C27 45 min
Raspberry Pi in IoT
When to use a Raspberry Pi as a gateway or edge controller.
What a Raspberry Pi offers
A Raspberry Pi is a small, low-cost computer running a full Linux OS. It has USB, Ethernet, WiFi, and GPIO pins for connecting sensors and actuators.
Where it fits
- Gateway — collects data from simpler devices and forwards it to the cloud.
- Edge controller — runs logic locally when latency or connectivity matters.
- Prototyping — quick to build and debug compared with a microcontroller.
Raspberry Pi vs microcontroller
| Aspect | Raspberry Pi | Microcontroller (e.g. ESP32) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Full Linux | Bare metal or RTOS |
| Power use | Higher | Very low |
| Best for | Gateways, edge compute | Battery-powered sensors |
Check your understanding
- Give one reason to use a Raspberry Pi instead of a microcontroller.
- Give one reason to choose a microcontroller instead.