The Waveshare RP2040-Zero packs the full power of the RP2040 chip into a board barely larger than a postage stamp. At 23.5 x 18 mm, it includes 2 MB flash, 29 GPIO pins via castellated edges, USB-C, and a WS2812 RGB LED.
Specifications and Pinout
- MCU: RP2040 dual-core Cortex-M0+ at 133 MHz
- Flash: 2 MB
- RAM: 264 KB SRAM
- GPIO: 29 multi-function pins (castellated pads)
- USB: USB-C native USB 1.1
- LED: WS2812 on GPIO16
- Size: 23.5 x 18 mm
Getting Started
- Hold BOOT button while plugging in USB-C.
- Board appears as RPI-RP2 mass storage.
- Drag and drop MicroPython UF2 file.
- Connect via Thonny IDE at 115200 baud.
MicroPython Programming
Blink RGB LED
import machine, neopixel, time
np = neopixel.NeoPixel(machine.Pin(16), 1)
while True:
for c in [(255,0,0),(0,255,0),(0,0,255)]:
np[0] = c; np.write(); time.sleep(0.5)Read Analog Sensor
from machine import ADC, Pin
adc = ADC(Pin(26))
while True:
v = adc.read_u16() * 3.3 / 65535
print(f"Voltage: {v:.2f}V")C/C++ with Pico SDK
For maximum performance, use the Pico SDK. The dual-core capability lets you run sensor reading on core 0 and display on core 1 simultaneously.
Project Ideas
- USB Macro Keyboard: Native USB HID for a programmable macro pad.
- Wearable Sensor Logger: Fits inside a wristband, log accelerometer data to flash.
- MIDI Controller: USB MIDI class for custom music controller.
- Tiny Game Console: 0.96-inch OLED + buttons for simple games.
Tips and Tricks
- Use machine.lightsleep() for under 1 mA sleep current.
- RP2040 runs reliably at 250 MHz for display-intensive work.
- PIO state machines can implement WS2812, IR remote, and custom serial.
RP2040-Zero vs Pico vs Xiao
| Feature | RP2040-Zero | Pi Pico | Xiao RP2040 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 23.5x18mm | 51x21mm | 21×17.5mm |
| USB | USB-C | Micro USB | USB-C |
| GPIO | 29 | 26 | 11 |
| Price (India) | ~Rs.250 | ~Rs.350 | ~Rs.450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Arduino IDE?
Yes. Install Arduino-Pico core by Earle Philhower from Boards Manager.
How much flash for files?
About 1.4 MB available with MicroPython firmware.
Does it support WiFi?
No. Pair with ESP-01 for WiFi or HC-05 for Bluetooth.
Can I solder it directly to a PCB?
Yes, castellated pads are designed for this.
Conclusion
The Waveshare RP2040-Zero proves powerful dev boards need not be large. Its tiny footprint and castellated edges make it perfect for USB gadgets, wearables, and space-constrained builds.
Browse the full Waveshare collection at Zbotic.in with fast shipping across India.
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