µctrl Raspberryπ pico & arduino

[EdS2]

(01-26-2021 10:52 PM)Liam Hays Wrote:  

Quote:...could be made by combining a Zero W with a Pico...

Judging by its specs, the Pico already provides the raw processing capability. While a Zero or Zero W is much more powerful, I think it would pose some issues: a) it runs Linux, so every time you want to go use your calculator, you have to wait for it to boot, and b) it draws much more power than a Pico or equivalent microcontroller.

Just a small point: it's not accurate to think of the Zero, or any other of the original Pi boads, as necessarily running Linux. They can, and they usually do, but they don't have to. Not only are other operating systems available, but baremetal projects are possible and practical. It does take a fraction of a second to boot, which isn't quite as fast as it might be, but it's no worse than that. My favourite example is PiTubeDirect which starts fast enough to be recognised by the BBC Micro at power up.

Back on topic, I am very impressed by the Pico, and the RP2040 chip that's inside it, and very excited to see what projects people make with it. It's barely cheaper than a Zero, but much lower power, and deterministic, and the PIO engines seem to be very useful indeed. Well-suited to real time applications, or indeed, interfaces. A paired Zero and Pico might well be a common solution.