Adafruit Raspberry Pi RP2040 Microcontroller - Surface Mount Chips

The Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller redefines what is possible with dual-core processing in a micro-sized package. Embedded within this chip are dual ARM Cortex-M0+ cores running at 133MHz for robust performance, and 264kB of on-chip SRAM allocated across six independent banks. This design enables seamless support for demanding operations and rapid data management.

The RP2040 offers a versatile peripheral interface, featuring two UARTs, two SPI controllers, two I2C controllers, and 16 PWM channels. Connection flexibility extends to 30 GPIO pins, with four capable of analog input. A fully integrated USB 1.1 controller and PHY provide seamless host and device support.

Innovatively equipped with a 'permanent ROM' USB UF2 bootloader, updating firmware is straightforward. Upon engaging the BOOTSEL button, the microcontroller appears as a USB disk drive, facilitating easy firmware drag-and-drop.

The RP2040's unique PIO state machines empower users to script custom hardware logic for complex tasks. They excel in controlling NeoPixels, interfacing with LED matrix displays, or even outputting VGA signals, eliminating CPU load while maintaining precision.

While featuring substantial on-chip RAM, this microcontroller relies on external QSPI NOR Flash for additional storage, allowing tailored memory configurations to suit specific project needs. This nimble, architecture-driven design empowers custom application coding within MicroPython and CircuitPython environments.

Designed for advanced developers proficient in soldering and PCB design, the standalone RP2040 is ideal for cutting-edge hardware innovation and embedded systems exploration.