The Raspberry Pi Pico is a low-cost, high-performance microcontroller development board built around the RP2040 microcontroller. Designed for embedded systems, IoT, robotics, and educational use, it offers dual-core processing, flexible I/O, and excellent real-time performance. With broad language support and strong community backing, the Pico is ideal for both beginners and advanced developers.
Core Board Specifications
• Microcontroller: RP2040
• CPU: Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+
• Clock Speed: Up to 133 MHz
• Onboard Memory: SRAM with external flash support
Electrical & Interface
• Operating Voltage: 1.8 V – 5.5 V (via VSYS)
• Logic Level: 3.3 V
• GPIO Pins: 26 multifunction GPIOs
• Analog Inputs: 3 × ADC (12-bit)
• Communication Interfaces: UART, I²C, SPI, PWM, USB 1.1
• Programming Interface: USB (mass storage drag-and-drop)
Performance Characteristics
• Deterministic real-time performance
• Programmable I/O (PIO) for custom protocols
• Low power consumption suitable for embedded use
• Fast boot and reliable execution
Physical Characteristics
• Board Type: Microcontroller development board
• Form Factor: DIP-style with castellated edges
• USB Connector: Micro-USB
• Compact and lightweight design
Compatibility
• Arduino IDE (with core support)
• MicroPython
• C/C++ SDK
• Embedded RTOS environments
• Sensors, displays, motors, and communication modules
Key Advantages
• Powerful dual-core MCU at low cost
• Flexible PIO for advanced I/O control
• Easy programming and debugging
• Strong documentation and community support
Technical Insights
• PIO allows bit-banging without CPU load
• External flash stores program and data
• Supports low-power sleep modes
• Requires external circuitry for wireless connectivity
Applications
• Embedded systems development
• Robotics and automation
• IoT edge devices
• Educational programming and electronics
• Real-time control applications
Pro Tip
• Use PIO for precise timing tasks
• Power via VSYS for battery applications
• Add headers for easier prototyping
• Choose MicroPython for rapid development
Package Includes
• 1 × Raspberry Pi Pico Board