Stories with Tag RP2350

• Raspberry Pi RP2350 Now Available for Purchase, Stacked Memory Variant Coming

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  Posted: 2025-03-17 13:11:33

  Verbose tl;dr

  The Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller is now available as a standalone chip, the RP2350, allowing manufacturers to integrate it into their own designs. This dual-core Cortex-M0+ processor with 264KB of SRAM is offered in two package variants: a QFN-56 and a future LGA package with stacked external flash memory. The QFN-56 is available for immediate purchase, offering a cost-effective solution for diverse embedded applications. The stacked memory variant promises simplified design and reduced board space, though pricing and availability for that package are yet to be announced.

  The Raspberry Pi Foundation has officially launched the RP2350 microcontroller, a pivotal component in their broader strategy to expand beyond single-board computers and delve deeper into the microcontroller unit (MCU) market. This newly available chip, detailed extensively in a Phoronix article, marks a significant step for the Foundation as it's their first foray into designing a microcontroller in-house. Previously, they relied on third-party microcontrollers for products like the Raspberry Pi Pico. The RP2350, manufactured using a 40nm process, distinguishes itself with a dual-core Arm Cortex-M33 processor clocked at 133MHz, offering substantial processing power for embedded applications. Importantly, this processor incorporates the Armv8-M architecture, bringing with it TrustZone security features for enhanced device protection and secure boot capabilities.

  Beyond the processing power, the RP2350 comes equipped with a flexible memory configuration. The currently available version features 264KB of tightly coupled memory (TCM), which provides low-latency access for critical code and data. However, the article reveals that a future variant is planned with 4MB of stacked external flash memory integrated directly onto the chip package. This forthcoming option will significantly expand the storage capacity for more complex applications and data-intensive operations, catering to a wider range of embedded projects.

  The release of the RP2350 aims to cater to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other businesses seeking to integrate the chip into their own products. While not explicitly designed for the hobbyist market like some other Raspberry Pi offerings, the chip’s availability opens up new possibilities for customized embedded solutions across various industries. The article underscores the strategic significance of this release for the Raspberry Pi Foundation, marking their evolution beyond the single-board computer domain and solidifying their presence within the growing microcontroller market. The dual-core architecture, robust security features, and upcoming memory options position the RP2350 as a versatile and powerful solution for a broad spectrum of embedded applications.

  • Raspberry Pi
  • RP2350
  • Microcontroller
  • Arm
  • Cortex-M8
  • Embedded Systems
  • Single-Board Computer
  • SBC
  • Hardware
  • Electronics
  • Availability
  • Purchase
  • Stacked Memory

  Summary of Comments ( 16 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43388221

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally expressed excitement about the RP2350's availability and potential, particularly its low cost and the possibilities opened by the stacked memory variant. Several commenters discussed the chip's suitability for specific applications, including robotics, industrial control, and amateur radio. Some expressed skepticism about the real-world performance impact of the stacked memory, wanting to see benchmarks. Others debated the merits of the RP2350 compared to other microcontrollers like the ESP32, highlighting trade-offs in processing power, memory, and peripheral options. A few users also mentioned challenges they've faced with Raspberry Pi availability in the past, hoping this release would be smoother.

  The Hacker News comments section for the post "Raspberry Pi RP2350 Now Available for Purchase, Stacked Memory Variant Coming" contains several interesting discussions. Many commenters focus on the potential applications and implications of this new chip.

  Several users express excitement about the RP2350's potential for embedded systems, particularly in industrial control and robotics. They highlight the chip's real-time capabilities and its ability to handle demanding tasks. Some anticipate it being a strong contender against existing industrial microcontrollers. The relatively low cost compared to other industrial-grade solutions is mentioned repeatedly as a major advantage.

  A significant thread discusses the stacked memory variant and its benefits. Commenters anticipate that this will simplify designs and reduce board space, making it even more attractive for compact embedded systems. Some speculate about potential performance improvements from having the memory closer to the processor.

  Another thread explores the availability and pricing of the RP2350. Some users express concern about potential supply chain issues, drawing parallels with the difficulties encountered with other Raspberry Pi products. Others discuss the different purchasing options and the potential markups from resellers.

  A few comments delve into the technical specifications of the RP2350, comparing it to other microcontrollers and discussing the implications of its architecture. There's some discussion of the development tools available for the RP2350 and how easy it will be to integrate into existing projects.

  Several commenters share their own project ideas and potential use cases for the RP2350, ranging from simple control systems to more complex robotic applications. This demonstrates the enthusiasm and creative potential within the community surrounding this new chip.

  Finally, some users comment on the wider implications of the RP2350 for the microcontroller market. Some speculate that it could disrupt the existing landscape and put pressure on established players to lower their prices. Others predict a surge in innovation and new applications as developers explore the possibilities of this new platform.

• Rust on the RP2350 (2024)

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  Posted: 2025-03-16 12:42:02

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  The blog post details the author's experience porting Rust to the RockPro64 (RP2350) single-board computer. They successfully brought up a minimal Rust environment, including core libraries, allowing basic "Hello, world!" functionality and interaction with GPIO pins. The process involved building a custom cross-compilation toolchain based on a pre-built Debian image, navigating architectural differences like the lack of an MMU, and implementing necessary drivers. While challenging, this achievement lays the groundwork for more complex Rust development on the RP2350, potentially opening doors for embedded systems applications.

  James Munns, author of the blog "thejpster," details his experience porting Rust to the RP2040 microcontroller's successor, the RP2350. He begins by highlighting the significant architectural differences between the two chips. While the RP2040 utilized a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ architecture, the RP2350 boasts a single, more powerful ARM Cortex-M33 core. This shift necessitates a re-evaluation and adaptation of existing Rust development tools and libraries designed for the RP2040.

  Munns then dives into the specific challenges encountered during the porting process. A key hurdle involved adapting the rp2040-hal hardware abstraction layer (HAL), a crucial component for interacting with the microcontroller's peripherals. Due to the architectural differences, a direct port was impossible. He explains the intricate process of modifying the HAL, including working with SVD files (System View Description) which describe the peripherals of the RP2350. This required careful examination and adaptation of register definitions and peripheral configurations to match the new chip’s specifications.

  He recounts the steps taken to configure the chip's clock system, a fundamental aspect of microcontroller operation. This included setting up the appropriate clock frequencies for various peripherals and ensuring system stability. Furthermore, he describes configuring the UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) for serial communication, a crucial step for debugging and interacting with the microcontroller. This involved setting baud rates and other communication parameters specific to the RP2350’s UART implementation.

  A significant accomplishment highlighted by Munns is successfully blinking an LED, a canonical introductory exercise in embedded systems programming. This signifies a foundational level of control over the RP2350 using Rust. He elucidates the process of configuring the GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) pins to control the LED, demonstrating basic peripheral interaction.

  Finally, he concludes by acknowledging that the port is still in its nascent stages. While basic functionality, such as LED control and UART communication, is operational, significant work remains to bring the Rust ecosystem for the RP2350 to parity with that of the RP2040. He emphasizes the need for further development and community involvement in building out a robust and feature-rich HAL and supporting libraries. He expresses optimism about the future of Rust development on the RP2350, foreseeing its potential to unlock the chip’s enhanced capabilities for a wide range of embedded applications.

  • Rust
  • RP2350
  • RISC-V
  • Embedded Systems
  • programming
  • Microcontrollers
  • Bare Metal
  • Real Time
  • Cross Compilation
  • Low Level Programming
  • 2024

  Summary of Comments ( 34 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43378571

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters generally express enthusiasm for Rust's increasing viability on embedded platforms, particularly the RP2040. Several users discuss the benefits of Rust's memory safety and performance in this context, comparing it favorably to C/C++. Some point out the challenges of working with Rust on resource-constrained devices, like managing memory allocation and dealing with abstractions that can add overhead. A few commenters also mention specific crates like rp-pico and embassy, highlighting their usefulness for embedded Rust development on the RP2040. There's also discussion around build times, tooling, and the learning curve associated with Rust, with some suggesting that the ecosystem is still maturing but rapidly improving. Finally, some users share their own experiences and projects using Rust on embedded systems.

  The Hacker News post "Rust on the RP2350 (2024)" has generated a modest discussion with a few interesting points.

  Several commenters focus on the practicalities and limitations of using Rust on a microcontroller like the RP2350. One commenter questions the practicality of using Rust given the limited flash memory available on these devices, highlighting that even a "hello world" program in Rust can consume a significant portion of the available space. This concern is echoed by another user who expresses skepticism about fitting more complex logic within the microcontroller's constraints while using Rust. The original poster (OP) responds to this concern, explaining their usage of min-sized-rust, a project aimed at reducing the binary size of Rust programs, enabling them to fit within the limited flash memory.

  There's also a discussion around the choice of programming language for embedded systems. One commenter mentions their successful experience using C with the RP2040 and inquires about any advantages offered by Rust in this context. The OP clarifies they aren't advocating for Rust as the sole solution but are exploring it due to its memory safety features, which they value for writing more reliable code.

  One commenter shifts the discussion towards the build process, expressing frustration with CMake and highlighting their preference for the Meson build system due to its perceived ease of use, especially for cross-compilation.

  Finally, a brief exchange touches upon the challenges of debugging Rust code on embedded systems. One user recommends using probe-run, while acknowledging its occasional instability.

  The discussion, while not extensive, provides valuable insights into the challenges and tradeoffs involved in using Rust for embedded development on resource-constrained microcontrollers like the RP2350. The comments cover topics like binary size, memory safety, build systems, and debugging, reflecting practical considerations faced by developers in this space.