Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040
What is Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040？
Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 is a compact and powerful microcontroller that supports the popular Arduino programming environment. It features the RP2040 chip, designed by Raspberry Pi, and combines dual-core processing capabilities with a range of interfaces, including GPIO, I2C, SPI, and PWM. This makes it ideal for a variety of projects, from robotics to IoT applications. With its small footprint, the XIAO RP2040 is perfect for portable applications and prototyping, providing a versatile platform for both beginners and experienced developers. Additionally, the board supports multiple programming languages, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their project needs.
Features
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Powerful MCU: Equipped with a dual-core ARM Cortex M0+ processor, capable of a flexible clock speed of up to 133 MHz.
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Rich On-Chip Resources: Includes 264KB of SRAM and 2MB of onboard Flash memory for extensive data handling.
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Flexible Compatibility: Supports multiple programming environments, including MicroPython, Arduino, and CircuitPython.
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Easy Project Operation: Designed with a breadboard-friendly and SMD layout, featuring no components on the back for simple integration.
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Compact Size: Measures just 21x17.8mm, making it perfect for wearable devices and small projects.
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Multiple Interfaces: Offers 11 digital pins, 4 analog pins, 11 PWM pins, 1 I2C interface, 1 UART interface, 1 SPI interface, and 1 SWD bonding pad interface for versatile connectivity.
Hardware Overview
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PinOut
Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350
What is Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350？
Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350 is a compact microcontroller designed for ease of use and high performance. It features the advanced RP2350 chip, which offers dual-core processing capabilities, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including IoT and robotics. The board provides multiple interface options such as GPIO, I2C, SPI, and PWM, allowing for versatile connectivity in various projects. With its small size, the XIAO RP2350 is ideal for portable designs and prototyping, catering to both beginner and experienced developers. Additionally, it supports multiple programming environments, ensuring flexibility in project development.
Features
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Powerful MCU Board: Equipped with a Raspberry Pi RP2350 chip featuring a symmetric dual Arm Cortex-M33 running at 150MHz with an FPU.
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Enhanced Security Features: Built-in secure boot and encrypted bootloader ensure application security.
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Software Support: Compatible with C/C++ and MicroPython, facilitating easy project development and prototyping.
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Rich Onboard Resources: Integrates an RGB LED, 2MB Flash, 520kB SRAM, and 19 multifunction GPIOs (Analog, Digital, I²C, UART, SPI, PWM).
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Expanded 8 New IOs: Compared to previous XIAO MCUs, the addition of 8 IO pins on the back supports more complex applications.
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Efficient Power Design: Features an ultra-low power consumption of just 50μA in sleep mode, enabling battery operation. The ability to directly measure battery voltage via internal IO enhances the battery management system (BMS).
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Compact Thumb-Sized Design: Measuring 21 x 17.8mm, it adopts Seeed Studio's classic XIAO form factor, making it ideal for space-conscious applications.
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Production-Friendly: Surface Mount Device (SMD) design with all components on the front and stamp holes on both sides, facilitating efficient mass production.
Hardware Overview
PinOut
Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 Vs RP2350
Specification comparison
| Product Name | Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040 | Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350 |
| Chipset | Raspberry Pi 2040 | Raspberry Pi RP2350 |
| Processor | Dual Cortex M0+ processor running at up to 133 MHz | Dual Cortex-M33 processor running at up to 150MHz with FPU |
| RAM | 264KB SRAM | 520KB SRAM |
| Flash | 2MB Onboard Flash | 2MB Onboard Flash |
| Interface | GPIO Pin x14 Digital Pin x11 Analog Pin x4 I2C x1 UART x1 SPI x1PWM x11 | GPIO Pinx22Digital Pin x19Analog Pin x3 I2C x2 UART x2 SPI x2PWM x19 |
| Onboard | User LED (3 Colors) x1Power LED x1RGB LED x1Reset Button x1Boot Button x1 | User LED x1Charge LED (Battery Charging Indicator) x1RGB LED x1Reset Button x1Boot Button x1 |
| Wireless Connectivity | / | / |
| Power | Input Voltage (Type-C): 5V lnput Voltage (BAT): 3.3v | Input Voltage (Type-C): 5V lnput Voltage (BAT): 3.3v |
| Low Power Mode | / | 4.2V/50 μA |
| Software Compatibility | Arduino, PlatformIO, MicroPython, CircuitPython, tinyGo, Rust, Zephyr | Arduino, PlatformIO, MicroPython, CircuitPython |
| Working Temperature | -20°C-70°C | -20°C-70°C |
| Dimensions | 21x17.8mm | 21x17.8mm |
Key difference
XIAO RP2040 is equipped with a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor that runs at a maximum clock speed of 133MHz. It features 264KB of SRAM and 2MB of Flash memory, making it suitable for a variety of projects. This board provides essential connectivity options but does not include built-in security features. Its compact design makes it ideal for simple applications and prototypes.
XIAO RP2350 utilizes a more advanced dual-core ARM Cortex-M33 processor with a higher clock speed of 150MHz, resulting in improved performance. It offers 520KB of SRAM and 2MB of Flash memory, along with additional features such as an RGB LED and 19 multifunction GPIOs. The RP2350 includes enhanced security features like secure boot and an encrypted bootloader, making it suitable for secure applications. It also has an ultra-low power consumption of just 50μA in sleep mode and introduces 8 extra I/O pins that support more complex projects.
How to choose a product that is more suitable for your project？
Seeed Studio XIAO RP2040
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Arduino Ecosystem: If your project is based on the Arduino platform, the Xiao RP2040 is an excellent choice due to its compatibility with the Arduino IDE and extensive documentation and community support.
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Rapid Prototyping: This board is ideal for quick prototyping and entry-level projects, making it perfect for educational settings or hobbyists.
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Low-Power Applications: Use the Xiao RP2040 for embedded projects that require low power consumption and efficient performance.
Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350
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Higher Performance Needs: If your project requires greater processing power or additional peripheral interfaces, the Xiao RP2350 is the better option, especially for complex computations or real-time processing tasks.
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Alternative Development Environments: Select the Xiao RP2350 if you intend to work with non-Arduino development environments, as it supports a wider range of programming languages and frameworks.
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Multitasking Applications: This board is ideal for projects that need to manage multiple sensors or devices simultaneously, such as robotics or IoT applications.
Other information
Raspberry Pi RP2040 Documentation
FAQ
What are the advantages of using the XIAO series boards compared to other microcontrollers?
Both boards in the XIAO series feature a compact form factor, extensive GPIO availability, and support for popular programming languages such as Arduino and MicroPython, making them versatile for various applications.
Can I use the same libraries and code for both boards?
Generally, many libraries and code examples will work for both boards, especially if they're using frameworks like Arduino or MicroPython. However, you should verify the hardware-specific features in your code, as there might be differences in GPIO or functionality.
What types of projects can I implement that utilize both boards?
You can design projects that require both boards for specialized tasks, such as:
Sensor networks, where one board handles data collection (like the RP2040) and the other processes or transmits that data (like the RP2350).
Robotics projects where one board controls specific motors while the other manages sensor input or user interfaces.
