The Raspberry Pi Pico is a low-cost, high-performance microcontroller board from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. It’s designed for embedded projects, electronics experimentation, and learning, offering powerful features while being affordable and accessible for hobbyists and professionals alike.
Key Features of the Raspberry Pi Pico
- RP2040 Microcontroller:
- Dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ at 133MHz.
- 264KB of SRAM and 2MB of flash storage onboard.
- Supports C/C++ and MicroPython, allowing flexibility in programming.
- Designed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, focusing on high performance and low power consumption.
- GPIO Pins:
- 26 multi-functional GPIO (General-Purpose Input/Output) pins.
- Supports digital I/O, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), I2C, SPI, UART, and ADC functions.
- 3 dedicated ADC pins (12-bit, 0-3.3V range) for reading analog signals.
- I/O and Power Options:
- 3.3V operating voltage for GPIO, with 5V input via USB.
- Powered via USB or external power supply (1.8V – 5.5V).
- USB 1.1 device for power and programming.
- Programmable I/O (PIO):
- Two Programmable I/O (PIO) blocks that allow users to create custom peripherals (e.g., generating precise timing signals or custom communication protocols).
- PIO is one of the Pico’s standout features, offering flexibility for advanced users.
- Small Form Factor:
- Compact DIP package measuring 51mm x 21mm with castellated edges, ideal for breadboard use or soldering onto custom PCBs.
