raspberry to projector: A project utilizing Raspberry Pi 4 in a practical application
Raspberry Pi 4B Powered Projector System with HDMI to VGA Conversion
This circuit connects a Raspberry Pi 4B to a projector via an HDMI to VGA converter, allowing the Raspberry Pi to output video and audio to the projector. The Raspberry Pi is powered by a 5V power adapter, which is connected to an AC wall plug point.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

  • IoT and Home Automation: Control smart devices and sensors.
  • Media Centers: Stream and play high-definition video using software like Kodi.
  • Programming and Education: Learn coding with Python, Scratch, and other languages.
  • Prototyping: Develop and test hardware and software projects.
  • Edge Computing: Perform lightweight AI and machine learning tasks.
  • Networking: Use as a lightweight server or network monitoring tool.

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Details

Specification Value
Processor Broadcom BCM2711, Quad-core Cortex-A72 (ARM v8) 64-bit SoC @ 1.5GHz
RAM 4GB LPDDR4-3200 SDRAM
USB Ports 2 × USB 3.0, 2 × USB 2.0
Video Output 2 × micro-HDMI ports (up to 4Kp60 supported)
Networking Gigabit Ethernet, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0
GPIO Header 40-pin GPIO header
Power Supply 5V/3A via USB-C or GPIO header
Storage microSD card slot, USB boot support
Dimensions 85.6mm × 56.5mm × 17mm

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The Raspberry Pi 4 features a 40-pin GPIO header for interfacing with external devices. Below is a summary of the pin configuration:

Pin Number Pin Name Functionality
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 the official GPIO pinout)

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


Usage Instructions

How to Use the Raspberry Pi 4 in a Circuit

  1. Powering the Raspberry Pi 4:

    • Use a 5V/3A USB-C power supply for reliable operation.
    • Alternatively, power the board via the 5V and GND pins on the GPIO header.
  2. Connecting Peripherals:

    • Attach a microSD card with a compatible operating system (e.g., Raspberry Pi OS).
    • Connect a monitor via one of the micro-HDMI ports.
    • Plug in a keyboard and mouse via the USB ports.
  3. Using the GPIO Pins:

    • Use the GPIO pins to interface with sensors, LEDs, and other devices.
    • Ensure proper voltage levels (3.3V logic) to avoid damaging the board.
  4. Networking:

    • Connect to the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi for software updates and remote access.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Cooling: Use a heatsink or fan for intensive tasks to prevent overheating.
  • Static Protection: Handle the board with care to avoid static discharge.
  • Power Supply: Use a high-quality power supply to prevent undervoltage issues.
  • Software Updates: Regularly update the operating system and firmware for optimal performance.

Example: Blinking an LED with GPIO and Python

The following example demonstrates how to blink an LED connected to GPIO pin 17 using Python:


Import the necessary libraries

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO import time

Set up GPIO mode and pin

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM) # Use Broadcom pin numbering GPIO.setup(17, GPIO.OUT) # Set GPIO 17 as an output pin

try: while True: GPIO.output(17, GPIO.HIGH) # Turn the LED on time.sleep(1) # Wait for 1 second GPIO.output(17, GPIO.LOW) # Turn the LED off time.sleep(1) # Wait for 1 second except KeyboardInterrupt: # Clean up GPIO settings on exit GPIO.cleanup()


**Note**: Ensure a current-limiting resistor (e.g., 330Ω) is used in series with the LED to prevent damage.

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Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

  1. The Raspberry Pi 4 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 improve cooling.
    • Avoid running resource-intensive tasks for extended periods without proper cooling.
  3. No display on the monitor:

    • Verify the micro-HDMI cable is securely connected.
    • Ensure the monitor is set to the correct input source.
    • Check for compatibility with the resolution and refresh rate.
  4. GPIO pins not working:

    • Double-check the pin configuration and connections.
    • Ensure the GPIO library is installed and properly configured.

FAQs

  • Can I power the Raspberry Pi 4 via USB ports? No, the USB ports are for peripherals only. Use the USB-C port or GPIO header for power.

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

  • Can I use the Raspberry Pi 4 for AI projects? Yes, the Raspberry Pi 4 is capable of running lightweight AI and machine learning models.

  • How do I enable SSH for remote access? Create an empty file named ssh in the boot partition of the microSD card before the first boot.

For additional support, refer to the official Raspberry Pi documentation and community forums.