{"product_id":"the-rp2040-connectivity-board","title":"The RP2040 Connectivity Board","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe RP2040 Connectivity board – the all-in-one IoT solution!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RP2040 Connectivity Board is a comprehensive IoT solution designed for modern applications. This board combines the capabilities of \u003cstrong\u003eLTE, WiFi, and BLE\u003c\/strong\u003e into a single platform, making it ideal for a wide array of IoT projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the \u003ca href=\"\/hi\/products\/raspberry-pi-rp2040-microcontroller\"\u003eRP2040 chip\u003c\/a\u003e (as seen on the \u003ca href=\"\/hi\/collections\/pico\"\u003eRaspberry Pico\u003c\/a\u003e) and compatible with the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.arduino.cc\/en\/software\"\u003eArduino IDE\u003c\/a\u003e\/\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/platformio.org\/\"\u003ePlatformIO\u003c\/a\u003e, this board is perfect for both professional and hobbyist users who need multifaceted connectivity in their projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead on to learn more about this powerful board!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHigh-Performance Microcontroller:\u003c\/strong\u003e Powered by the RP2040 from Raspberry Pi, featuring a dual-core Cortex M0 processor at 133MHz, equipped with 8 MByte of FLASH memory and 264 Kbyte of integrated RAM.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiverse Connectivity Options:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLTE (Cat M1\/NB-IoT\/eGPRS):\u003c\/strong\u003e Includes the \u003cstrong\u003eSARA-R412M\u003c\/strong\u003e module for international \u003cstrong\u003eGSM and LTE-M\/NB-IoT\u003c\/strong\u003e coverage, offering robust IoT security and efficient data transfer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWiFi\/BLE:\u003c\/strong\u003e Integrated with the \u003cstrong\u003eESP32-C3FN4\u003c\/strong\u003e chip, providing a full range of WiFi and BLE functionalities, including various operating modes and advanced features.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSB Type C Interface:\u003c\/strong\u003e Equipped with a modern USB-C port, ensuring compatibility with contemporary devices and enhanced durability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ilabs.se\/bconnect\/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBConnect\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e interface connector.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnhanced Power Efficiency:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLow power supply design, enabling lower battery voltage operation and extended battery life.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOn board LiPo battery charger that charges the attached battery with up to 500mA, enabling rapid charging times.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUser Interface and Programming:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwo accessible buttons for easy reset and UF2 mode activation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible antenna design with options for on-board chip antenna or U.FL connector for external antenna use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdditional Specifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackward Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ensures seamless software integration with previous board versions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNano SIM Card Slot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Supports various prepaid SIM card options\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile Application Potential:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for remote monitoring systems, smart connected devices, and other IoT applications.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBConnect\u003c\/strong\u003e interface that allows the user to hook up a wide range of peripherals such as NFC readers, accelerometers etc.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe microcontroller\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgain we have used the popular \u003cstrong\u003eRP2040 \u003c\/strong\u003efrom the Raspberry Pi Pico. An extremely well suited embedded processor for doing cool projects and managing high end communication devices such as the embedded modem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its dual core Cortex M0 at 133MHz, 8 MByte of FLASH and 264 Kbyte of integrated RAM it will take a very long time before you run out of resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLTE (Cat M1\/NB-IoT)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe module we selected to handle the cellular communication is the \u003cstrong\u003eSARA-R412M\u003c\/strong\u003e series module. This module can be software multi-band configured, enabling \u003cstrong\u003einternational multi-regional coverage in both GSM as well as LTE-M\/NB-IoT radio access technologies.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SARA-R412M module is ideal for mission critical IoT solutions, as it includes a unique and immutable root of trust. It supports IoT security as a service and provides the foundation for a trusted set of advanced security functionalities. The scalable, pre-shared key management system offers data encryption and decryption, both on-device as well as from device to cloud. Utilizing the latest (D)TLS stack and cipher suites with hardware based crypto acceleration provides robust, efficient and protected communication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommunication with the modem device is done over one of the hardware serial ports of the RP2040 and the board is configured for hardware flow control which allows you to use high data transfer speeds to and from the modem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe supplied cellular antenna is connected to the board through a U.FL connector at the rear of the board. The antenna can then be attached to a plastic enclosure by peeling of the protective film and pressing it in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNano SIM Card slot\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe board needs a \u003cstrong\u003enano SIM\u003c\/strong\u003e card in order to be able to connect to an LTE network and transfer data.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWiFi\/BLE\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RP2040 Connectivity board is equipped with a powerful combined single chip solution that provides the WiFi and BLE connectivity of this board. The chip we are using is the \u003cstrong\u003eESP32-C3FN4\u003c\/strong\u003e from Espressif and it is a complete WiFi subsystem that complies with IEEE 802.11b\/g\/n protocol and supports Station mode, SoftAP mode, SoftAP + Station mode, and promiscuous mode. It also implements A Bluetooth LE subsystem that supports features of Bluetooth 5 and Bluetooth mesh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis solution is based on an RISC-V micro controller core and comes with 4MByte of internal flash and 408Kbyte of internal SRAM as well as the advanced 2.4GHz radio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ESP32-C3 device comes pre loaded with the ESP-AT interpreter already programmed into flash. This interpreter provides the system with everything from low level TCP\/UDP functionality up to high level functions such as a on board integrated web server, MQTT server and client functions and much more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the get go the on board ESP32 delivers the following functionalities:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBasic AT Commands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWi-Fi AT Commands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTCP-IP AT Commands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBluetooth® Low Energy AT Commands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMQTT AT Commands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHTTP AT Commands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeb server AT Commands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSetting an MQTT client up for instance is a matter of three lines of code, couldn’t be easier to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAntenna solutions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe board is equipped with a on board chip antenna for the WiFi\/BLE radio and for the GSM\/LTE part we have included a U.FL. connector that allows the user to hook up the antenna of their choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ve also included a antenna detection circuit on the board which together with the appropriate antenna can detect whether an antenna is attached or not (requires special circuitry on the antenna).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExternal IO\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have equipped the board with a 26 pin expansion header that allow the board to connect a multitude of sensors, buttons, displays… well basically anything you need. Here’s a list of the connector pins and their functions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"475\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"75\" data-align=\"right\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"71\" data-align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"74\" data-align=\"center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd width=\"255\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eGND\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eD1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eD0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD18\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eSDI\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e7\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD11\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eSS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eSCK\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e11\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eSDO\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e13\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e14\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eD8\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eGND\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e15\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e16\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGND\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eA3\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e17\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e18\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.3V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eA2\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e19\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e20\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVUSB (+5V)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eA1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e21\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e22\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVBAT\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eA0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e23\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e24\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRESET (Active low)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"right\"\u003eAREF\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e25\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd data-align=\"center\"\u003e26\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEN (Pull low to deactivate module)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eButtons\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are two buttons on the board. The button closest to the USB connector is the reset button. Use it whenever you need to reset the unit. It has exactly the same functionality as the RESET pin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen there is the BOOT button just next to the reset button. This button must be used in conjunction with the reset button to reset the RP2040 into UF2 mode. Press the BOOT button, then the RESET button for a short moment. Then release the RESET button (while still pressing the BOOT button) and shortly after that release the BOOT button. This will place the board in UF2 mode and show up in the computer as a mass storage device.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUSB-C\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the recent years we have noticed that we are seeing more and more USB Type C cable laying around the lab due to the fact that all new phones and accessories use them. As of yet we haven’t seen any shortage of micro USB cables but we are not getting any new ones any more and old ones do break occasionally. So we decided to go for a USB Type C connector for this board. A bonus of this is that they are quite bit more durable and you don’t have to fiddle with the cable before plugging it in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eProduct Summary\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe “RP2040 Connectivity Board” is a testament to the convergence of technology and innovation in the IoT space. Offering unmatched processing power and a suite of connectivity options, this board is your go-to solution for IoT projects demanding versatility, reliability, and ease of use. Elevate your IoT projects to new heights with the RP2040 Connectivity Board – your all-in-one solution for modern IoT challenges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eResources\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ve teamed up with Earle F. Philhower over at his \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/earlephilhower\/arduino-pico\"\u003eGithub\u003c\/a\u003e page to provide Arduino support for our RP2040 based boards. You can follow the instructions on Earle’s GitHub page or you can check out our instructions \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ilabs.se\/getting-your-challenger-rp2040-board-up-and-running-with-the-arduino-ide\/\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e on how to install the package.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDocumentation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ilabs.se\/connectivity-rp2040-lte-wifi-ble-datasheet\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDatasheet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/usercontent.one\/wp\/ilabs.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SARA-R4_DataSheet_UBX-16024152.pdf?media=1689860297\"\u003eUBlox R4 Datasheet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/usercontent.one\/wp\/ilabs.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SARA-R4_ATCommands_UBX-17003787.pdf?media=1689860297\"\u003eSARA R4 AT Commands manual\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/usercontent.one\/wp\/ilabs.se\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/SARA-R4-Application-Development_AppNote_UBX-18019856.pdf?media=1689860297\"\u003eSARA R4 Application development application note\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/docs.espressif.com\/projects\/esp-at\/en\/latest\/esp32c3\/AT_Command_Set\/index.html\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eESP32 AT interpreter\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePackage Contents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1x RP2040 Connectivity Board\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2x Header strips\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSB cable not included\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"iLabs","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50847316640017,"sku":"105860","price":71.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0901\/6285\/6209\/files\/the-rp2040-connectivity-board-ilabs-105860-42416164176067.jpg?v=1735210857","url":"https:\/\/abcd3032.myshopify.com\/hi\/products\/the-rp2040-connectivity-board","provider":"Tayyab Zak","version":"1.0","type":"link"}