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The Raspberry Pi Pico series has become a favorite among makers, hobbyists, and engineers for its versatility, affordability, and the power of the RP2040 microcontroller. Whether you’re building a robot, creating a sensor network, or just tinkering, the Pico has long been a go-to platform for many projects. But what happens when you want to go beyond the standard functionality and add support for modern power delivery systems?
Enter the PicoPD Pro - USB-C PD 3.1 PPS AVS with RP2040, a new hardware variant that enhances the Pico with USB Power Delivery (PD) 3.1, offering flexible and high-power capabilities. If you're familiar with the standard Raspberry Pi Pico, you're going to love what the PicoPD Pro brings to the table. Let’s dive into what makes this board unique and how it could be a game-changer for your next project.
What is the PicoPD Pro?
The PicoPD Pro is an enhanced version of the Raspberry Pi Pico, featuring a USB-C PD 3.1 controller that supports PPS, EPR, and AVS profiles, which enable flexible power negotiation between the board and a power source (like a USB-C charger or power bank). With this board, you can power your RP2040-based projects with voltages as high as 28V — making it perfect for applications that require higher power, such as motor control boards, LED drivers, custom battery chargers, and even controllable power supplies.
At its core, the PicoPD Pro uses the RP2040 microcontroller (the same one found in the Raspberry Pi Pico) but adds additional functionality via the AP33772S Sink Controller, a critical component for USB Power Delivery 3.1 (PD3.1) support.
Key Features and Specifications
The PicoPD Pro combines the power and flexibility of the RP2040 with the advanced USB-C PD functionality, providing a number of key benefits for developers:
1. Power and Voltage Management
- Built-in 5V @ 500mA switching power supply: This provides a stable 5V output that can power external peripherals or sensors.
- Built-in 3.3V @ 200mA LDO: Powering the RP2040 microcontroller and other low-voltage components.
- Temperature reading circuit: A built-in temperature sensor to help monitor the health of the board during operation.
- USB-C current/voltage readings: Integrated monitoring for the current and voltage from the USB-C power source.
2. USB-C PD 3.1 Support
- AP33772S Sink Controller: A protocol chip that allows the PicoPD Pro to handle various USB-C Power Delivery profiles, including fixed profiles (5V, 9V, 15V, 20V), as well as Extended Power Range (EPR) up to 28V and Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS) from 15V to 28V.
3. Microcontroller: RP2040
- Flexible clock speed up to 133 MHz: Allows for smooth and fast operation for a wide range of applications.
- 264KB on-chip SRAM: Ensures there’s enough memory for your projects.
- 16MB onboard QSPI flash: Great for storing data or running large applications.
4. User Interface and Control
- User-controllable Green LED: A GPIO pin (GPIO 25) is connected to a green LED, which can be used for various feedback indicators or debugging purposes.
- Reset and Boot Buttons: Easy reset and boot functionality via physical buttons on the board.
- Programming via USB-C or SWD: Choose your preferred method for programming the board.
Why Choose the PicoPD Pro?
The PicoPD Pro is an exciting option for those looking to use USB-C Power Delivery in their projects while retaining the full functionality of the RP2040. Whether you need to power a motor control board, design a custom battery charger, or create a controllable power supply, the ability to negotiate voltage up to 28V with PPS, EPR, and AVS support makes it incredibly flexible.
With the added ability to read voltage and current from the USB-C port and the integration of temperature monitoring, this board provides critical feedback for safe and efficient operation. Plus, the inclusion of USB-C PD 3.1 means you're working with one of the most modern, flexible power standards available today.
PicoPD Pro vs Raspberry Pi Pico Comparison
| Feature | Raspberry Pi Pico | PicoPD Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Power Supply | Powered via 5V pin | 5V @ 500mA switching power supply + 3.3V LDO |
| USB-C PD | Not supported | USB-C PD 3.1 (Fixed profiles, PPS, EPR, AVS) |
| Voltage Range | 5V only | 5V-28V (up to 28V with PD3.1) |
| Temperature Monitoring | Not available | Integrated temperature sensor |
| USB-C Port | No | Yes (for both power and programming) |
| Current/Voltage Monitoring | Not available | Built-in voltage/current reading for USB-C |
The PicoPD Pro is particularly useful if your project requires higher voltage input or if you need more control over the power being supplied to your circuit.
Testing Results and Availability
The development team has already conducted preliminary tests with a Framework USB-C 180W charger and successfully requested power at all standard fixed profiles (5V, 9V, 15V, 20V), along with EPR up to 28V and AVS from 15V to 28V. While full performance tests will be completed when the board prototypes are available, the initial results are promising, and the team is expecting to finalize the hardware by December 15th, 2024.
Once the hardware is finalized, we can expect the release of the full driver library (in C++) for the board, making it easy to get started with programming and integrating this powerful hardware into your own projects.
The PicoPD Pro is a significant upgrade to the standard Raspberry Pi Pico by integrating USB-C Power Delivery 3.1, which allows for flexible voltage negotiation and higher power applications. Whether you're building complex motor control systems, designing custom power supplies, or experimenting with higher-voltage devices, the PicoPD Pro offers a compelling solution for developers and hobbyists alike.
Keep an eye on the upcoming hardware release, and consider adding this board to your toolkit if your next project requires the flexibility and power that PicoPD Pro brings. It may just be the perfect platform to elevate your designs to the next level.
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