Raspberry-Pi-Pico-Basic-Kit
Raspberry Pi Pico Basic Kit, MicroPython Programming Learning Kit

Overview

Raspberry Pi Pico is a low-cost, high-performance microcontroller board with flexible digital interfaces. It incorporates Raspberry Pi's own RP2040 microcontroller chip, with a dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor running up to 133 MHz, embedded 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of onboard Flash memory, as well as 26 x multi-function GPIO pins.
For software development, either Raspberry Pi's C/C++ SDK or the MicroPython is available. There are also complete development resources and tutorials to help you get started easily, and integrate it into end products quickly.

Features

RP2040 microcontroller chip designed by Raspberry Pi in the United Kingdom.
Dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor, the flexible clock running up to 133 MHz.
264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of onboard Flash memory.
Castellated module allows soldering direct to carrier boards.
USB 1.1 with device and host support.
Low-power sleep and dormant modes.
Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB.
26 × multi-function GPIO pins.
2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels.
Accurate clock and timer on-chip.
Temperature sensor.
Accelerated floating-point libraries on-chip.
8 × Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines for custom peripheral support.

Pinout

Dimension

Software Environment Debugging

In order to facilitate the development of Pico boards using MicroPython on the computer, it is recommended to download Thonny IDE.
Download Thonny IDE and install it in steps.
- Thonny IDE download link (Windows)
- Thonny website
After installing, please configure the language and the environment for the first time. Note that we should choose the Raspberry Pi option in the board environment.

Configure the Micrpython environment and select the Pico port.
- First connect the Raspberry Pi Pico to the computer, left-click on the configuration environment option in the lower right corner of Thonny--> select configure an interpreter.
- In the pop-up window bar, select MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico), and select the corresponding port.

Click OK to return to the main interface of Thonny, download the firmware library to Pico, and then click the stop button to display the currently used environment in the Shell window.
Pico download firmware library method in Windows: Press and hold the BOOT button and connect to the computer, release the BOOT button, a removable disk will appear on the computer, and copy the firmware library into it.
How to download the firmware library for RP2040 in Windows: After connecting to the computer, press the BOOT key and the RESET key at the same time, release the RESET key and then release the BOOT key, a removable disk will appear on the computer.
Copy the firmware library into it (you can also use Pico).

Details of the Start Kit

Raspberry Pi Pico with pre-soldered header x1
Breadboard x1
1*3PIN yellow pin header x1
USB-A to micro-B cable x1
PIR sensor x2
Breadboard wires x1
Single-joint potentiometer x1
8-Bit WS2812 RGB LED x1
Round button x3
Alarm x1
330R resistor x10
5mm LED x6
LCD1602 RGB Module x1
Jumper wire female-female 10PIN x1
Jumper wire male-female 10PIN x1
Plastic storage box x1

Raspberry Pico

Raspberry Pi Pico is a low-cost, high-performance microcontroller board with flexible digital interfaces. It incorporates Raspberry Pi's own RP2040 microcontroller chip, with a dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor running up to 133 MHz, embedded 264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of onboard Flash memory, as well as 26x multi-function GPIO pins.
For software development, either Raspberry Pi's C/C++ SDK or the MicroPython is available. There are also complete development resources and tutorials to help you get started easily, and integrate it into end products quickly.

Features

RP2040 microcontroller chip designed by Raspberry Pi in the United Kingdom.
Dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor, the flexible clock running up to 133 MHz.
264KB of SRAM, and 2MB of onboard Flash memory.
Castellated module allows soldering direct to carrier boards.
USB 1.1 with device and host support.
Low-power sleep and dormant modes.
Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB.
26 × multi-function GPIO pins.
2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 3 × 12-bit ADC, and 16 × controllable PWM channels.
Accurate clock and timer on-chip.
Temperature sensor.
Accelerated floating-point libraries on-chip.
8 × Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines for custom peripheral support.

Pinout

LCD1602 RGB Module

Features

Incorporates character LCD panel LCD1602.
Adjustable RGB backlight color, up to 16M (2563) backlight colors in theory.
Can display up to 16 X 2 characters, support screen scrolling, cursor movement, and other functions.
Onboard AiP31068L LCD driver chip, PCA9633 RGB control chip.
I2C control interface, only two signal pins are required, saving the IO resource.
Compatible with 3.3V/5V operating voltage.
Comes with online development resources and manual (Raspberry Pi/Jetson Nano/Arduino examples).

Specification

Operating voltage: 3.3V/5V
Interface: I2C
LCD type: character LCD
Controller: AiP31068L PCA9633DP2
Display 64.5 x 16.0 mm
Dimension: 87.0 × 32.0 × 13.0mm
Operating current: 26mA (5V), 13mA (3.3V)

Pinout

PIN	Description
VCC	3.3V/5V
GND	GND
SDA	I2C data line
SCL	I2C clock line

Working Protocol

Software Setup

Please follow the guides of Raspberry Pi to install and set up Pico for the Pico.

For easy use, we recommend you use the Thonny tool.

Thonny website
Please set the Thonny development environment to be RaspberryPi when setting.

Configure the Micrpython environment and select the Pico port.
- First, connect the Raspberry Pi Pico to your computer, left click on the Configure environment option in the lower right corner of the Thonny --> Select Configure interpreter.
- In the pop-up window, select MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico), and select the corresponding port.

Click OK and then back to Thonny, download the firmware library to the Pico. Then click Stop, and you can see the current environment in the Shell window.
How to download the firmware library for Pico in Windows: Press and hold the BOOT key and connect to the computer, then release the BOOT key, a removable disk will appear on the computer, and copy the firmware library into it.
How to download firmware library for RP2040 in Windows: After connecting to the computer, press the BOOT key and RESET key at the same time, release the RESET key, and then release the BOOT key, a removable disk will appear on the computer.

Copy the firmware library into it (you can also use the Pico method).

Examples

Download Demo Codes to your Raspberry Pi and test.

External LED Example

Connect the boards as in the picture below. Connect the Pico to Raspberry Pi or PC. Open the Lesson-5 External LED example with Thonny. Run the example, and you will find that the red LED is flashing.

Codes:

led_external = machine.Pin(15, machine.Pin.OUT) #Set GP15 to output Mode
while True: 
   led_external.toggle() #Toggle the LED every 5 seconds.
   utime.sleep(5)

Traffic Light System Examples

Connect the boards as in the picture below. Connect the Pico to Raspberry Pi or PC. Open the Lesson-9 Traffic-Light-System example by Thonny, run the codes and test the traffic light, the buzzer sounds when you press the button.

Codes

def button_reader_thread():  #Check if the button is pressed
   global button_pressed 
   while True:
       if button.value() == 1: 
           button_pressed = True
           
_thread.start_new_thread(button_reader_thread, ()) #Start a new thread to monitor the stats of button
while True:
   if button_pressed == True: #If the button is pressed, turn on the LED and let the buzzer work.
       led_red.value(1) 
       for i in range(10): 
           buzzer.value(1) 
           utime.sleep(0.2) 
           buzzer.value(0) 
           utime.sleep(0.2) 
       global button_pressed 
       button_pressed = False 
   led_red.value(1)  
   utime.sleep(5)     
   led_amber.value(1) 
   utime.sleep(2) 
   led_red.value(0) 
   led_amber.value(0) 
   led_green.value(1) 
   utime.sleep(5) 
   led_green.value(0) 
   led_amber.value(1) 
   utime.sleep(5) 
   led_amber.value(0)

Burglar Alarm LED Buzzer Examples

Connect the boards as in the picture below. Connect the Pico to Raspberry Pi or PC. Open the Lesson-14 Burglar Alarm LED Buzzer examples by Thonny. The LED lights on if an object is moving around the Passive infrared sensor and the buzzer will indicate.

Codes

def pir_handler(pin):  #Interrupt process function
   print("ALARM! Motion detected!") 
   for i in range(50): 
       led.toggle() 
       buzzer.toggle() 
       utime.sleep_ms(100)
sensor_pir.irq(trigger=machine.Pin.IRQ_RISING, handler=pir_handler)#Enable the Interrupt, the interrupt function is called when motions is detected.
while True:  #Toggle LED every 5s
   led.toggle() 
   utime.sleep(5)

Potentiometer Example

Connect the boards as in the picture below. Connect the Pico to Raspberry Pi or PC. Open the Lesson-16 Potentiometer example by Thonny, you can adjust the potentiometer and check if the voltage printed to the Sheel window are changing as well.

Codes

potentiometer = machine.ADC(26) #Set the GP26 pin as analog input
conversion_factor = 3.3 / (65535)
while True:
   voltage = potentiometer.read_u16() * conversion_factor #Convert the sampled data to voltage value
   print(voltage) #Print the voltage data, it chanaged according to the sliding rheostat.
   utime.sleep(2)

WS2812 Example

Connect the boards as in the picture below. Connect the Pico to Raspberry Pi or PC. Open the WS2812_RGB_LED.py file of Lesson-25 WS2812 example by Thonny, the LEDs light in Blue, Red, Green, and White.

Code

#This code uses the state machine mechanism. The following code is a decorator where we can initialize the hardware, set the pin level, etc.
#label("bitloop") We can define some tags in our code so that we can jump to them.
#jmp(not_x,"do_zero") If x=0, we jumpt to do_zero.
#nop() .set(0) [T2 - 1] The code jumpt to here if x = 0.
@asm_pio(sideset_init=PIO.OUT_LOW, out_shiftdir=PIO.SHIFT_LEFT, autopull=True, pull_thresh=24)
def ws2812():
   T1 = 2
   T2 = 5
   T3 = 1
   label("bitloop")
   out(x, 1)               .side(0)    [T3 - 1] 
   jmp(not_x, "do_zero")   .side(1)    [T1 - 1] 
   jmp("bitloop")          .side(1)    [T2 - 1] 
   label("do_zero")
   nop()                   .side(0)    [T2 - 1]

# Create the StateMachine with the ws2812 program, outputting on Pin(22).
sm = StateMachine(0, ws2812, freq=8000000, sideset_base=Pin(0)) #Create the stats machine
# Start the StateMachine, it will wait for data on its FIFO.
sm.active(1) #Start the stats machine
# Display a pattern on the LEDs via an array of LED RGB values.
ar = array.array("I", [0 for _ in range(NUM_LEDS)])
print(ar)
print("blue")
for j in range(0, 255): 
   for i in range(NUM_LEDS): 
       ar[i] = j 
   sm.put(ar,8)  #put() is put the data to output FIFO of the stats machine
   time.sleep_ms(5)

LCD1602 I2C Example

Connect the boards as in the picture below. Connect the Pico to Raspberry Pi or PC. Open the Lesson-21 LCD1602 I2C example by Thonny, you need to first save the RGB1602.py to Pico and then run the Choose_Color.py file. The LCD will change color every 5s. If you run the Discoloratio.py file, the LED displays RGB colors.

Codes

Choose_Color.py

#Define colors
rgb9 = (0,255,0) #green
lcd.setCursor(0, 0) #Set the position of cursor
# print the number of seconds since reset:
lcd.printout("Waveshare") #Print the string
lcd.setCursor(0, 1) #Move the cursor to second row.
lcd.printout("Hello,World!")#Print the string
lcd.setRGB(rgb1[0],rgb1[1],rgb1[2]); #Set the back light

Discoloration.py

t=0
while True:
 
   r = int((abs(math.sin(3.14*t/180)))*255);  #RGB changes as time goes
   g = int((abs(math.sin(3.14*(t+60)/180)))*255);
   b = int((abs(math.sin(3.14*(t+120)/180)))*255);
   t = t + 3;
   lcd.setRGB(r,g,b);#Set the RGB data again.
# set the cursor to column 0, line 1
   lcd.setCursor(0, 0) #Set the curson to the first row.
# print the number of seconds since reset:
   lcd.printout("Waveshare")#Print the string
   lcd.setCursor(0, 1) #Set the cursor to second row
   lcd.printout("Hello,World!")#Print the string
   time.sleep(0.3)

Pico Getting Started

Firmware Download

MicroPython Firmware Download

C_Blink Firmware Download

Introduction

Raspberry Pi Pico Basics

MicroPython Series

Install Thonny IDE

In order to facilitate the development of Pico/Pico2 boards using MicroPython on a computer, it is recommended to download the Thonny IDE

Download Thonny IDE and follow the steps to install, the installation packages are all Windows versions, please refer to Thonny's official website for other versions
After installation, the language and motherboard environment need to be configured for the first use. Since we are using Pico/Pico2, pay attention to selecting the Raspberry Pi option for the motherboard environment

Configure MicroPython environment and choose Pico/Pico2 port
- Connect Pico/Pico2 to your computer first, and in the lower right corner of Thonny left-click on the configuration environment option --> select Configture interpreter
- In the pop-up window, select MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico), and choose the corresponding port

Flash Firmware

Click OK to return to the Thonny main interface, download the corresponding firmware library and burn it to the device, and then click the Stop button to display the current environment in the Shell window
Note: Flashing the Pico2 firmware provided by Micropython may cause the device to be unrecognized, please use the firmware below or in the package
- Pico firmware library
- Pico2 firmware library
How to download the firmware library for Pico/Pico2 in windows: After holding down the BOOT button and connecting to the computer, release the BOOT button, a removable disk will appear on the computer, copy the firmware library into it
How to download the firmware library for RP2040/RP2350 in windows: After connecting to the computer, press the BOOT key and the RESET key at the same time, release the RESET key first and then release the BOOT key, a removable disk will appear on the computer, copy the firmware library into it (you can also use the Pico/Pico2 method)

MicroPython Series

【MicroPython】 machine.Pin class function details
【MicroPython】machine.PWM class function details
【MicroPython】machine.ADC class function details
【MicroPython】machine.UART class function details
【MicroPython】machine.I2C class function details
【MicroPython】machine.SPI class function details
【MicroPython】rp2.StateMachine class function details

C/C++ Series

For C/C++, it is recommended to use Pico VS Code for development. This is a Microsoft Visual Studio Code extension designed to make it easier for you to create, develop, and debug projects for the Raspberry Pi Pico series development boards. No matter if you are a beginner or an experienced professional, this tool can assist you in developing Pico with confidence and ease. Here's how to install and use the extension.

Official website tutorial: https://www.raspberrypi.com/news/pico-vscode-extension/
This tutorial is suitable for Raspberry Pi Pico, Pico2 and the RP2040 and RP2350 series development boards developed by Waveshare
The development environment defaults to Windows. For other environments, please refer to the official tutorial for installation

Install VSCode

First, click to download pico-vscode package, unzip and open the package, double-click to install VSCode

Note: If vscode is installed, check if the version is v1.87.0 or later

Install Extension

Click Extensions and select Install from VSIX
Select the package with the vsix suffix and click Install
Then vscode will automatically install raspberry-pi-pico and its dependency extensions, you can click Refresh to check the installation progress
The text in the right lower corner shows that the installation is complete. Close VSCode

Configure Extension

Open directory C:\Users\username and copy the entire .pico-sdk to that directory
The Copy is completed

Open vscode and configure the paths for the Raspberry Pi Pico extensions

The configuration is as follows:

Cmake Path:
${HOME}/.pico-sdk/cmake/v3.28.6/bin/cmake.exe

Git Path:
${HOME}/.pico-sdk/git/cmd/git.exe    

Ninja Path:
${HOME}/.pico-sdk/ninja/v1.12.1/ninja.exe

Python3 Path:
${HOME}/.pico-sdk/python/3.12.1/python.exe

New Project

The configuration is complete, create a new project, enter the project name, select the path, and click Create to create the project
To test the official example, you can click on the Example next to the project name to select
The project is created successfully
Select the SDK version
Select Yes for advanced configuration
Choose the cross-compilation chain, 13.2.Rel1 is applicable for ARM cores, RISCV.13.3 is applicable for RISCV cores. You can select either based on your requirements
Select default for CMake version (the path configured earlier)
Select default for Ninjaversion
Select the development board
Click Complie to compile
The uf2 format file is successfully compiled

Import Project

The Cmake file of the imported project cannot have Chinese (including comments), otherwise the import may fail
To import your own project, you need to add a line of code to the Cmake file to switch between pico and pico2 normally, otherwise even if pico2 is selected, the compiled firmware will still be suitable for pico
set(PICO_BOARD pico CACHE STRING "Board type")

Update Extension

The extension version in the offline package is 0.15.2, and you can also choose to update to the latest version after the installation is complete

Arduino IDE Series

Install Arduino IDE

First, go to Arduino official website to download the installation package of the Arduino IDE.
Here, you can select Just Download.
Once the download is complete, click Install.

Notice: During the installation process, it will prompt you to install the driver, just click Install
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Arduino IDE Interface

After the first installation, when you open the Arduino IDE, it will be in English. You can switch to other languages in File --> Preferences, or continue using the English interface.
In the Language field, select the language you want to switch to, and click OK.

Install Arduino-Pico Core in the Arduino IDE

Open the Arduino IDE, click on the file in the top left corner, and select Preferences

Add the following link to the attached board manager URL, and then click OK

https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/4.0.2/package_rp2040_index.json

Note: If you already have an ESP32 board URL, you can use a comma to separate the URLs as follows:

https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json,https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/4.0.2/package_rp2040_index.json

Click Tools > Development Board > Board Manager > Search pico, as my computer has already been installed, it shows that it is installed

Upload Demo at the First Time

Press and hold the BOOTSET button on the Pico board, connect the pico to the USB port of the computer via the Micro USB cable, and release the button after the computer recognizes a removable hard disk (RPI-RP2).
Download the program and open D1-LED.ino under the arduino\PWM\D1-LED path
Click Tools --> Port, remember the existing COM, do not click this COM (the COM displayed is different on different computers, remember the COM on your own computer)
Connect the driver board to the computer using a USB cable. Then, go to Tools > Port. For the first connection, select uf2 Board. After uploading, when you connect again, an additional COM port will appear
Click Tools > Development Board > Raspberry Pi Pico > Raspberry Pi Pico or Raspberry Pi Pico 2
After setting it up, click the right arrow to upload the program

If issues arise during this period, and if you need to reinstall or update the Arduino IDE version, it is necessary to uninstall the Arduino IDE completely. After uninstalling the software, you need to manually delete all contents within the C:\Users\[name]\AppData\Local\Arduino15 folder (you need to show hidden files to see this folder). Then, proceed with a fresh installation.

Open Source Demos

MircoPython video demo (github)
MicroPython firmware/Blink demos (C)
Raspberry Pi official C/C++ demo (github)
Raspberry Pi official micropython demo (github)
Arduino official C/C++ demo (github)

Resources

Demos

Official Document

Pico W

Firmware

Pico W MicroPython Firmware

Pico

User Manual

Schematic & Datasheet

Related Books

Raspberry Pi Open-source Demo

Development Software

Demo Codes

Support

Technical Support

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