📋 Overview
The RP2040 Development Board is a compact, low-cost microcontroller board built around the Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip — the same chip used in the official Raspberry Pi Pico. It combines a dual-core processor, generous 16MB of flash storage, modern USB-C connectivity, and an onboard addressable RGB LED, all on a breadboard-friendly board that follows the same pin layout and form factor as the original Raspberry Pi Pico.
Please note: this board is a Raspberry Pi Pico-compatible board manufactured by a third party — it is not an official Raspberry Pi Foundation product. It uses the genuine RP2040 chip and is fully compatible with Pico software, tutorials, and accessories, but with some worthwhile upgrades:
- USB-C instead of micro-USB
- 16MB of flash instead of the standard 2MB
- A built-in RGB LED for visual feedback
⭐ Key Features
- Dual-Core Processing — RP2040 chip with two ARM Cortex-M0+ cores running at up to 133MHz
- 16MB Flash Memory — 8x more onboard storage than a standard Raspberry Pi Pico
- 264KB SRAM — plenty of working memory for more complex programs
- USB-C Connector — reversible, modern connector for power and data
- Onboard WS2812 RGB LED — NeoPixel-compatible, fully programmable in 24-bit color
- 26 GPIO Pins — with ADC, PWM, UART, SPI, and I2C support, plus Programmable I/O (PIO)
📌 Module Pinout
This board follows the same 40-pin layout as the standard Raspberry Pi Pico, so any Pico pinout diagram or guide will apply directly. Looking at the board with the USB-C connector at the top and the pins facing down:
| Pin(s) | Label | Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2 | GP0, GP1 | General I/O, default UART0 (TX/RX) |
| 4, 5 | GP2, GP3 | General I/O |
| 6, 7 | GP4, GP5 | General I/O, default UART1 (TX/RX) |
| 9–12 | GP6–GP9 | General I/O |
| 14–17 | GP10–GP13 | General I/O |
| 19–22 | GP14–GP17 | General I/O |
| 24–27 | GP18–GP21 | General I/O |
| 29 | GP22 | General I/O |
| 31, 32, 34 | GP26, GP27, GP28 | General I/O / ADC0, ADC1, ADC2 (analog input) |
| 3, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33, 38 | GND | Ground |
| 36 | 3V3(OUT) | 3.3V regulated output — powers external sensors/modules |
| 37 | 3V3_EN | Pull low to disable the onboard 3.3V regulator |
| 39 | VSYS | System input voltage (1.8V–5.5V) — power the board without USB |
| 40 | VBUS | 5V from USB-C when connected (not regulated 3.3V) |
| 30 | RUN | Pull low to reset/restart the chip |
⚠️ Important: All GPIO pins operate at 3.3V logic and are not 5V tolerant. Never connect a 5V signal directly to a GPIO pin — this can permanently damage the board. If you need to interface with 5V devices, use a logic level converter. The VBUS pin carries 5V from USB, not 3.3V — don't confuse it with the 3V3(OUT) pin.
🔌 Connecting & Powering the Board
📦 Parts Needed
- 1× RP2040 Development Board (this product)
- 1× USB-C cable (data-capable, not charge-only)
- A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux
Connection Table
| Board Connector | Connects To |
|---|---|
| USB-C Port | Computer USB port (via USB-C cable) |
📝 Note: For most projects, USB-C alone provides both power and a programming/data connection — no additional wiring is required to get started. The 4-pin right-angle header included in the box is only needed if you plan to use SWD debugging with a separate probe; it's optional for everyday use.
🚀 Step 1: Flash MicroPython & Blink the Onboard RGB LED
This first project loads MicroPython onto the board and runs a simple script that cycles the onboard WS2812 RGB LED through red, green, and blue.
- Download the MicroPython UF2 file for RP2040 from the official MicroPython downloads page
- Hold down the BOOTSEL button on the board, plug it into your computer via USB-C, then release BOOTSEL
- The board will appear as a USB mass storage drive named RPI-RP2
- Drag and drop the downloaded
.uf2file onto that drive — the board will reboot automatically running MicroPython - Install Thonny (a free, beginner-friendly Python editor) and select "MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico)" as the interpreter
# RP2040 Onboard RGB LED Blink
# Envistia Mall - Product Support
#
# Cycles the onboard WS2812 RGB LED through red, green, and blue.
# Requires the "neopixel" module, which is built into MicroPython for RP2040.
from machine import Pin
import neopixel
import time
# NOTE: Confirm the correct GPIO pin for your board's RGB LED.
# Many RP2040 16MB boards use GP16 - check your board's pinout diagram if unsure.
NUM_LEDS = 1
LED_PIN = 16
np = neopixel.NeoPixel(Pin(LED_PIN), NUM_LEDS)
colors = [(255, 0, 0), (0, 255, 0), (0, 0, 255)]
while True:
for color in colors:
np[0] = color
np.write()
time.sleep(0.5)
How to Use:
- Open the script above in Thonny
- Click "Run" (or press F5) to send it to the board
- Watch the onboard RGB LED cycle through red, green, and blue every half-second
- If the LED doesn't light up, double-check the
LED_PINvalue against your board's pinout diagram
🎯 Common Applications
- Learning Embedded Programming — a low-cost, forgiving platform for beginners learning MicroPython, CircuitPython, or C/C++
- Rapid Prototyping — quickly test project ideas before committing to a final design
- IoT & Home Automation — read sensors and control devices with a compact, capable controller
- Robotics & Motor Control — 16 PWM channels make it well-suited for driving motors and servos
- USB HID Devices — build custom keyboards, macro pads, or game controllers
🛠️ Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Board doesn't appear as a drive when plugging in | BOOTSEL wasn't held during connection, or the USB cable is charge-only | Try again, holding BOOTSEL before plugging in; confirm your cable supports data transfer |
| RGB LED doesn't light up in the example script | Wrong GPIO pin specified for the LED in code | Check the pinout diagram/silkscreen on your specific board for the correct RGB LED pin |
| Thonny can't connect to the board | Wrong interpreter selected, or board is still in BOOTSEL/mass-storage mode | Select "MicroPython (Raspberry Pi Pico)" in Thonny's interpreter settings; unplug and replug without holding BOOTSEL |
| Board resets unexpectedly during use | Insufficient power from the USB port, or a short circuit on a GPIO pin | Try a different USB port or powered hub; check external wiring for shorts |
| Code runs but nothing happens on GPIO pins | 3.3V logic level mismatch with an external 5V device | Add a logic level converter between the board and any 5V peripherals |
| UF2 firmware won't load / drive disappears instantly | Corrupted or incompatible UF2 file | Re-download the UF2 file from the official source and try again |
💡 Tips for Best Results
- Use a good quality USB-C cable — some inexpensive cables are charge-only and won't support programming
- Remember it's 3.3V logic — always double-check voltage compatibility before connecting external devices
- Take advantage of the 16MB flash — this board can hold larger MicroPython/CircuitPython programs and even a small filesystem for data logging
- Use the onboard RGB LED for debugging — a quick way to get visual status feedback without needing a display
- Explore Programmable I/O (PIO) — a unique RP2040 feature that lets you offload timing-critical tasks from the main cores
- Since this is a compatible board, not an official Pico — minor differences (like the exact RGB LED pin) may exist between manufacturing batches, so always verify against your board's printed pinout before assuming a pin number
🏪 Where to Buy
Buy the RP2040 Development Board 16MB, USB-C, RGB LED at Envistia Mall.
- 📦 Fast US Shipping
- 🔄 Hassle-Free Returns
- 📧 Responsive Customer Support
📚 Resources & Downloads
- RP2040 Official Datasheet: Raspberry Pi RP2040 Datasheet
- MicroPython Downloads: Official MicroPython for RP2040/Pico
This guide is provided by Envistia Mall for educational and technical reference purposes. The manufacturer and Envistia LLC (dba Envistia Mall) are not responsible for any damages or losses resulting from the use of this product. Always follow proper electrical safety practices when working with electronic components. Specifications are based on manufacturer data and are subject to change without notice.