(Image credit: Raspberry Pi)
No matter the SBC (Single Board Computer), microcontroller, or chip, there will always be myths that inevitably become associated with the technology. This is prominent before the technology is released, as the information is slowly trickled out to consumers. As strange as it may sound, other myths and rumors can arise even after the technology is released, and it's no different for Raspberry Pi's RP2040 chip, which was released in January 2021.
The incredibly affordable microcontroller (around $1 US) features a dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+ processor, 264 KB SRAM, 2x UART, 2x SPI controllers, 2x I2C controllers and 16x PWM channels. It also packs a USB 1.1 controller and PHY with host and device support and 8x programmable I/O state machines for custom peripheral support. Moreover, it features an on-chip clock, temperature sensor and on-chip accelerated integer and floating-point libraries. That's a lot of hardware packed into a 7 × 7mm QFN-56 surface-mount device (SMD) package.
The tech specs of the RP2040 chip are important to note as we look at some of the current myths circulating in chatrooms, forums and customer support areas of typical retailers. Below are a few of these rumors that some engineers and consumers have presented as facts but are anything but.
The RP2040 is a full-fledged Raspberry Pi.
The RP2040 is not a complete Raspberry Pi SBC but rather a microcontroller designed to be used in embedded systems, IoT projects and more. While the chip is versatile and powerful in its own right, it is not a stand-alone system like traditional Raspberry Pi boards.
The RP2040 is only for beginners.
The overview of the RP20 shows how much technology is packed into the chip and can be used by anyone from beginners to experts. (Image credit: Raspberry Pi)
The RP2040 is a versatile chip that beginners and advanced users can utilize to create any number of embedded projects and features an extensive range of I/O options and programming languages. It can also be used for advanced complex projects that require low-level control and real-time performance. Some have used the chip to build hand-held videogame platforms capable of running 3D games in all their glory, while others have tapped into its potential to create motion detection and gesture recognition platforms.
One of the most significant features of the RP2040 is its PIO (Programmable I/O) subsystem, which provides additional computing power and flexibility to all users. Think of PIO as simple state machines that supplement the computing capabilities of the CPU. Since CPUs can only run one computing task at any given time depending on the number of cores, PIO allows users to send resource-intensive tasks to those state machines, which frees up valuable resources on the main CPU.
Additional capabilities include USB 1.1 host support, 12-bit ADC (Analog to Digital Converter), RTC with low power modes, PWM and timers, a rich software ecosystem and support for various programming languages.
The RP2040 is limited for IoT applications.
This myth is false, as the RP2040 was designed for IoT and real-world applications. The Raspberry Pi Foundation has a track record of producing quality SBCs and microcontrollers, and the RP2040 has undergone complete testing and validation. Some do feel that the chip isn't an ideal choice for commercial IoT networks citing security concerns within the microcontroller's architecture, and they would be right.
The RP2040 wasn't designed for safety-critical applications or industrial use. There is no secure boot, firmware encryption, cryptography capabilities, or sealed security keys. This is because the RP2040 is an open-hardware platform allowing anyone to modify it to their needs. Some users implement security features using the chip in custom SBCs outfitted with additional hardware and software security measures.
The RP2040 is challenging to integrate with cloud services.
The Raspberry Pi Pico is equipped with the RP2040 and provides wireless LAN and Bluetooth capabilities. (Image credit: Raspberry Pi)
This myth teeters on the edge of true and false. On the one hand, the chip itself can't connect to anything as it has no wireless capabilities; however it can when embedded into a board that does. The Raspberry Pi Pico series, for example, comes equipped with GPIO headers that allow users to connect additional boards, including those with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet. This allows users to connect to the cloud in several ways.
The latest Pico board comes with a fully certified module on board featuring 2.4GHz 802.11n wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.2, making it easy to connect to cloud services. For example, connecting to Azure's IoT Cloud is simple and only requires a few steps to get up and running. Users only need to configure the board with Windows 10 to generate a new IoT Central X.509 cert, configure some files and other certifications, set up Azure IoT Central and perform additional housekeeping measures and implement some code.
The RP2040 incompatible with Industry Standards
The RP2040 supports various communication interfaces, including UART, SPI, USB and I2C, and a host of PICs. These allow the chip to integrate with myriad sensors, actuators and a host of peripheral devices that conform to industry standards. In short, yes, the RP2040 does indeed conform to some industry standards; however it's important to note that the responsibility to adhere to any one standard for a particular application rest with the developer or project designer.
To make sure the RP2040 is compliant with any industry standard, it's essential to thoroughly understand the standard's requirements and carefully implement any protocols and functionality within the application code. Moreover, Raspberry Pi is noted for its community of developers who routinely upload project applications and custom code for any number of projects.
The RP2040 lacks support and community resources.
This myth is false, and as mentioned earlier, the Raspberry Pi website hosts a ton of learning material, resources, subject matter experts, projects, code and more. Nearly all of their products are open-source for a reason, and if the user can't find what they're looking for, there are makers and engineers on the website that can point them in the right direction.
The RP2040 is not suitable for battery-powered IoT devices
That myth is wrong. The RP2040 is well-suited for battery-powered IoT projects and remote applications. The chip offers low power consumption and provides several power modes that allow users to place the chip in sleep mode during idle periods, which extends battery life.
According to Raspberry Pi, the RP2040 requires one of five or all power supplies, depending on the application. However, in most applications, several can be combined and connected to a single power source. In a typical application, only a single 3.3V supply will be required. These include a Digital I/O Supply, Digital Core Supply, On-Chip Voltage Regulator Input Supply, USB PHY Supply and a single 3.3V Supply. The number of power options allows users to create energy-efficient IoT devices for many applications, including remote sensing, data logging, smart home devices, wearable and more.
Conclusion
Again, no matter the device, SBC or microcontroller, there will always be rumors and myths, certainly so when the technology hasn't hit the market yet or is still in its infancy. These myths are often dispelled after product launch as users start tinkering and creating projects. That said, it's crucial to verify information from reliable sources, such as the manufacturer, company or institution, and to stay up to date on the latest developments and product revisions. Usually, the company will provide documentation and data sheets when their products are released, which are valid for every board and chip from Raspberry Pi.
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