Introducing the Raspberry Pi Pico 2: A Major Upgrade in Microcontroller Technology

Introducing the Raspberry Pi Pico 2: A Major Upgrade in Microcontroller Technology

Raspberry Pi Pico 2

The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 has officially launched, marking a significant leap forward from its predecessor. With the new RP2350 microcontroller at its core, the Pico 2 offers a suite of enhancements designed to elevate performance, security, and connectivity for developers and hobbyists alike.

Powerful Performance with Dual-Core and RISC-V

At the heart of the Pico 2 is the RP2350 microcontroller, featuring dual ARM Cortex-M33 processors running up to 150 MHz, a boost from the previous 133 MHz Cortex-M0+ cores. Notably, the Pico 2 also includes two RISC-V cores (Hazard3), which can be utilized during boot time. This combination not only improves performance but could potentially reduce costs by minimizing ARM licensing fees.

Advanced Memory and Storage

The Pico 2 doubles the memory and storage capabilities of its predecessor, boasting 520 KB of on-chip SRAM and 4 MB of external QSPI flash RAM. These upgrades provide developers with ample space and speed for more complex and sophisticated applications, all while maintaining the board's compact 21mm by 51mm form factor.

Robust Security Features

Security is a standout feature of the Pico 2. It integrates Arm TrustZone technology, a signed boot process, and a hardware-based true random number generator (TRNG) for enhanced protection. Additionally, the board includes 8KB of one-time programmable (OTP) memory for secure key storage, a redundancy coprocessor, and hardware fast glitch detectors to thwart potential attacks. Raspberry Pi is further backing these security measures with third-party audits and a $10,000 bounty for the first confirmed breach of the signed boot process, underscoring their commitment to security.

Upcoming Wireless Version: Pico 2 W

Excitingly, a wireless-capable version, the Pico 2 W, is set to be introduced by the end of 2024. This variant will feature the Infineon 43439 modem from the original Pico W, expanding connectivity options and opening up new possibilities for Internet of Things (IoT) and remote sensing projects.

Software and Ecosystem Enhancements

Accompanying the Pico 2 launch are updates to the Pico SDK, as well as new MicroPython and CircuitPython images. In addition, Jonathan Pallant and his team are working to bring Rust language support to the Pico 2, offering another powerful tool for developers. The Pico 2 will also serve as the reference hardware for the Trusted Firmware-M 2.1.0 Long Term Support release, providing a solid foundation for secure device development. Moreover, Raspberry Pi's collaboration with Google brings native support for the Pigweed SDK to the Pico 2, simplifying the use of middleware libraries in your projects.

The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 represents a significant advancement in microcontroller technology, combining enhanced performance, security, and connectivity in a compact and powerful package. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a hobbyist, the Pico 2 offers the tools and features to take your projects to the next level.