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How to Use Raspberry Pi Pico: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs
Design with Raspberry Pi Pico in Cirkit DesignerIntroduction
The Raspberry Pi Pico is a microcontroller board that marks the Raspberry Pi Foundation's entry into the microcontroller market. It is built around the RP2040, a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor designed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. The Pico is designed for ease of use and accessibility, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned makers. It is suitable for a wide range of applications, from simple LED blink projects to complex IoT devices and embedded systems.
Explore Projects Built with Raspberry Pi Pico
Wi-Fi Controlled RGB Lighting with Raspberry Pi Pico W
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller connected to an RGB LED through GPIO pins GP17, GP18, and GP19 for controlling the blue, green, and red channels, respectively. A resistor is connected between the 3V3 OUT pin of the Pico and the common cathode of the RGB LED to limit the current. The embedded code suggests the Pico W is configured for Wi-Fi connectivity and MQTT communication to control the LED and possibly other peripherals not shown in the circuit, with additional functionality for sensor monitoring and display output.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerRaspberry Pi Pico-Based Navigation System with Bluetooth and GPS
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller interfaced with multiple peripherals for navigation and control. It includes an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication, an HMC5883L compass for magnetic heading detection, a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking, and an SG90 servomotor for actuation. The Pico manages data exchange with the GPS and compass via serial connections, controls the servomotor, and communicates wirelessly through the HC-05 module.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerRaspberry Pi Pico-Based Navigation Assistant with Bluetooth and GPS
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller interfaced with an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication, an HMC5883L compass module for magnetic field measurement, and a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking. The Pico is configured to communicate with the HC-05 via serial connection (TX/RX), with the compass module via I2C (SCL/SDA), and with the GPS module via serial (TX/RX). Common power (VCC) and ground (GND) lines are shared among all modules, indicating a unified power system.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerRaspberry Pi Pico W-Based Smart Home Automation System with Motion Detection and Environmental Monitoring
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller connected to various sensors and actuators, including a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor, an RCWL-0516 microwave radar motion sensor, a photocell (LDR) with a resistor for light detection, and a two-channel relay controlling a bulb and a fan. The microcontroller runs code to monitor environmental conditions and motion, displaying information on an LCD and allowing remote control via MQTT messages over Wi-Fi. It supports both automatic sensor-based operation and remote app control, with pushbuttons to switch between modes.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerExplore Projects Built with Raspberry Pi Pico
Wi-Fi Controlled RGB Lighting with Raspberry Pi Pico W
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller connected to an RGB LED through GPIO pins GP17, GP18, and GP19 for controlling the blue, green, and red channels, respectively. A resistor is connected between the 3V3 OUT pin of the Pico and the common cathode of the RGB LED to limit the current. The embedded code suggests the Pico W is configured for Wi-Fi connectivity and MQTT communication to control the LED and possibly other peripherals not shown in the circuit, with additional functionality for sensor monitoring and display output.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerRaspberry Pi Pico-Based Navigation System with Bluetooth and GPS
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller interfaced with multiple peripherals for navigation and control. It includes an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication, an HMC5883L compass for magnetic heading detection, a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking, and an SG90 servomotor for actuation. The Pico manages data exchange with the GPS and compass via serial connections, controls the servomotor, and communicates wirelessly through the HC-05 module.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerRaspberry Pi Pico-Based Navigation Assistant with Bluetooth and GPS
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller interfaced with an HC-05 Bluetooth module for wireless communication, an HMC5883L compass module for magnetic field measurement, and a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking. The Pico is configured to communicate with the HC-05 via serial connection (TX/RX), with the compass module via I2C (SCL/SDA), and with the GPS module via serial (TX/RX). Common power (VCC) and ground (GND) lines are shared among all modules, indicating a unified power system.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerRaspberry Pi Pico W-Based Smart Home Automation System with Motion Detection and Environmental Monitoring
This circuit features a Raspberry Pi Pico W microcontroller connected to various sensors and actuators, including a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor, an RCWL-0516 microwave radar motion sensor, a photocell (LDR) with a resistor for light detection, and a two-channel relay controlling a bulb and a fan. The microcontroller runs code to monitor environmental conditions and motion, displaying information on an LCD and allowing remote control via MQTT messages over Wi-Fi. It supports both automatic sensor-based operation and remote app control, with pushbuttons to switch between modes.
Open Project in Cirkit DesignerCommon Applications and Use Cases
- Educational projects and learning to program
- DIY electronics and hobbyist projects
- Prototyping IoT devices
- Wearable electronics
- Robotics
- Automation systems
Technical Specifications
Key Technical Details
- Chip: RP2040 microcontroller chip designed by Raspberry Pi in the United Kingdom
- Processor: Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz
- Memory: 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of on-board Flash memory
- GPIO: 26 multi-function GPIO pins
- Interfaces:
- 2 × SPI
- 2 × I2C
- 2 × UART
- 3 × 12-bit ADC
- 16 × controllable PWM channels
- Input Voltage: 1.8V to 5.5V
- Operating Temperature: -20°C to +85°C
Pin Configuration and Descriptions
| Pin Number | Name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | VBUS | USB input voltage |
| 2 | VSYS | System input voltage |
| 3-6 | GND | Ground |
| 7 | GP0 | GPIO 0 / SPI RX |
| 8 | GP1 | GPIO 1 / SPI TX |
| ... | ... | ... |
| 40 | GP29 | GPIO 29 |
Note: This table is not exhaustive. Refer to the official datasheet for the full pinout.
Usage Instructions
How to Use the Component in a Circuit
- Powering the Pico: Connect the USB input (VBUS) to a 5V USB power source. Alternatively, you can supply voltage to the VSYS pin within the range of 1.8V to 5.5V.
- Connecting GPIO Pins: Use the GPIO pins for interfacing with sensors, actuators, and other components. Ensure that the voltage levels are compatible with the Pico's logic levels.
- Programming the Pico: Connect the Pico to a computer via a micro-USB cable. Use the Thonny IDE or another suitable development environment to write and upload code.
Important Considerations and Best Practices
- Always ensure that the power supply is within the specified range to avoid damaging the board.
- When interfacing with other components, check their voltage and current requirements to ensure compatibility.
- Use proper ESD precautions when handling the Pico to prevent static damage.
- To minimize noise and improve performance, use decoupling capacitors where necessary.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Common Issues Users Might Face
- Pico Not Recognized by Computer: Ensure the micro-USB cable is properly connected and that it is a data cable capable of transferring data, not just charging.
- GPIO Pin Not Working: Check for proper pin initialization in your code and ensure there are no shorts or open circuits in your connections.
Solutions and Tips for Troubleshooting
- If the Pico is not recognized, try a different USB port or cable and ensure that your computer's OS has the necessary drivers installed.
- For GPIO issues, use a multimeter to check the continuity and voltage levels at the pin to diagnose the problem.
FAQs
Q: Can I use the Raspberry Pi Pico with Arduino IDE? A: Yes, the Pico can be programmed using the Arduino IDE with the appropriate board support package installed.
Q: What programming languages can I use with the Pico? A: The Pico supports C/C++ and MicroPython out of the box.
Q: How do I reset the Pico? A: You can reset the Pico by pressing and releasing the onboard RESET button.
Example Code for Arduino UNO
Here is an example of how to blink an LED connected to GPIO 15 on the Raspberry Pi Pico using MicroPython:
from machine import Pin, Timer
Initialize GPIO 15 as an output pin
led = Pin(15, Pin.OUT)
Toggle the LED state
def toggle_led(timer): led.toggle()
Create a software timer that toggles the LED every 500ms
timer = Timer() timer.init(freq=2, mode=Timer.PERIODIC, callback=toggle_led)
The LED will now toggle every 500ms
*Note: This code is written for MicroPython and is intended to be run on the Raspberry Pi Pico. The comments are wrapped to comply with the 80 character line length limit.*
For more detailed information, refer to the official Raspberry Pi Pico documentation and datasheets.