The recent news about running Linux on the RISC-V cores of the Raspberry Pi Pico 2's RP2350 microcontroller has sparked interest in the maker community. While this development is certainly exciting, it has also raised questions about the practical applications of such a setup, particularly when it comes to connectivity options.
One of the key topics emerging from the community discussion is the availability of platforms that include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities alongside the RP2350 chip. This interest highlights a crucial aspect of modern embedded systems development: the need for wireless connectivity in IoT and other networked projects.
The original Raspberry Pi Pico 2, while powerful in its own right, does not come with built-in wireless capabilities. This limitation has led makers and developers to seek out alternative boards or expansion options that can provide these features while still leveraging the RP2350's capabilities.
Some potential options for those looking to add wireless functionality to their RP2350-based projects include:
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Expansion boards : Custom or third-party expansion boards that add Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules to the Pico 2.
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Alternative RP2350 boards : Some manufacturers may release boards based on the RP2350 that include integrated wireless chips.
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External wireless modules : Using separate Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules connected via UART or SPI interfaces.
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Pimoroni Pico W 2 : While not explicitly mentioned in the original article, the Pimoroni Pico W 2 could potentially offer a solution, as its predecessor (based on the RP2040) included Wi-Fi capabilities.
It's worth noting that adding wireless functionality to the RP2350 setup running Linux would require additional software configuration and driver support. This could present challenges, especially given the current limitations of the Linux implementation on this platform, such as UART functionality issues.
As the community continues to experiment with the RP2350 and its capabilities, we may see more integrated solutions emerge that combine the power of the RISC-V cores with robust wireless connectivity options. This would open up new possibilities for IoT projects, remote sensing applications, and other networked embedded systems.
For now, developers interested in combining the RP2350's processing power with wireless capabilities may need to explore custom solutions or wait for more integrated offerings to hit the market. The demand for such platforms is clear, and it's likely that manufacturers will respond to this need in the coming months.
As always, the maker community's ingenuity and collaborative spirit will undoubtedly lead to innovative solutions and workarounds, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with these powerful microcontrollers.
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| A close-up of the RP2350 microcontroller, highlighting its technological significance in modern embedded systems |