Looking for a Library Supporting Hardware PWM on RPi3 (Not Using Sysfs)? You’re in Luck!

Are you tired of using software PWM on your Raspberry Pi 3 (RPi3) projects, only to find that they’re not as accurate or reliable as you need them to be? Do you want to unlock the full potential of your RPi3’s hardware PWM capabilities? Look no further! In this article, we’ll explore the best libraries that support hardware PWM on RPi3 without using sysfs, and provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to get started with them.

What is Hardware PWM, and Why Do I Need It?

Before we dive into the libraries, let’s quickly cover the basics. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) is a technique used to control the power supplied to devices such as LEDs, motors, and servos. There are two types of PWM: software PWM and hardware PWM. Software PWM uses the CPU to generate the PWM signal, while hardware PWM uses a dedicated hardware module to generate the signal.

Hardware PWM offers several advantages over software PWM, including:

• Faster and more accurate signal generation
• Less CPU usage, allowing for more complex projects
• Better noise reduction and EMI immunity

In this article, we’ll focus on libraries that support hardware PWM on RPi3 without using sysfs. Sysfs is a Linux kernel interface that allows users to access and control hardware components, but it’s not the most efficient way to access the RPi3’s PWM capabilities.

Top Libraries for Hardware PWM on RPi3 (Not Using Sysfs)

After researching and testing various libraries, we’ve narrowed down the list to the top three libraries that support hardware PWM on RPi3 without using sysfs. Drumroll, please…

1. RPi.GPIO (Python Library)

Raspberry Pi’s official Python library, RPi.GPIO, provides a simple and easy-to-use interface for controlling the RPi3’s GPIO pins, including the PWM channels. While it’s not specifically designed for hardware PWM, it does provide access to the PWM hardware module.

To get started with RPi.GPIO, install the library using pip:

pip install RPi.GPIO

Here’s an example code snippet that demonstrates how to use RPi.GPIO for hardware PWM:

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
GPIO.setup(18, GPIO.OUT)
pwm = GPIO.PWM(18, 50)  # 50Hz frequency
pwm.start(50)  # 50% duty cycle

# Change the duty cycle
pwm.ChangeDutyCycle(75)

# Stop the PWM signal
pwm.stop()

2. WiringPi (C Library)

WiringPi is a popular C library that provides access to the RPi3’s GPIO pins, including the PWM channels. It’s a powerful and flexible library that’s widely used in RPi projects.

To get started with WiringPi, install the library using the following command:

sudo apt-get install wiringpi

Here’s an example code snippet that demonstrates how to use WiringPi for hardware PWM:

#include 

int main() {
  wiringPiSetupGpio();
  pinMode(18, PWM_OUTPUT);
  pwmWrite(18, 128);  // 50% duty cycle

  // Change the duty cycle
  pwmWrite(18, 192);

  return 0;
}

3. pigpio (C Library)

Pigpio is a C library that provides a more comprehensive interface to the RPi3’s GPIO pins, including the PWM channels. It’s a powerful library that’s designed for high-performance applications.

To get started with pigpio, install the library using the following command:

sudo apt-get install pigpio

Here’s an example code snippet that demonstrates how to use pigpio for hardware PWM:

#include 

int main() {
  gpioInitialise();
  gpioPWMRange(18, 1000);  // Set the PWM range to 1000
  gpioPWMFrequency(18, 50);  // Set the PWM frequency to 50Hz
  gpioPWMServo(18, 500);  // Set the PWM signal to 50% duty cycle

  // Change the duty cycle
  gpioPWMServo(18, 750);

  gpioTerminate();
  return 0;
}

Comparison of Libraries

So, which library should you choose? Here’s a comparison table to help you decide:

	Language	Complexity	Performance
RPi.GPIO	Python	Easy	Good
WiringPi	C	Moderate	Very Good
Pigpio	C	Advanced	Excellent

As you can see, each library has its strengths and weaknesses. RPi.GPIO is a great choice for Python projects, while WiringPi and pigpio are better suited for C projects that require high-performance PWM capabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, looking for a library supporting hardware PWM on RPi3 without using sysfs is a great decision. By choosing the right library for your project, you can unlock the full potential of your RPi3’s hardware PWM capabilities and create more accurate and reliable projects. Whether you’re using Python or C, there’s a library on this list that’s perfect for you.

Remember to check the documentation and examples for each library to get started with hardware PWM on your RPi3 projects. Happy coding!

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