Beginning Custom Projects with Raspberry Pi from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Installing, Configuring, and Connecting to Your Raspberry Pi Over the Network

In this module, we introduce the Raspberry Pi, and discuss how it is different from an Arduino. We will install and configure the operating system on a Raspberry Pi and connect to it via a network connection. If you’re not familiar with the Linux shell, there is an optional bonus section at the end of this module on Linux command line basics. Soon, we'll be using the pins on the Raspberry Pi to control things in the real world such as an LED.

Controlling Your Raspberry Pi Over the Network

As we enter this module, your Raspberry Pi is up and running on the network and we’ve done quite a lot on the Linux command line. In this module, we’ll connect to a full graphical desktop session over the network, learn some electronics theory and how we can use the GPIO pins to light an LED, and create a web API endpoint to toggle the LED and demonstrate how embedded devices can use simple web APIs for a control interface. At the end of this module is an optional bonus section on the Python language, which you might find useful if Python is new for you. All of this is groundwork for the next module where we create sensors and spin motors with the Raspberry Pi.

Using Sensors and Motors

In this module, we’ll build on our Raspberry Pi GPIO skills and use some of the dedicated circuitry for driving special signals, like the pulse width modulation (PWM) circuitry, to vary the brightness of an LED. We’ll also access external hardware to run a motor, and discuss when external hardware is necessary, such as for real-time application or to drive power-hungry devices like motors. This is a fun module, and if you've been wondering how to control hardware with a Raspberry Pi, I think you'll find a lot of answers in this module. In the final module, Module 4, we'll take these individual skills and everything we've learned in Modules 1 and 2, along with some new ideas, and build a project together. By the end of this module, you might be surprised to see what types of complex systems you already know how to design and build.

Let's Make Our Own IoT Project

In the first three modules we got our Raspberry Pi running over the network, we interfaced to physical world items such as LEDs and motors, and we controlled our Raspberry Pi with a web API. In this module we’ll take a closer look at some security concepts, combine what we know about sensors and electronics to create our own web-enabled home automation project you can access from your phone or computer. We'll keep things simple because the goal is for you to understand how all the parts work and, when it's time for you to create your own project, you can extend these concepts to create even the wildest projects.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the Raspberry Pi and discusses how it is different from an Arduino

Teaches skills that are highly relevant for those interested in robotics

Covers topics that are highly relevant for those interested in building their own Internet of Things (IoT) devices

Provides an introduction to home automation, a topic of growing interest for many

Offers a great foundation for those wanting to build embedded systems as the brains of their own projects

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Beginning Custom Projects with Raspberry Pi with these activities:

Review basic electronics concepts

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Strengthen your foundation by reviewing basic electronics concepts.

Browse courses on Electronics

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Identify online resources or textbooks that cover basic electronics
Review concepts such as voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's law
Test your understanding by solving practice problems

Review 'Raspberry Pi User Guide' by Eben Upton and Gareth Halfacree

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Reinforce your understanding of Raspberry Pi fundamentals by reviewing an authoritative reference book.

View Raspberry Pi User Guide on Amazon

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Read through the book's chapters on Raspberry Pi hardware and software
Identify key concepts and technical details
Take notes and summarize the most important information

Build a simple traffic light system

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Reinforce your understanding of the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins and basic electronics by building a simple traffic light system.

Browse courses on Electronics

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Gather necessary components (LEDs, resistors, breadboard, etc.)
Wire the LEDs and resistors to the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins
Write a Python program to control the LEDs
Test and debug your system

Five other activities

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Compile a collection of resources for Raspberry Pi projects

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Enhance your understanding of Raspberry Pi projects by compiling a collection of valuable resources.

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Identify and gather resources from various sources (e.g., websites, books, forums)
Organize the resources into a cohesive compilation (e.g., a document, website, or online repository)
Annotate the resources with your own notes and insights
Share your compilation with other students and the Raspberry Pi community

Assist fellow students in understanding Raspberry Pi projects

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Solidify your understanding of Raspberry Pi projects and develop your communication skills by assisting other students.

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Identify opportunities to help others in online forums or study groups
Provide clear and concise explanations of concepts and techniques
Offer constructive feedback and support to fellow students
Reflect on your own learning by explaining concepts to others

Develop a web interface for your IoT project

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Enhance your understanding of web development and IoT by creating a user-friendly web interface for your Raspberry Pi project.

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Design the layout and functionality of your web interface
Choose a suitable web development framework (e.g., Flask, Django)
Implement the backend logic to connect to your Raspberry Pi and control your project
Deploy your web interface to a hosting platform

Design and build a custom Raspberry Pi-based home automation system

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Apply your skills to a practical project by designing and building a custom home automation system using a Raspberry Pi.

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Identify the specific home automation tasks you want to automate
Research and select the necessary hardware components (sensors, actuators, etc.)
Design and implement the software logic to control your system
Test and deploy your system in your home environment
Monitor and maintain your system over time

Explore advanced Raspberry Pi tutorials

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Expand your knowledge of Raspberry Pi capabilities by following guided tutorials on advanced topics.

Browse courses on Raspberry Pi

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Seek out tutorials on specific advanced topics (e.g., camera interfacing, motor control)
Follow the instructions carefully and experiment with different parameters
Troubleshoot any issues you encounter and document your findings
Share your knowledge with others by writing your own tutorials or blog posts

Career center

Learners who complete Beginning Custom Projects with Raspberry Pi will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design, develop, and test embedded systems, which are computer systems that are designed to be part of a larger system. These systems are often used in a variety of applications, such as automotive, medical, and industrial. This course can help you build a foundation in embedded systems by teaching you how to use a Raspberry Pi to control external sensors and motors. You will also learn how to access the Raspberry Pi over the network and create a web interface for controlling the embedded device.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, build, and test robots. They work in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, healthcare, and defense. This course can help you build a foundation in robotics by teaching you how to use a Raspberry Pi to control motors. You will also learn how to access the Raspberry Pi over the network and create a web interface for controlling the robot.

See salaries and explore the career path for Robotics Engineer

Automation Engineer

Automation Engineers design, build, and test automated systems. These systems are used in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation. This course can help you build a foundation in automation by teaching you how to use a Raspberry Pi to control external sensors and motors. You will also learn how to access the Raspberry Pi over the network and create a web interface for controlling the automated system.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automation Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems. These systems are used in a variety of applications, such as power generation, distribution, and control. This course can help you build a foundation in electrical engineering by teaching you about the basics of electronics and how to use a Raspberry Pi to control external devices.

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Computer Engineer

Computer Engineers design, develop, and test computer systems. These systems are used in a variety of applications, such as personal computers, servers, and embedded systems. This course can help you build a foundation in computer engineering by teaching you about the basics of computer hardware and software. You will also learn how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers design, develop, and test software applications. These applications are used in a variety of industries, such as business, healthcare, and education. This course can help you build a foundation in software engineering by teaching you about the basics of software development. You will also learn how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make decisions. They work in a variety of industries, such as business, healthcare, and government. This course can help you build a foundation in data science by teaching you about the basics of data analysis. You will also learn how to use a Raspberry Pi to collect and process data.

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Web Developer

Web Developers design, develop, and test websites. They work in a variety of industries, such as business, education, and government. This course can help you build a foundation in web development by teaching you about the basics of web design and development. You will also learn how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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Mobile App Developer

Mobile App Developers design, develop, and test mobile applications. They work in a variety of industries, such as business, healthcare, and education. This course may be helpful for you if you are interested in learning how to build mobile applications. You will learn about the basics of mobile app development and how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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Game Developer

Game Developers design, develop, and test video games. They work in a variety of industries, such as entertainment, education, and healthcare. This course may be helpful for you if you are interested in learning how to build video games. You will learn about the basics of game development and how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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User Experience Designer

User Experience Designers design and evaluate the user experience of products and services. They work in a variety of industries, such as business, healthcare, and education. This course may be helpful for you if you are interested in learning how to design user experiences. You will learn about the basics of user experience design and how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and technical reports. They work in a variety of industries, such as software, hardware, and healthcare. This course may be helpful for you if you are interested in learning how to write technical documentation. You will learn about the basics of technical writing and how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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Product Manager

Product Managers manage the development and launch of new products and services. They work in a variety of industries, such as technology, healthcare, and consumer goods. This course may be helpful for you if you are interested in learning how to manage new product development. You will learn about the basics of product management and how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes and identify opportunities for improvement. They work in a variety of industries, such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. This course may be helpful for you if you are interested in learning how to analyze business processes. You will learn about the basics of business analysis and how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work in a variety of industries, such as construction, software development, and manufacturing. This course may be helpful for you if you are interested in learning how to manage projects. You will learn about the basics of project management and how to use a Raspberry Pi to build a complete network-connected project.

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