Alternative to Raspberry Pi Pico 2: iLabs Electronics’ CPico RP2350 Microcontroller Board

An alternative to the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 has entered the market. iLabs Electronics has introduced its version of the RP2350-powered development board, the CPico RP2350, which maintains the same form factor as the original Raspberry Pi Pico. One of the primary reasons for ensuring full pin compatibility with the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is to allow users to seamlessly integrate with existing accessories and peripherals.

Equipped with an RP2350 microcontroller, the CPico development board features a dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 processor operating at 150 MHz, alongside a pair of open-hardware Hazard3 RISC-V cores. The dual-architecture compatibility of RP2350 allows for flexibility in software selection or programming through the on-chip OTP memory. This architecture switching enables users to dynamically alternate between the two processor cores during the boot process.

Difference between CPico RP2350 and Raspberry Pi Pico 2

Why buy CPico RP2350?

After examining the distinct differences between the CPico RP2350 and the Raspberry Pi Pico 2, several key specifications warrant consideration before making a purchase. A notable advantage of the CPico RP2350 is its increased flash memory and RAM, which enables it to handle more complex programs and improve real-time data processing capabilities.

Although both microcontroller boards feature the same system-on-chip (SoC), another important aspect to note is the advanced debugging functionality of the CPico RP2350. The iLabs Electronics board incorporates BConnect debug ports, facilitating non-intrusive debugging without utilizing GPIOs. This is particularly beneficial for developers seeking enhanced debugging features.

If your needs are more basic and budget-friendly, the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 is available for only $5, making it suitable for simple IoT projects, LED controllers, and fundamental automation tasks. However, for those requiring additional RAM and superior debugging capabilities, the CPico RP2350, priced at approximately $8, would be the more advantageous choice.

Please follow and like us: