Raspberry Pi Model A+

Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+, top view.

Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+, bottom view.

Overview

The Raspberry Pi is a credit card-sized computer. The Raspberry Pi Model A+ is a smaller, low-cost version of the Raspberry Pi. It is based on the BCM2835 system-on-chip (SoC), which includes an ARM11 processor and a powerful GPU. The Raspberry Pi Model A+ is recommended more for embedded and low-power projects that do not require Ethernet or multiple USB ports.

The Raspberry Pi was designed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in order to provide an affordable platform for experimentation and education in computer programming. The Raspberry Pi can be used for many of the things that a normal PC does, including using high-level computer programming languages (like Python), acting as a USB host, and operating system multitasking. Over five million Raspberry Pis have been sold, and lots of resources for the Raspberry Pi are available online.

With its 0.1″-spaced GPIO header and small size, the Raspberry Pi also works as a programmable controller in a wide variety of robotics and electronics applications. It can also be combined with our A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller LV with Raspberry Pi Bridge to make a great controller for a small robot. We also carry a selection of Raspberry Pi expansion boards.

Driving motors with an A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller LV with Raspberry Pi Bridge on a on a Raspberry Pi Model A+.

Features

• 700 MHz ARM11 processor
• 256 MB RAM
• One USB port
• Full-size HDMI output
• Four-pole 3.5 mm jack with audio output and composite video output
• 40-pin GPIO header with 0.1″-spaced male pins that are compatible with our 2×20 stackable female headers and the female ends of our premium jumper wires.
• Camera interface (CSI)
• Display interface (DSI)
• Micro SD card slot

What you will need

To use the Raspberry Pi, you will need a few additional things that are not included:

• A 5 V power source with a micro USB connector. We recommend this 5 VDC 1 A wall power adapter and a USB A-to-Micro-B cable.
• A microSD card with an operating system on it, which also serves as the main storage for the device.
• Input and output devices, such as a keyboard and monitor.

While the Raspberry Pi is powered from a 5 V supply, it operates at a 3.3 V logic level and its pins are not 5V-tolerant. Connecting higher voltages, like 5 V, directly to an I/O pin could damage the board. We recommend you use something like our bidirectional logic level shifter to interface this board with 5V systems.

For more information about the Raspberry Pi, see the technical, help, and resource documents on the Raspberry Pi website.

Comparing Raspberry Pi models

The table below shows some key features and specifications of the Raspberry Pi boards to help you choose the right one for your application.

	Raspberry Pi Model A+ 512MB	Raspberry Pi Model B+	Raspberry Pi 2 Model B	Raspberry Pi 3 Model B	Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
CPU:	BCM2835		BCM2836	BCM2837	BCM2837B0
CPU cores:	1		4
CPU speed:	700 MHz		900 MHz	1.2 GHz	1.4 GHz
RAM:	512 MB	512 MB	1 GB
Ethernet:	No	Yes
WiFi:	No			2.4 GHz 802.11n	2.4 GHz 5 GHz 802.11b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth:	No			4.1	4.2
Bluetooth Low Energy:	No			Yes
HDMI:	Yes
Analog video:	Yes1
SD socket:	microSD
Onboard regulators:	switching
Expansion header pins:	40
USB ports:	1	4
Mounting holes:	4
Dimensions2:	2.5″ × 2.2″ × 0.47″	3.35″ × 2.2″ × 0.8″
Weight3:	23 g	42 g			50 g

1 Audio and analog video provided by a single four-pole 3.5 mm jack. This 3.5 mm jack also has its own dedicated low-noise power supply for improved audio.
2 Length and width measurements are for the PCB only; several of the connectors extend past the edge of the board.
3 Weight does not include microSD cards.

Raspberry Pi is a trademark of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.