A new RPI Pico in the works?

The only thing I have issues with is at the bottom end of the ADC. It never gives a proper zero. It jumps about between 300 and 700. You can adjust for most situations with a bit of code:

# Set up the potentiometers in a list
pots = [] # Empty list of potentiometers
for i in range(3):
    pot = ADC(i)
    pots.append(pot)

# Function to get a number from the position of the potentiometer
def get_pot_no(adc, maxx):
    reading = pots[adc].read_u16()
    # Adjust low end
    reading = reading - 700
    if reading < 0:
        reading = 0
    result = int((maxx * reading)/(65535-750)*1.01) # rescale
    # Adjust top end
    if result > maxx:
        result = maxx
    return result # Send answer back to main program

print(get_pot_no(2,100))

The problem is that this throws off voltage conversion if you need a real voltage.

It is probably associated with the conversion of the 12-bit ADC reading to 16 bits to fit in with PWM

Please, give us a proper zero next time.

Yes, ++ your recommendation, the ADC isn't that great. I never trust it beyond 8 bits. 

Need for external flash.

The main reason that I don't use it at all is the lack of support in Keil MDK. Keil/ARM expect the micro supplier to make the necessary integration files but RPi have obviously not thought this worthwhile. I use the Keil tools all the time - so it really matters to me - others might not find it an issue at all.

But there are other reasons too, lack of internal flash, odd peripherals -  the PIO is interesting but not very mainstream. The ADC is rudimentary (poor performance, only 4 channels). The timers are not  patch on what ST and others offer.

The other big reason is that a lot of my work is designs that will be produced commercially  - and the RPI crew are not generally considered to be a serious chip supplier. That may not be fair (although I think it shows in the data sheet and support materials) but the hard fact is that they make only the one chip. I did look at ti quite hard (at RP2040) a couple of years ago but my customer preferred Giga Devices - although Chinese they look more like people seem to expect a chip supplier to look.

MK

Crickets 

For one off projects/task/experiments I really like the PICO.

But yes for commercial use there is a lot of competition out there...

No input capture on any of the timers :(  

scottiebabe said:

Crickets 

Do any commercial entities ever really advertise or explain what microcontroller products they're using? Especially to be searchable?

I've found most don't want to talk about it or mention it publicly.

I thought the same so I repeated sb's Google. Found a couple of threads on Reddit in which some unnamed companies were claimed to be using RP2040 but no good hard information.

Generally big names only wish to be seen using parts from other big names.

I'm just the same - my customers don't usually want me to let on who they are.

MK

dang - these boards are having a life cycle of 2-3 years. My maker inventory looks like the Smithsonian.

I was just thinking the same thing - just yesterday I was looking at a couple of new unused digisparks in my drawer wondering if they still make sense. I’ll probably find something silly for them  

Plus 1 on this. I have scads of "obsolete" development cards. It isn't just use them or lose them, it is a case of only acquire what you are definitely going to use in the near term. Maybe there is some obscure little museum that would showcase the history of development cards. I have several Pi Picos - will need to get busy and use them.