Raspberry Pi Configuration

Process for configuring a Raspberry Pi for eVOLVER

Please see the Raspberry Pi infrastructure page for additional information on the RPi we use for the eVOLVER.

Be sure to update the server code on the RPi after following this guide, or you will have issues communicating with the server through the DPU or with actuating/sensing connected components!

RPi Imager Guide - Recommended

Command Line Guide (Mac/UNIX only)

Using Raspberry Pi Imager

1. Download the pre-configured eVOLVER RPi image here.

2. Download and install the Rapberry Pi Imager Tool.

3. Plug an 8GB micro-SD for the RPi into an adapter, then into a the computer.

4. Click the Choose OS button, then scroll to the bottom and click Use Custom.

5. In the popup at the dropdown at the bottom of the window, select All files(*.*). Then select the image file downloaded in Step 1.

6. Click the Choose Storage button and select the SD Card.

7. Click the Write button. A notification might appear warning about erasing all existing data on the card. Click Yes. If it asks for your computer password afterwards, enter it. It might take a while to finish (~40m).

8. When it completes, you can plug the SD card into the RPi. You will need to update the server code and potentially the conf.yml with the latest code from GitHub.

Using command line utilities (Mac/UNIX only)

1. Download the pre-configured eVOLVER RPi image here.

2. Plug the SD card into the computer.

3. Open a terminal of your choice (I recommend iTerm2).

4. Run the following command:

diskutil list

Identify the SD card name from this (it should be obvious). Next run:

diskutil unmountdisk <diskname>

where <diskname> is the name you identified from the previous command - it should look like

/dev/disk3/ or something similar.

5. Use the dd command to copy the image onto the SD card:

sudo dd bs=4m if=<diskimage.img> of=<diskname>

Be sure to change the two arguments above! if should point to the image you downloaded from step 1, and of should be the diskname.

This command can take a while, and it doesn't show any status or progress updates - be patient. If it fails, try decreasing the bs argument to 1m instead of 4m - this will slow things down but will decrease the chance of failure. If you still have issues reach out on the forum.

6. When it completes, you can plug the SD card into the RPi. You will need to update the server code and potentially the conf.yml with the latest code from GitHub.

Backing Up Raspberry Pi (Make a Custom Image)

Writing an image to save your full Raspberry Pi configuration.

Useful to save time when reimaging your Raspberry Pi if you want to go back to your custom Python code and calibrations as quickly as possible.

Follow this guide: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/back-up-raspberry-pi-as-disk-image