Key Takeaways
1. Raspberry Pi has upgraded its RP2040 microcontroller speed to 200 MHz, a 50% increase from the original 133 MHz.
2. The new speed option is available with version 2.1.1 of the Pico SDK, but may cause compatibility issues with existing programs.
3. The higher speed requires a voltage increase to 1.15 V, compared to the previous 1.10 V.
4. The 200 MHz mode is not enabled by default and must be activated by setting SYS_CLK_MHZ=200 in the code.
5. A similar speed upgrade may be possible for the RP2350, which currently operates at a maximum of 150 MHz.
Raspberry Pi has quietly introduced a significant speed upgrade to its RP2040 microcontroller, which is used in single-board computers (SBCs) like the Pico W (currently priced at $15.99 on Amazon). The RP2040, which made its debut in early 2021, features Cortex-M0+ cores and was known for its relatively low cost. Originally, these cores operated at speeds of up to 133 MHz, or 125 MHz at a voltage of 1.10 V.
New Speed Options
With the release of version 2.1.1 of the Pico SDK, there is now an option to run at 200 MHz, marking a 50% increase over the standard speeds. However, this enhancement comes with some drawbacks. Raspberry Pi has cautioned users that this new speed may lead to compatibility issues with some existing programs. Additionally, the new 200 MHz mode requires a higher voltage, with 1.15 V specified in the release notes for v2.1.1.
Activation Process
Due to these considerations, the new CPU mode at 200 MHz is not enabled by default in v2.1.1. To activate it, users simply need to set SYS_CLK_MHZ=200 using a preprocessor define. Raspberry Pi has also suggested that a similar upgrade might be possible for the RP2350, which is currently limited to a maximum of 150 MHz. For further information, check out the Pico SDK page on GitHub.
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