Student Information

Course Information



100 Points
Learning Objectives

Raspberry Pi 3 B+
Figure 1-Raspberry Pi 3 B+

These instructions show how to correctly startup, shutdown, and troubleshoot a Raspberry Pi single-board computer (SBC).
SBCs are becoming ubiquitous-examples are Nest thermostats , Ring doorbells, and Home Automation.
These devices make up the Internet of Things-IoT, which is greatly impacting organizations and everyday life.

After completing this assignment you will be able to:

  1. Start a Raspberry Pi
  2. Restart a Raspberry Pi
  3. Toggle monitor to display your laptop or the Raspberry Pi
  4. Shut down a Raspberry Pi
  5. Check for proper operation of the GrovePi+ data collection board
  6. Check for WiFi connectivity on a Raspberry Pi

These IOT assignments use a single board computer (Raspberry Pi), physical data acquisition system (Grove Pi+), Debian Linux operating system and a lot of custom built software applications to create a management information system. This provides you with hands-on exposure and experience to a complex system that collects, displays and stores data. The software programs transform this data into information. The type of information produced is up to you-these examples are a start. Organizations need people who can understand these systems, and continuously improve them to be better, more robust, and with additional features.
This project began in the fall of 2018, and these assignments have become more capable.


Somsen 301 Lab Overview

IoT workstation Figure 2-IoT Workstation-above monitor

Item 1-location to connect USB mouse or keyboard
Item 2-power button (Do not press!)


The landscape monitor is shared by your laptop and the Raspberry Pi.
To change whether your laptop or the Raspberry Pi is displayed, Press the 'input select' button in the lower right of the landscape monitor and wait a second.
The 'input select' button is marked by either a purple paint drop or a smiley face.
Subsequent pressing of the 'input select' button will cause the other computer to display.
monitor input selection Figure 2A-Input Select Button


The Internet of Things workstations in the Somsen 301 lab consist of:


Every morning the Raspberry Pi applies updates and restarts.
The desktop appears below:
4B Desktop at Startup Figure 3-Desktop at Startup

Notice the following about the desktop:

  1. The image name (DexPiRed4B) along with username and password is on the first line
  2. The next line is the date of the Raspbian operating system
  3. Then comes the GrovePi+ firmware version (1.4), Node-RED version (1.3.7)
  4. The remaining lines are usernames and passwords for various programs
  5. In the upper right corner will be that workstation's number, local IP address-this is to connect via VNC, and the public IP address
    Please leave this program open so students in other classes can see the IP address.
  6. The Raspberry icon in the upper left serves the same function as the Windows Start Button
  7. The browser window contains information that indicates if the Raspberry Pi is running correctly, and is used in other assignments. Feel free to explore.

Proper shutdown

Never turn the power button off or unplug the Raspberry Pi power supply unless you have first shutdown the Raspberry Pi.
Shutdown
Figure 4-Proper Shutdown

Failure to properly shutdown the Raspberry Pi can result in corruption of the microSD card which contains the operating systems and programs.
The result will be an SBC that does not run properly
If this occurs notify the professor or a teaching assistant so that the microSD card can be reflashed with a new operating system image.


Indications of Problems

The IoT workstations have worked well since Fall 2019, but occasionally problems arise.
The following is a list of potential problems, and action to take.

Sensor Problem
Figure 5A-Bad Sensor Data
Most recent Sensor Data should be within the last half hour.
Sensor readings are taken on the hour and half-hour
Bad sensor data can be caused by many different problems-bad hardware, bad web server, bad database....

low voltage warning
Figure 5B-Low Voltage Warning


Note: on DexPiRed4 and later images, there is a 'CPU Check' program on the Desktop-double-click and select 'Execute in Terminal'
The program checks and reports if the CPU has been throttled or experienced thermal excesses since it was last started.
check cpu

cpu okay


Grove Pi reset light
Figure 6-GrovePi+ Reset Light  




Assignment Overview
The figure below depicts the main parts of a Raspberry Pi 3 B+
A 16GB SanDisk microSD card that includes a Raspbian operating system and appropriate software has been installed

You are expected to have a working knowledge of SBC hardware and software.
If you do not understand how to use an item, perform a Google Search, refer to the WSU Technology Knowledge Base,  ask a teaching assistant, or ask the instructor.

Raspberry Pi 3 layout
Figure 7-Raspberry Pi 3 B+ layout


The figure below depicts the GrovePi+ data collection board, which is mounted above the Raspberry Pi.
Ten (10) sensors and actuators mounted on a wire mesh connect via 4-wire cables to various ports on the GrovePi+.
Grove Pi + layout
Figure 8-GrovePi+ Layout

 


Exercise 1-Working With a Raspberry Pi
  1. This work is done on the Raspberry Pi.
  2. Locate a USB keyboard and mouse.
    Plug them into available USB ports on the right side of the Pi at your station.
    See Figure 2.
  3. If the Pi is powered on, there is a steady red light in the lower left corner of the circuit board.
    If the Pi is not powered on, click the power button on the Pi, which should be on top or around the monitor in front of you.
    Below the red light is a green light that will flash, indicating CPU and disk activity.
  4. In the lower right corner of the landscape monitor, press the button marked with the colored dot or sticker.
    Repeatedly pressing this button toggles the monitor between displaying your laptop and the Raspberry Pi.
  5. ONLY CONNECT TO WSU 'som301and304' NETWORK!!!
  6. The Pi username is 'pi', the Pi password is on the desktop, it is:

    W1n0nA

  7. In the upper right corner of the desktop retrieve the Raspberry Pi IP address.
    Please do not close the IP Address window so that students in other classes can find it.
    You may want to take a picture of the IP Address with you cell phone, or record it somewhere.
    You will need the IP Address in later assignments to connect your computer to the Raspberry Pi.
    If the IP Address is not displayed, click on either the VNC icon: Raspberry Pi Desktop
    Figure 9-Raspberry Pi Desktop

    Alternatively you can click the IpAddress icon on the desktop and run the program ippi.py to display the IP Address again.
    Raspberry Pi IP Address
    Figure 10-Raspberry Pi IP Address

  8. In later assignments you will use this IP address to connect to the Pi.
    The IP address will be of the format: 10.xx.xx.xx
    Note that the IP address will periodically change.
  9. In the upper left corner, you will see the Raspberry Icon, aka 'Start Menu'
    Click the Raspberry icon,
    Raspberry
    then view the menu.
  10. On the Desktop menu bar, click the Globe icon to the right of the Raspberry icon, to start the Google Chrome browswer.
    Many people will use this computer, ensure that passwords are NOT being saved.
  11. In Chrome, click the menu (right-end of toolbar) and choose 'Settings'.
  12. Under Autofill, Click Passwords, turn off 'Offer to save passwords' and 'Auto Sign-in'
    Do Not Save Passwords
    Figure 11-Do Not Save Passwords


Submit Assignment

When all tasks are completed read and comprehend the statement below.
Then press the Submit button.


(100) 1. Assignment submission


Congratulations! You have successfully worked with a Raspberry Pi single board computer.
In the next series of assignments you will explore how to communicate with and control the Raspberry Pi from another computer.