The Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 W packs a punch, boasting significant upgrades compared to its predecessors. It features the RP2350B chip, which is a powerful upgrade from the RP2350A found in the standard Pico 2. This results in a substantial increase in both SRAM (520KB) and PSRAM (8MB), effectively doubling the RAM available for your projects. Furthermore, the Plus 2 W offers an impressive 16MB QSPI flash storage, quadrupling the storage capacity of the Pico 2.
The addition of a Raspberry Pi RM2 module, a compact package housing an Infineon CYW43439 chip, brings both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to the board. This is the same chip used in the Raspberry Pi Pico W, making it a familiar and reliable choice for getting your projects online. The RM2 module is expected to be incorporated into the official Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W, so the Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 W offers a preview of what's to come.
Beyond its wireless capabilities, the Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 W maintains the same pinout as the Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico 2, ensuring compatibility with existing projects. Pimoroni has also cleverly squeezed in a Qw/St connector (Stemma QT) for easy connection to a range of sensors and peripherals, along with an SWD debug port for streamlined development. A USB Type-C port provides both data and power, offering a modern and user-friendly interface.
Clipper LTE 4G: Connecting Your Projects in Remote Locations
For projects that require cellular connectivity, Pimoroni has introduced the Clipper LTE 4G Breakout board, a versatile solution compatible with the Raspberry Pi Pico, Pico W, Pico 2, Pimoroni Pico Plus 2, and even the Raspberry Pi. This breakout board opens up possibilities for projects that can't rely on Wi-Fi or for projects that need only a minimal amount of data.
At the heart of Clipper is the SIMCom A7683E 4G LTE module, capable of operating on a wide range of LTE bands. Clipper leverages the AT command protocol for communication, making it straightforward to integrate with your project. While the data transfer speeds are modest at 5Mbps up and 10Mbps down, they are sufficient for various applications like data science projects, basic security systems, and even trail camera projects.
The compact design of Clipper, measuring only 35 x 29 x 5mm, allows for integration with various projects. It connects to the Pico using the SP/CE interface, which provides a flexible set of GPIO pins for control and communication. For users familiar with the Raspberry Pi, Clipper can also be connected to the Raspberry Pi's GPIO using a breakout board. The board also includes an SMA connection for attaching an antenna, with options for both long and stubby antennas.
The Power of Connectivity: Free SIM Card and Data
To make Clipper even more accessible, Pimoroni is offering a free SIM card with 100MB of data for a limited time. These SIM cards, supplied by 1NCE, are valid for six months and work in over 150 countries.
While 100MB might seem like a small amount of data, it's sufficient for the tasks Clipper is designed for. These projects typically involve sending small packets of data via protocols like MQTT, IFTTT, or web sockets, not high-bandwidth streaming services.
The Future of the Raspberry Pi Pico: Connectivity and Versatility
The Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 W and Clipper LTE 4G demonstrate a clear shift towards connectivity and versatility within the Raspberry Pi Pico ecosystem. These products offer developers exciting new ways to integrate their projects with the internet and explore the possibilities of embedded computing. With the official Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W expected to be released later this year, the future of the Pico looks bright, promising more powerful and connected devices that push the boundaries of what's possible with these tiny but mighty microcontrollers.
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