RP2350 Microcontroller Upgrade
The Raspberry Pi Pico 2 features the new RP2350 microcontroller, a significant upgrade from its predecessor. This chip brings several improvements that enhance the board's capabilities and flexibility:
- Dual-core ARM Cortex-M33 processors running at up to 150 MHz, an increase from the previous 133 MHz Cortex-M0+ cores
- Two additional RISC-V cores (Hazard3) that can be used instead of the ARM cores during boot time
- Support for floating point and DSP operations
- 12 upgraded PIO (Programmable I/O) state machines, an increase from 8 in the original Pico
- Robust security architecture including Arm TrustZone technology
- SHA-256 accelerator for improved cryptographic performance
- Hardware-based true random number generator (TRNG) for enhanced security applications
Memory and Storage Enhancements
The new board boasts significant memory and storage improvements, doubling the capabilities of its predecessor. With 520 KB of on-chip SRAM and 4 MB of external QSPI flash RAM, the Pico 2 offers enhanced performance for more complex projects. These upgrades provide developers with increased flexibility and processing power, enabling the creation of more sophisticated applications while maintaining the board's compact 21mm by 51mm form factor.
Advanced Security Features
Enhanced security measures are a standout feature of the Pico 2, incorporating Arm TrustZone technology, a signed boot process, and a hardware-based true random number generator (TRNG). The board includes 8KB of one-time programmable (OTP) memory for secure key storage and employs a redundancy coprocessor along with hardware fast glitch detectors to deter potential attackers. To further validate their security architecture, Raspberry Pi is commissioning third-party audits and offering a $10,000 bounty for the first confirmed break of their signed boot process.
Pico 2 W Future Plans
Plans are underway to introduce a wireless-capable version, the Pico 2 W, by the end of 2024. This upcoming variant will utilize the same Infineon 43439 modem found in the original Pico W, expanding the connectivity options for developers and hobbyists. The addition of wireless capabilities to the enhanced Pico 2 platform is expected to open up new possibilities for IoT and remote sensing projects.
