In the dynamic world of microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi once again set milestones by introducing the innovative RP2350. It is a high-performance, secure microcontroller designed in-house at Raspberry Pi and a product of extensive collaboration and partnerships with top industry leaders. In late 2023, the RP2350 began its journey with an ambitious Access Program, which brought together a diverse array of hardware and software companies, many of which have shaped this advanced microcontroller’s landscape.
The Early Access Program
Raspberry Pi introduced the Early Access Program to share the prototype silicon and software with the selected companies. This initiative aimed to collaborate with both existing and future partners. With over 80 hardware and software companies joining the program, we can say the response was pretty overwhelming. The companies collaborated directly on software development, product design, and testing, using the then-yet-released Raspberry Pi Pico 2 as a reference design.
The Launching
Last week, Raspberry Pi, in partnership with its RP2350 collaborators, released 34 new products from 20 companies. This launch made headlines in the microcontroller industry, showcasing the versatility and power of the RP2350. Indeed, these products represent months of hard work and dedication; many exciting developments are yet to come. Several additional products will be expected to ship later in 2024 or 2025, showcasing the continued innovation and development surrounding the RP2350.
Below, we will discuss some of the standout products launched in partnerships with Raspberry Pi,
4D Systems: Advanced Display Solution
The 4D system has introduced the gen4-RP2350 series, which offers a range of high-performance displays to fulfill a variety of needs. These displays are available in sizes ranging from 2.4” to 7.0” with both touch and non-touch options. Designed for versatility and performance, this gen4-RP2350 series leverages the power of the RP2350 that delivers exceptional display and responsiveness.
Adafruit: Expanding Compatibility with Metro & Feather
Adafruit made headlines in the maker community, releasing two RP2350-based products: Metro RP2350 and Feather RP2350. With the Metro RP2350, you can use Arduino-compatible shields and accessories, while the Feather RP2350 brings up the capabilities of the RP2350 feather format. And it also ensures compatibility with a wide range of FeatherWings. Both products signify Adafruit's commitment to expanding the possibilities of RP2350 for makers and developers.
Bus Pirate: Open-Hardware Debugging Tools
Bus Pirate has developed two new RP2350-based products: the Bus Pirate 5XL and Bus Pirate 6. These open hardware debugging tools are designed to assist manufacturers in testing and troubleshooting their projects. Powered by RP2350 at their core, these are robust and flexible debugging solutions, making them indispensable for hardware developers.
Cytron: The Industry Grade Control solutions
The Cytron has introduced two new products: the IRIV I/O Controller and MOTION 2350 Pro. The IRIV I/O Controller is an industry-grade controller explicitly designed to provide reliable and robust performance in demanding environments. On the other hand, the MOTION 2350 Pro is a versatile robot controller that can offer flexible and efficient control for many robotics applications.
Hellbender: A Versatile Development Board
Hellbender’s RP2350 development board is a general-purpose microcontroller and sensor board that can be integrated into any project. By providing developers with the tools needed for innovative applications, this board adds value to the RP2350's ecosystem.
Ignys: Focused on IoT & Sustainability
Ignys introduced an RP2350 development board focusing on power efficiency and sustainability. The board work uses batteries or solar panels, perfect for IoT applications requiring energy-efficient operation.
Invector Labs: The High-Performance Modules
Invector Labs has published two RP2350-based modules: The Challenger+ RP2350 BConnect and Challenger + RP2350 WiFi6/BLE5. Both modules feature 8 MB flash and 8MB of PSRAM, with the WiFi6/BLE5 variant including integrated wireless capabilities.
Melopero: Off-Grid Solutions with Perpetuo LoRa
Melopero’s Perpetuo LoRa was developed for off-grid projects. It can run on compact batteries and power solar panels. This product is beneficial for power sensing and communication applications. With the RP2350 at its core, the Perpetuo LoRa offers users robust performance in a sustainable package.
NewAE: Security Testing with RP2350
By exposing the RP2350’s security features, NewAE’s Target Board allows developers to test against fault injection and power analysis attacks. Indeed, this tool is precious for security researchers and developers looking to ensure the resilience of RP2350-based products.
Pimoroni: The Diverse Offerings for Makers
Pimoroni has introduced a range of RP2350-based products, including Explorer, Tiny2350, Plasma 2350, and PGA 2350. These products satisfy various needs, from electronics playgrounds and minimal breakout boards to all-in-one controllers and miniature developmental boards. Pimoroni’s offerings include a high level of flexibility and versatility of the RP2350 platforms.
Seeed: The Compact & Feature-Rich Development
Seed’s XIAO RP2350 is the smallest RP2350 developmental board available. It offers 19 GPIOs, RGB LED, and an integrated battery management setup. This compact development board is compatible with all the Seed Studio XIAO accessories, making it a small yet robust form factor solution for manufacturers.
Solder Party: Hand-Solderable Modules
Solder Party’s RP2350 Stamp and RP2350 Stamp XL are hand-solderable modules that integrate the RP2350, with 16MB of flash, an LDO, a LiPo charger, an LED, and the Reset and Boot Buttons. These modules offer convenience and flexibility, perfect for developers who want to incorporate the RP2350 into their projects.
The SparkFun: Compact and Powerful Development Platform
Sparkfun has Introduced the Pro Micro - RP2350, a powerful developmental platform in the popular Pro Micro Format. With this board, the developers can easily construct RP2350-based projects on the familiar and compact platform, making it an ideal choice for applications requiring little space.
Final Say
The launch of the RP2350 has started a new chapter in the world of microcontroller systems. By introducing a diverse range of products from industry dealers, the RP2350 ecosystem aims to drive innovation across various sectors, whether industrial control, IoT, creative audio, or wearable technologies. As more products are yet to come and develop around the RP2350, the possibilities with this innovative and powerful microcontroller are endless. In short, through its partnership, Raspberry has laid the foundation for the RP2350 to become the cornerstone for highly secure, innovative, and high-performing microcontrollers.
