Raspberry Pi Pico 2W Overview
The Raspberry Pi Pico 2W is a significant update to Raspberry Pi Foundation’s wireless microcontroller board. Now built on the new RP2350 microcontroller, it delivers enhanced performance, improved security, and expanded features, while maintaining compatibility with the original Pico series.
Key Upgrades:
- Microcontroller: RP2350 with dual Arm Cortex-M33 and Hazard3 RISC-V cores, offering flexibility and 2x performance over the RP2040.
- Memory: 512KB SRAM (2x previous) and 4MB onboard flash memory.
- Networking: Single-band 2.4GHz WiFi (802.11n) and Bluetooth 5.2 using Infineon CYW43439.
- I/O Enhancements: Additional PIO block (3 total) for advanced peripheral control and HSTX for high-speed signal output.
- Security: Built-in Arm TrustZone, secure boot, hardware SHA-256, TRNG, glitch detection, and OTP key storage.
Wireless Features:
- WiFi with WPA3 support and soft AP for up to 4 clients.
- Bluetooth Classic and BLE (programming method-dependent).
- SPI interface with MicroPython, CircuitPython, and Arduino drivers.
Design Considerations:
- Antenna placement affects performance; avoid metal interference for optimal gain and bandwidth.
- Pin sharing may impact certain functions; e.g., SPI CLK is shared with VSYS monitor.
Performance Highlights:
- 2x the speed of RP2040 with dual M33 cores featuring an FPU.
- Ideal for CircuitPython projects with doubled memory capacity.
- Enhanced GPIO/PIO functionality for advanced signal generation.
Security Advancements:
- Open, documented architecture for professional-grade secure designs.
- Transparent features, contrasting with legacy "security through obscurity" models.
Compatibility and Cautions: The Pico 2W remains hardware and software-compatible with previous Pico boards. However, the A2 version of the RP2350 in current production is affected by the E9 erratum, impacting certain GPIO and PIO functions. For pull-down resistors, values ≤8.2K are recommended.
Programming: Compatible with C/C++, MicroPython, and CircuitPython, the Pico 2W is an excellent choice for both hobbyists and professionals seeking high performance and security in a compact form factor.