Product Overview
The PicUNO RP2040 is a high-performance microcontroller development board built on the Raspberry Pi RP2040 dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor, packaged in the standard UNO form factor. It is designed as a cross-platform, drop-in replacement for legacy UNO-compatible systems, Raspberry Pi Pico, and 16-bit MCU platforms — enabling engineers and students to migrate to modern architectures without hardware redesign. With multi-voltage support and comprehensive language compatibility, the PicUNO RP2040 is suited for newcomers and experienced developers alike.
Primary Applications
Embedded systems prototyping, TinyML edge inference, industrial I/O interfacing, legacy 5V peripheral integration, education and research
Platform Compatibility
Drop-in replacement for Arduino UNO, Raspberry Pi Pico, and 16-bit MCU hardware designs. Compatible with standard UNO shields and accessories.
Dual ARM Cortex-M0+ @ 133 MHz
264 KB On-Chip SRAM
2 MB QSPI Flash
26 Multi-Function GPIO
4× 5V Level-Shifted GPIO
DC Barrel Jack (6.5–12V)
USB-C Input (5V / 900mA)
QWIIC / I2C Port
Power Isolation Switch
UNO Form Factor
OSHWA Certified
Arduino IDE Compatible
MicroPython / CircuitPython
C/C++ SDK Support
| Parameter | Value / Description |
|---|
| MCU | Raspberry Pi RP2040 |
| Architecture | Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ |
| Clock Speed | Up to 133 MHz |
| On-Chip SRAM | 264 KB (6 independent banks) |
| Flash Memory | 2 MB external QSPI Flash |
| FPU | None (integer DSP instructions supported) |
| PIO State Machines | 8× programmable I/O state machines (2 blocks of 4) |
| DMA Channels | 12 |
| ADC | 4× 12-bit SAR ADC (GP26–GP29; GP29 reserved for VSYS sensing) |
| PWM | 8 slices / 16 channels — all GPIO PWM-capable |
| UART | 2× hardware UART |
| SPI | 2× hardware SPI |
| I2C | 2× hardware I2C |
| USB | USB 1.1 Host / Device (RP2040 native) |
| Interrupts | 26 GPIO interrupts, 1 NMI |
Barrel Jack Input
6.5–12
V DC · Centre positive
USB-C Input
5
V · Max 900 mA from host
Logic Voltage
3.3
V · On-board regulated
| Parameter | Value / Description |
|---|
| DC Barrel Jack |
6.5 V – 12 V DC, 5.5mm/2.1mm connector, centre positive
Recommended for high-current peripheral supply; no thermal stress on regulators within this range
|
| USB-C Connector |
5 V, USB 2.0 compatible, max 900 mA from host
Supports USB-A to USB-C and USB-C to USB-C cables (USB R compatible)
|
| Power Isolation Switch |
EXT / USB selector switch
EXT: Barrel jack powers peripheral rail; USB-C isolated from peripherals. Data transfer remains active.
USB: Board powered from USB-C. Level shifting inactive without external power.
|
| Level Shift Power Req. |
External power via barrel jack (EXT position) required for 5V level shifting operation |
Note — Host Protection
In EXT mode the USB-C connector is isolated from the peripheral power rail, protecting the connected host machine from hardware failures in attached circuitry. Data transfer via USB-C remains functional.
| Parameter | Value / Description |
|---|
| Total GPIO | 26 multi-function pins |
| Standard Logic Level | 3.3 V |
| 5V-Capable GPIO | 4 dedicated pins with bidirectional level shifting |
| ADC Inputs | 4× 12-bit (GP26–GP29; GP29 reserved for VSYS sensing) |
| PWM Channels | Up to 16 channels (8 slices); all GPIO are PWM-capable |
| UART | 2× hardware UART, assignable to multiple GPIO |
| SPI | 2× hardware SPI, assignable to multiple GPIO |
| I2C | 2× hardware I2C, assignable to multiple GPIO |
| Header Pitch | 2.54 mm (0.1") — UNO-standard |
| Pin Diagram | See PicUNO RP2040 Pin Diagram reference document |
| Parameter | Value / Description |
|---|
| Dedicated Shifted Pins | 4 GPIO pins |
| Direction | Bidirectional (automatic detection) |
| Low-Side Voltage | 3.3 V (RP2040 logic) |
| High-Side Voltage | 5 V (legacy peripheral) |
| Operation | Automatic: 3.3V output → 5V; 5V input → 3.3V |
| Power Requirement | External barrel jack (EXT switch position) required |
| Compatible Systems | 5V-only UNO peripherals, legacy shields, 16-bit MCU peripherals |
| Reference Schematic | SparkFun Logic Level Bidirectional (Logic_Level_Bidirectional.sch) |
Important
Level shifting is only active when powered via the barrel jack with the switch in EXT position. This prevents backfeed into the USB host. Level shifting does not function when the board is powered from USB-C alone.
| Interface | Description |
|---|
| USB-C Connector |
USB 2.0 (480 Mbps). Programming, serial debug, and power input. Supports USB-A to USB-C and C-C cables. |
| DC Barrel Jack |
5.5mm / 2.1mm, centre positive, 6.5–12 V DC input range. |
| QWIIC / I2C Port |
SparkFun QWIIC standard, JST SH 4-pin. Optional pull-up resistors at connector end. 3.3V logic. Compatible with full QWIIC peripheral ecosystem. |
| SWD Debug Header |
3-pin SWD (SWDIO, SWDCLK, GND) for hardware debug and programming via probe. |
| Shield Headers |
Standard UNO-compatible 2.54mm pitch. Compatible with existing Arduino UNO shields. |
Arduino C
Arduino IDE
Compatible via AtrivaTECH proprietary library, available through the Arduino IDE Library Manager. Includes integrated examples and built-in routines for level shifting and onboard peripherals. Recommended for new users.
Python
MicroPython / CircuitPython
Full MicroPython and CircuitPython support. Flash a UF2 firmware image via USB-C mass storage to get started. Ideal for rapid prototyping, scripted automation, and educational use.
C / C++
Raspberry Pi Pico C/C++ SDK
Full RP2040 SDK compatibility for direct hardware control of internal peripherals, ADC, PIO, DMA, and USB. Complete documentation available from the Raspberry Pi Foundation.
Extended
Additional Language Support
Comprehensive RP2040 documentation enables development in additional languages including Rust and other community-supported toolchains. See official RP2040 datasheet for full ecosystem details.
Warning
Exceeding absolute maximum ratings may permanently damage the device. These are stress ratings only. Functional operation at or beyond these limits is not implied or guaranteed.
| Parameter | Min | Max | Unit |
|---|
| Barrel Jack Input Voltage | — | 12 | V |
| USB-C Input Voltage | — | 5.5 | V |
| USB-C Input Current | — | 900 | mA |
| GPIO Voltage (standard pins) | −0.3 | 3.6 | V |
| GPIO Voltage (level-shifted pins) | −0.3 | 5.5 | V |
| Operating Temperature | −20 | +85 | °C |
| Storage Temperature | −40 | +125 | °C |
| Parameter | Value / Description |
|---|
| Form Factor | UNO-compatible (standard Arduino UNO PCB footprint) |
| PCB Grade | Industrial-grade tolerance |
| Header Pitch | 2.54 mm (0.1") |
| Mounting Holes | Standard UNO-compatible mounting pattern |
| Mechanical Drawing | See PicUNO RP2040 Mechanical Drawing — separate reference document |
| Body / Certification | Details |
|---|
| Open Source Hardware |
OSHWA Certified |
| Authorised Distributor |
Atrivatech Direct |
| Version | Date | Notes |
|---|
| V1.0.1 |
Feb 2026 |
Current release — minor revision. See issue tracker for changelog details. |
| V1.0.0 |
Dec 2025 |
Initial production release of PicUNO RP2040. |