ECE471 Required Hardware
For ECE471 there is no required textbook, but you will be required
to have a Raspberry Pi computer with which to do your homework assignments.
The hope is you already have a Pi from previous classes or just because
you are an ECE major, but if you don't they are relatively easy to
obtain. If you do have trouble getting one before the start of classes
let me know and I have some I can loan out.
Pretty much any model of Raspberry Pi will work, though you probably don't
want the smaller "Zero" or "W" models as they have some missing parts
that would make completing the hardware more difficult.
Also do not get a "Pico" as that is something very different, despite
having a similar name.
Currently I'd reccommend a Raspberry Pi 3B or 3B+ as they can be cheaper
and have easier to get charging cables, but again, the 1B, 2B, 4B, or 400
models will be fine too.
The 4B models are a lot fancier/faster/have more RAM but we won't need
that for class, and they have some features that make it harder to
use [for example, they need micro-HDMI cables for video and a USB-C charger
for power, unlike the earlier models].
Required Hardware
To do the homework assignemnts you will need:
- Raspberry Pi board [I reccommend a 3B+]
(standard models are typically around $35)
- SD Memory card, 8GB or larger (if you can get one
preinstalled with Raspberry Pi Linux
(previously called Raspbian) it makes life easier)
- USB micro cable or charger [the bigger the better,
modern Pis can draw 2+Amps] (USB-C if a pi4).
You can power a Pi 3 with a regular USB micro cable
from your laptop, but the Pi will complain.
Ideally you'll have at least a charger that can provide
5V at 2Amps.
- A breadboard (the assumption is if you're an ECE you
have one by now, if you don't let me know)
Optional Hardware
Optional things that can make development easier but aren't strictly
necessary:
- A case for the Raspberry Pi
- An HDMI cable for connecting to a screen/monitor
(micro-HDMI if a pi4)
- A USB keyboard/mouse if you want to use the Pi like a desktop
- Ethernet cable if you want to connect to a wired
ethernet port
Other Parts We'll Use
Note you do *not* have to order these yourselves, this is for reference.
I loan these parts out each year, but in 2020 due to remote learning
I had this list for those who couldn't make it to campus.
- LED (any type), miscellaneous resistors (1k, 470Ohm)
and some wire
- Male/Female Extension jumper wires. These make it
easy to connect the Pi GPIO pins to the breadboad.
Jumper Wires at adafruit
- 7-segment LED display with i2c backpack.
These are from adafruit. There are a variety of colors,
all should work. They cost $10 and you have to solder
them together yourself (it's a relatively easy soldering
job).
LED display at Adafruit
- DS18B20 1-wire sensor.
I usually get these from Adafruit. Cost $4.
DS18B20 at Adafruit
- TMP36 Temperature sensor. I usually get these
at Adafruit. Cost $1.50.
TMP36 at Adafruit
- MCP3008 8-Channel 10-bit SPI ADC.
I usually get these at Adafruit but they're often
out of stock. Cost $3.75.
MCP3008 at Adafruit
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