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Getting Started with the RP2040 and the Arduino IDE

Updated

This Getting Started with the RP2040 and the Arduino IDE guide aims to guide you on how to set up the RP2040 microcontroller with the Arduino IDE.

RP2040-based microcontrollers such as Raspberry Pi Pico and RP2040 Core Board are supported. 

Requirements

  • PC with Arduino IDE (2.3.2) installed
  • RP2040 Core Board/Raspberry Pi Pico Microcontroller
  • USB Type A to USB Type C (For Programming)

Step 2: Install The RP2040 Boards on Arduino IDE 2.x

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If you already have other URLs added, simply add a comma after the last URL and paste this URL as shown below by the orange arrow. Click Ok and you will now notice that the board data will start to download.

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 Next, we will install the boards. To do this, navigate to the board manager icon highlighted by the red square [1]. Clicking it will open the board manager search bar. In the search bar highlighted by the yellow arrow [2] type in ‘RP2040‘. 

The board list will show, click on the Install button highlighted by the orange rectangle [3]. The boards will now install and the progress can be monitored in the output bar. 

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Step 3: Verify and Test Board Install

After installing the board, we will test the installation, firstly check that the boards have been included in the board manager board list as shown below.

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After checking, copy and paste the code below to test the board with an LED blink sketch by blinking the built-in LED.  This LED is located on Pin 25.

int pin = 25;
void setup() {
 // initialize GPIO 25 as the LED output.
  pinMode(pin, OUTPUT);
}
// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(pin, HIGH);   // turn the LED on
  delay(1000);               // wait for 1 second
  digitalWrite(pin, LOW);    // turn the LED off
  delay(1000);               // wait for 1 second
}

Connect your RP2040 and select the board as VCC-GND YD RP2040. You will need to press and hold the Boot button [1] and press the RST [2] button for 1 second, while still pressing the Boot Button. Release the boot button approximately 1-2 seconds after pressing the Boot button. 

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After this, navigate to Tools and select the Port as UF2_Board. Click the Upload button.

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After uploading the code, you will notice the Built-in blue LED Blinking once every second.

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Credits

  • Maker Community
  • The RP2040 Community
  • The STEM Community
  • Earl F. Pilhower, III
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