The document discusses the BeagleBone Black, a low-cost, Linux-based ARM platform, highlighting its hardware specifications, connectivity options, and programming languages. It outlines recommended accessories, operating systems, and tools for connecting to and utilizing the device, including the Cloud9 editor and Bonescript for JavaScript. Additionally, it mentions BeagleBone capes for expansion and custom microcontroller programming projects.

1. Connecting Hardware to the Web
with the BeagleBone
Frank Hunleth
Twitter: @fhunleth
Pi Masters Meetup 11/21/13

2. What!?!?! This isn't a Raspberry Pi?
≠
But, they're both low cost Linux-based ARM platforms
used and supported by many people just like us

3. Nuts & Bolts
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Fast
–
–
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1 GHz ARM Cortex A8
Two 200 MHz
microcontrollers (super cool!)
Lots of memory
–
–
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512 MB DRAM
2 GB Flash and MicroSD card
slot
Connects to everything
–
Ethernet, USB, HDMI
–
Tons of I/Os via the 2 46 pin
headers

4. What You “Need”
●
Black vs. white → Get the BeagleBone Black (BBB)
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FTDI cable
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Wired Ethernet*
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4 GB+ MicroSD card
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Memory card reader
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5V power brick

5. Options!
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Which OS?
–
–
Ubuntu Linux - lots of users
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Buildroot - my favorite
–
●
Angstrom Linux - default
Bare metal - OSs are for wimps
Which language?
–
Javascript (node.js) - most support especially for new users
–
Python - lots of users, but not as popular as on the RPi
–
C/C++ - only option for some features
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Assembly language - embedded microcontroller programming
–
Erlang - :-)

6. Connecting to the BeagleBone
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Ethernet
–
–
Webserver with docs and helpful links
–
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ssh (user: root, password: root)
Cloud9 editor at http://beaglebone:3000/
USB cable
–
–
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Just plug the USB cable into your PC for power
BeagleBone shows up as a network adapter
FTDI cable
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Looks like a serial port on your PC (115200 8N1)
–
Super helpful for debugging networking or boot issues

7. Cloud9

8. BoneScript
●
Arduino-like library, but Javascript for Node.js
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http://beagleboard.org/Support/BoneScript/
pinMode()
digitalWrite()
digitalRead()
analogWrite()
analogRead()
readTextFile()
writeTextFile()

9. Demo Demo Demo

10. Demo Schematic

11. Code Walk-through
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https://github.com/fhunleth/pimasters-bbb-demo

12. Going Further
BeagleBone capes
– Tons of pre-made daughterboards available
– Custom ones are not that hard to make!
● BeagleBone microcontroller programming
– Real-time logic
– Assembly language (but not too hard)
● Nerves
– My project for using the Erlang programming language to build
embedded systems
– http://nerves-project.org/
●

13. Connecting Hardware to the Web
with the BeagleBone
Frank Hunleth
Twitter: @fhunleth
Pi Masters Meetup 11/21/13