An easy comparison between Arduino, STM32, Raspberry PI

Arduino

• Purpose: Arduino boards are primarily used for simple and standalone projects, especially in the field of electronics and physical computing.
• Microcontroller: Arduino boards are based on microcontrollers, typically from the Atmel AVR family. These microcontrollers have lower processing power and limited capabilities compared to full-fledged microprocessors.
• Programming Language: Arduino boards are programmed using the Arduino IDE, which is based on the C/C++ programming language. It provides a simplified and beginner-friendly programming environment.
• I/O Pins: Arduino boards have a limited number of digital and analog input/output pins (e.g., Arduino Uno has 14 digital pins and 6 analog pins) for connecting sensors, actuators, and other external devices.
• Real-time Capabilities: Arduino boards have real-time capabilities and can be used for tasks that require precise timing or control, such as robotics or automation.
• Power Consumption: Arduino boards are designed to be power-efficient, making them suitable for low-power and battery-powered applications.

STM32

• Purpose: STM32 microcontrollers are commonly used in professional embedded systems and applications that require more processing power and advanced features.
• Microcontroller: STM32 microcontrollers are based on the ARM Cortex-M family of microprocessors, offering higher performance and more advanced features compared to Arduino boards.
• Programming Language: STM32 microcontrollers can be programmed using various development environments, including the STM32CubeIDE, Keil MDK, and PlatformIO. They support programming languages like C, C++, and assembly.
• I/O Pins: STM32 microcontrollers offer a wide range of digital and analog input/output pins, providing more flexibility for connecting external devices and sensors.
• Real-time Capabilities: STM32 microcontrollers often have built-in real-time operating systems (RTOS) support and advanced peripherals, making them suitable for real-time applications.
• Power Consumption: Power consumption varies depending on the specific STM32 microcontroller, but they generally offer power-saving modes and features for efficient operation.

Raspberry

• Purpose: Raspberry Pi is a single-board computer designed for a wide range of applications, including desktop computing, IoT projects, media centers, and more.
• Processor: Raspberry Pi boards are powered by ARM-based processors, offering higher processing power and capabilities compared to microcontrollers.
• Operating System: Raspberry Pi boards run various operating systems, including Linux-based distributions like Raspbian (now called Raspberry Pi OS) and Ubuntu, as well as other specialized operating systems.
• Programming Languages: Raspberry Pi supports a wide range of programming languages, including Python, C/C++, Java, and more. It provides a full-fledged computing environment.
• I/O Pins: Raspberry Pi boards have general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins, allowing you to interface with external devices and sensors. The number of GPIO pins varies depending on the specific Raspberry Pi model.
• Connectivity: Raspberry Pi boards offer built-in Ethernet, USB ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI output, enabling easy connectivity with peripherals and other devices.
• Power Consumption: Raspberry Pi boards require a stable power supply, and the power consumption varies depending on the specific model and the peripherals connected.