Raspberry Pi Pico Review A Good Arduino Alternative
Raspberry Pi Pico: A Good Arduino Alternative?
The Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller was released by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in January 2021, and it's been a topic of interest for many makers and DIY enthusiasts. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Pico and explore its features, advantages, and disadvantages.
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Initial Impressions
When the Pico was first released, many people were excited about it being the first microcontroller from Raspberry Pi. However, after taking a closer look at its specs and comparing it to other Arduino alternatives, I wasn't impressed. The board seemed to be nothing special, and I would have to use MicroPython to program it, which I'm not a fan of.
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Getting Started
To get started with the Pico, you'll need to solder the headers onto the board. Once that's done, you can connect it to your computer using a USB cable. The board comes with a built-in temperature sensor, two cores, and an integrated real-time clock.
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Basic Arduino Functions
One of the most important things for me is that the basic Arduino functions work just fine on the Pico. This includes digitalRead(), digitalWrite(), analogRead(), and analogWrite(). Many Arduino libraries have also been updated to be compatible with the Pico, making it easy to use existing code.
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Noisy Analog Input
One of the downsides of the Pico is its noisy analog input. The reason for this is not the analog-to-digital converter, but rather the power supply of the board. It's a switching power supply, which can introduce noise into the system.
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Workaround for Noisy Analog Input
One way to decrease the noise is to pull GPIO23 high through code. This will make the switching regulator continuously pause its internal MOSFET, reducing the noise.
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Great Features
Despite some of its drawbacks, the Pico has some great features that make it a good Arduino alternative. The switch-mode power supply is actually a buck-boost converter, allowing the board to work with an input voltage between 1.8V and 5.5V. This makes it ideal for battery-powered projects.
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PIOs
The Pico also has programmable inputs/outputs (PIOs) that can only do 9 instructions, but this is more than enough to emulate certain interfaces like I2S, DPI, or VGA. This feature makes the Pico a powerhouse for advanced users.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the Raspberry Pi Pico is a good Arduino alternative that has become even more attractive over time. Its great features, such as the switch-mode power supply and PIOs, make it an ideal choice for many projects. While it may have some drawbacks, such as the noisy analog input, there are workarounds available.
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| Raspberry Pi Pico |
The Raspberry Pi Pico is a microcontroller board developed by Raspberry Pi Ltd. |
| Release Date |
January 2021 |
| Processor |
Raspberry Pi RP2040, a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor |
| Memory |
2MB of flash memory and 264KB of SRAM |
| GPIO Pins |
29 GPIO pins, including 16 digital inputs/outputs and 5 analog inputs |
| Connectivity |
USB-C port for programming and debugging, as well as serial wire debug (SWD) interface |
| Power Supply |
3.3V supply voltage, with a range of 1.8-5.5V |
| Operating System |
CircuitPython and MicroPython support, as well as other operating systems such as Arduino and C++ |
| Purpose |
Designed for prototyping and developing IoT projects, robotics, and embedded systems |
| Raspberry Pi Pico Review: A Good Arduino Alternative? |
| The Raspberry Pi Foundation has recently released the Raspberry Pi Pico, a microcontroller board that is designed to be a more affordable and accessible alternative to traditional single-board computers. In this review, we will take a closer look at the Raspberry Pi Pico and explore its features, capabilities, and potential use cases. |
| Hardware Overview |
| The Raspberry Pi Pico is built around the RP2040 microcontroller, which is a custom-designed chip by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The RP2040 features a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor running at 133 MHz, 264KB of RAM, and 2MB of flash storage. |
| Key Features |
- Dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor running at 133 MHz
- 264KB of RAM
- 2MB of flash storage
- 29 GPIO pins
- 16 PWM channels
- 8 USB ports (1 x OTG, 7 x Host)
- JTAG and SWD debug interfaces
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| Software Overview |
| The Raspberry Pi Pico is programmed using MicroPython, which is a lightweight implementation of the Python programming language. The board also supports C and C++ programming using the RP2040 SDK. |
| Comparison to Arduino |
| The Raspberry Pi Pico is often compared to the Arduino boards, which are popular among hobbyists and makers. Here are a few key differences: |
- Processor: The RP2040 has a dual-core processor, while most Arduino boards have single-core processors.
- RAM: The Pico has more RAM than most Arduino boards.
- GPIO pins: The Pico has 29 GPIO pins, while most Arduino boards have fewer pins.
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| Conclusion |
| The Raspberry Pi Pico is a powerful and affordable microcontroller board that offers many features and capabilities. While it may not be the best choice for every project, it is definitely worth considering as an alternative to Arduino boards. |
| Pros |
- Affordable price point
- Powerful dual-core processor
- Large amount of RAM and flash storage
- Many GPIO pins and USB ports
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| Cons |
- Limited software support compared to Arduino
- No built-in Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity
- No analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
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| Q1: What is Raspberry Pi Pico? |
The Raspberry Pi Pico is a microcontroller board developed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation, designed to be a more affordable and compact alternative to traditional single-board computers. |
| Q2: Is Raspberry Pi Pico an Arduino alternative? |
Yes, the Raspberry Pi Pico can be considered an Arduino alternative due to its similar form factor, microcontroller-based design, and compatibility with various programming languages, including MicroPython. |
| Q3: What are the key features of Raspberry Pi Pico? |
The Raspberry Pi Pico features a RP2040 microcontroller, 2MB of flash memory, 264KB of SRAM, and 29 GPIO pins, making it suitable for various applications, including robotics, IoT projects, and wearables. |
| Q4: How does Raspberry Pi Pico compare to Arduino in terms of price? |
The Raspberry Pi Pico is generally more affordable than most Arduino boards, with a starting price of around $4, making it an attractive option for hobbyists and students. |
| Q5: Can I use Raspberry Pi Pico with the Arduino IDE? |
No, the Raspberry Pi Pico is not compatible with the Arduino IDE. Instead, it uses MicroPython or C++ programming languages, which may require additional setup and learning for those familiar with Arduino. |
| Q6: What are some advantages of using Raspberry Pi Pico over Arduino? |
The Raspberry Pi Pico offers advantages such as a more powerful microcontroller, more memory, and a lower price point compared to many Arduino boards. Additionally, it has built-in USB mass storage device functionality. |
| Q7: Can I use Raspberry Pi Pico for IoT projects? |
| Q8: Is Raspberry Pi Pico compatible with other Raspberry Pi boards? |
No, the Raspberry Pi Pico is not directly compatible with other Raspberry Pi boards, which are single-board computers running a full-fledged operating system. However, it can be used in conjunction with these boards for specific applications. |
| Q9: What kind of projects can I make with Raspberry Pi Pico? |
The Raspberry Pi Pico is suitable for various projects such as robotics, home automation, wearables, and environmental monitoring, among others. Its small size and low power consumption make it an ideal choice for battery-powered or portable projects. |
| Q10: Is Raspberry Pi Pico a good option for beginners? |
| Rank |
Pioneers/Companies |
Description |
| 1 |
Raspberry Pi Foundation |
The creator of the Raspberry Pi Pico, a leading single-board computer organization. |
| 2 |
Arduino |
A popular open-source electronics platform and a major competitor to Raspberry Pi Pico. |
| 3 |
Espressif Systems |
The company behind the ESP32/ESP8266 microcontrollers, which are often compared to the Raspberry Pi Pico. |
| 4 |
STMicroelectronics |
A leading semiconductor manufacturer that produces a range of microcontrollers compatible with the Raspberry Pi Pico. |
| 5 |
Microchip Technology |
A major provider of microcontrollers and other semiconductor products, including those used in IoT and maker projects. |
| 6 |
CircuitPython |
An open-source framework that allows Python programming on microcontrollers like the Raspberry Pi Pico. |
| 7 |
SparkFun Electronics |
A popular online retailer and manufacturer of electronics components, including those compatible with the Raspberry Pi Pico. |
| 8 |
Adafruit Industries |
A well-known maker of open-source hardware and software, including products that work with the Raspberry Pi Pico. |
| 9 |
Digilent Inc. |
A company that produces a range of electronic design tools and microcontrollers, some of which are compatible with the Raspberry Pi Pico. |
| 10 |
NXP Semiconductors |
A leading semiconductor manufacturer that produces microcontrollers used in a range of applications, including those similar to the Raspberry Pi Pico. |
| Raspberry Pi Pico Specifications |
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| Microcontroller |
Raspberry Pi RP2040, Dual-core Cortex-M0+ @ 133 MHz |
| Memory |
264 KB RAM, 2 MB Flash |
| GPIO |
29 GPIO pins, including 3 analog inputs and 16 digital inputs/outputs |
| Interfaces |
1 x Micro USB (for programming/debugging), 2 x SPI, 2 x I2C, 2 x UART, 1 x PWM |
| Storage |
On-board Flash, MicroSD card slot (optional) |
| Operating System |
CircuitPython, MicroPython, C/C++ SDK |
| Power Supply |
USB-powered (5V), or external power supply (1.8-5.5V) |
| Dimensions |
51 x 21 x 3.9 mm |
| Weight |
Approximately 3 grams |
| Price |
Around $4-$6 (depending on the region and retailer) |
| Comparison with Arduino Boards |
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| Parameter |
Raspberry Pi Pico |
Arduino Uno |
Arduino Nano |
| Microcontroller |
Dual-core Cortex-M0+ @ 133 MHz |
ATmega328P @ 16 MHz |
ATmega328P @ 16 MHz |
| Memory |
264 KB RAM, 2 MB Flash |
2 KB RAM, 32 KB Flash |
2 KB RAM, 30 KB Flash |
| GPIO |
29 GPIO pins |
14 digital inputs/outputs |
14 digital inputs/outputs |
| Interfaces |
1 x Micro USB, 2 x SPI, 2 x I2C, 2 x UART, 1 x PWM |
1 x USB (for programming/debugging), 1 x SPI, 1 x I2C |
1 x Micro USB (for programming/debugging) |
| Operating System |
CircuitPython, MicroPython, C/C++ SDK |
Arduino IDE |
Arduino IDE |
| Price |
Around $4-$6 |
Around $20-$30 |
Around $20-$30 |
| Raspberry Pi Pico Performance Comparison with Arduino Boards |
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| Benchmark |
Raspberry Pi Pico |
Arduino Uno |
Arduino Nano |
| Dhrystone (DMIPS) |
134 DMIPS @ 133 MHz |
0.13 DMIPS @ 16 MHz |
0.13 DMIPS @ 16 MHz |
| Coremark (score) |
154 score @ 133 MHz |
1.3 score @ 16 MHz |
1.3 score @ 16 MHz |
| Memory Bandwidth (MB/s) |
Up to 32 MB/s @ 133 MHz |
Up to 2 MB/s @ 16 MHz |
Up to 2 MB/s @ 16 MHz |
| Raspberry Pi Pico Power Consumption Comparison with Arduino Boards |
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| Mode |
Raspberry Pi Pico |
Arduino Uno |
Arduino Nano |
| Active (mA) |
Around 20-30 mA @ 133 MHz |
Around 15-25 mA @ 16 MHz |
Around 10-20 mA @ 16 MHz |
| Sleep (mA) |
Around 1-2 mA @ 133 MHz |
Around 0.5-1 mA @ 16 MHz |
Around 0.5-1 mA @ 16 MHz |
| Deep Sleep (mA) |
Around 0.05-0.1 mA @ 133 MHz |
Around 0.01-0.05 mA @ 16 MHz |
Around 0.01-0.05 mA @ 16 MHz |
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