Embedded Computing
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Raspberry Pi Pico RP2040 Board

This is the first board from Raspberry Pi based on the RP2040 MCU.

The two official environments are C/C++ and MicroPython.

Hardware

The MCU features a dual-core Cortex-M0+ MCU running up to 133 MHz with 264 kB SRAM. Flash is external QSPI 2 MB.​

The board is minimalistic with a push-button for uploading and a green LED.

Software

The official C/C++ SDK relies on Cmake with Visual Studio Code as recommended IDE. For portability, I switched to an Arduino-compatible implementation. 

I haven't tested MicroPython. 

Arduino-compatible options

Arduino has published the ArduinoCore-mbed board package to support the Pico RP2040. 

However, I've faced two issues with release 2.1.0:
  • Large projects fail to upload and/or run, while they succeed with the arduino-pico board package. The issue was reported at RPI Pico: LED blinks 4 long, 4 short, then again #316.
  • The Segger J-Link programmer-debugger experiences issues with the underlying mbedOS when debugging against the Pico. 
 
So I recommend using the arduino-pico boards package by Earle F. Philhower. 

The main differences are about the location of the pins for the default SPI and I²C buses.​ Large projects upload and run, and debugging with the ​Segger J-Link programmer-debugger raises no issues.

Additionally, this package supports all the boards based on the RP2040, including Adafruit and 
SparkFun variants.

Debugging

The board exposes the SWD signals clock and data, making debugging connections very easy. For the programmer-debugger, the multiple options include: using the second core of the same Pico, using a second Pico board, using a standard programmer-debugger like the Segger J-Link.

​The page Debugging against the Pico Board reviews those options.

Pins Map

The pins map shwon below is valid for the recommended arduino-pico boards package by Earle F. Philhower. 
Picture

Conclusion

At GBP4/USD4/EUR4, the Raspberry Pi Pico brings incredible value; and for twice the price, a fully operationnal programmer-debugger for serious development.

With two cores and excellent documentation, the board can be programmed with C/C++ or Python using a wide range of tools, including the Arduino IDE and Visual Studio Code.

Pros

  • Powerful board
  • Excellent documentation
  • Debugging pins exposed

Cons

  • Single USB use: upload or serial console
  • Select the core library with caution

Wrap-Up

  • Incredible value
  • Highly recommended

Links

  • Product page
  • Documentation
  • arduino-pico boards package by Earle F. Philhower. 
Picture
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