Learn Electronics with Raspberry Pi

Updated for the recent Raspberry Pi boards, including the Raspberry Pi 4, this new edition offers an all new digital logic circuits project, explaining the theory behind how digital electronics work while creating a new project for measuring temperature.

Raspberry Pi is everywhere, it’s inexpensive, and it's a wonderful tool for teaching about electronics and programming. This book demonstrates how to make a variety of cool projects using the Pi with programming languages like Scratch and Python, with no experience necessary. You'll see how the Pi works, how to work with Raspbian Linux on the Pi, and how to design and create electronic circuits.

You'll create projects like an arcade game, disco lights, and infrared transmitter, and an LCD display. You'll also learn how to control Minecraft's Steve with a joystick and how to build a Minecraft house with a Pi, and even how to control a LEGO train with a Pi. And, you'll build your own robot, including how to solder and even design a printed circuit board.

Learning electronics can be tremendous fun — your first flashing LED circuit is a reason to celebrate! But where do you go from there, and how can you move into more challenging projects without spending a lot of money on proprietary kits? _Learn Electronics with Raspberry Pi_ shows you how to, and a lot more.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

* Design and build electronic circuits
* Make fun projects like an arcade game, a robot, and a Minecraft controller
* Program the Pi with Scratch and Python



WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR

Makers, students, and teachers who want to learn about electronics and programming with the fun and low-cost Raspberry Pi.

Stewart Watkiss graduated from the University of Hull, United Kingdom, with a masters degree in electronic engineering. He has been a fan of Linux since first installing it on a home computer during the late 1990s. While working as a Linux system administrator, he was awarded Advanced Linux Certification (LPIC 2) in 2006, and created the Penguin Tutor website to help others learning Linux and working toward Linux certification.

Stewart is a big fan of the Raspberry Pi. He owns several Raspberry Pi computers that he uses to help to protect his home (Internet filter), provide entertainment (XBMC), and teach programming to his two children. He also volunteers as a STEM ambassador, going into local schools to help support teachers and teach programming to teachers and children.

Chapter 1 - Getting Started with Electronic Circuits

Introduction to electronics

Chapter 2 - All About Raspberry Pi

Explanation about Raspberry Pi and getting started

Chapter 3 - Starting with the Basics: Programming with Scratch

A first project introducing Scratch and simple electronics

Creates a controller for a game

Chapter 4 - Using Python for Input and Output: GPIO Zero

Introduction to GPIO Zero, switching larger loads.

Disco light projects

Chapter 5 - More Input and Output: Infrared Sensors and LCD Displays

Motion sensor camera

True and False game

Chapter 6 - Adding Control in Python and Linux

Control a lego train

RGB LEDs

Chapter 7 - Creating Video with a Pi Camera

Using infrared remote control to control camera

Making those images into a stop-frame animation

Chapter 8 - Rolling Forward: Designing and Building a Robot

Creating a simple wheeled robot

Controlling motors using H-Bridge

Measuring distance with ultrasonic range sensor

Using a wireless controller

Chapter 9 - Customize Your Gameplay: Minecraft Hardware Programming

Interfacing between Minecraft and electronics

Chapter 10 - Understanding Digital Logic

How logic gates work

Combining logic gates

Measuring temperature and displaying using a BCD to 7-segment decoder

Chapter 11 - Making Your Circuits Permanent

Soldering

Creating enclosures

Multimeter and Oscilloscope

Chapter 12 - Let the Innovation Begin: Designing Your Own Circuits

Understanding datasheets

Creating circuits in Fritzing

Creating a PCB

Powering electronic projects