Ultimate Pico RP2040 128Mbit 16MB Microcontroller Development Board

Ultimate Pico RP2040 128Mbit 16MB Microcontroller Development BoardThis high-performance Ultimate Pico RP2040 128Mbit 16MB Microcontroller Development Board is a powerful upgrade to the standard Pico, featuring a massive 16MB (128Mbit) of QSPI flash memory. Furthermore, it is built around the Raspberry Pi RP2040 silicon, which provides a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor capable of running up to 133MHz. Consequently, this board is ideal for memory-intensive applications such as complex UI graphics, large data logging, or hosting micro-web servers. Therefore, developers can utilize the familiar Raspberry Pi ecosystem while benefiting from significantly expanded storage capacity. However, users should ensure they select the correct board definition in their IDE to take full advantage of the extended 16MB flash. Additionally, the inclusion of a modern USB-C connector ensures robust power delivery and easy connectivity with modern hardware. Ultimately, this purple-edition development board offers a premium, versatile platform for both professional engineers and advanced hobbyists.

Key Features

• Expanded Storage: Equipped with a Winbond 128Mbit (16MB) QSPI Flash chip, providing 8 times the memory of the original Pico.
• Dual-Core Processing: Powered by the RP2040 chip featuring two ARM Cortex-M0+ cores for efficient multitasking.
• USB-C Connectivity: Features a reversible USB Type-C port for reliable programming, data transfer, and power.
• Flexible I/O: Breaks out 26 multi-function GPIO pins, consequently supporting a wide array of digital and analog peripherals.
• Drag-and-Drop Programming: Supports standard UF2 bootloading, allowing the board to appear as a USB mass storage device.
• Low Power Consumption: Includes high-efficiency power management suitable for battery-powered IoT applications.

Technical Specifications

• Processor: Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ @ 133MHz
• On-chip SRAM: 264KB of internal RAM
• External Flash: 16MB (128Mbit) via QSPI interface
• Operating Voltage: 1.8V to 5.5V DC
• GPIO Count: 26 pins (3.3V logic)
• Analog Inputs: 3 x 12-bit ADCs
• Peripherals: 2 × UART, 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 16 × PWM channels
• Programmable I/O (PIO): 2 × PIO blocks for custom high-speed hardware emulation

Mechanical Specifications

• PCB Color: Professional Purple Solder Mask
• USB Connector: USB Type-C (Female)
• Button: Onboard BOOTSEL button for easy firmware flashing
• Form Factor: Breadboard-compatible “DIP” style design
• Mounting: Castellated holes allow for direct soldering to carrier boards

Dimensions

• Board Length: ≈ 51.0 mm
• Board Width: ≈ 21.0 mm
• PCB Thickness: 1.0 mm

Pinout and Wiring

• VBUS: 5V Input from USB-C port
• VSYS: Main system input voltage (1.8V to 5.5V)
• 3V3: Regulated 3.3V output for external sensors
• GND: Multiple common ground points
• GPIO 0-28: General purpose input/output pins with various shared functions (SPI, I2C, UART)

Datasheet Reference: Download Datasheet

RP2040 Microcontroller Datasheet

Commonly Used in

• Custom Mechanical Keyboards
• Handheld Gaming Emulators
• Advanced IoT Gateways
• Robotic Control Systems
• Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Projects

Applications

• Developers use the 16MB flash to store high-resolution assets for touchscreen displays in embedded devices.
• It functions as a standalone data logger capable of saving months of sensor data without an SD card.
• Consequently, it is frequently used in CircuitPython projects where large library files require extra storage space.
• Furthermore, engineers employ the PIO blocks to emulate complex protocols like VGA or SD card interfaces.
• Ultimately, it serves as an excellent prototyping platform for new cellular or Wi-Fi-based IoT products.

Equivalent Models

• Raspberry Pi Pico: The original version with 2MB of flash.
• Waveshare RP2040-Plus: A similar board with expanded memory options and USB-C.
• Adafruit Feather RP2040: A different form factor featuring the same dual-core chip.

Package Includes

• 1 x Ultimate Pico RP2040 128Mbit 16MB Microcontroller Board
• 2 x 20-Pin Male Header Strips (Yellow)
• 1 x 4-Pin Debug Header (Black)