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Getting Started with Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350(MicroPython)

Seeed Studio XIAO RP2350​

Get One Now 🖱️

The XIAO RP2350 packs the power of the Raspberry Pi RP2350 (dual Cortex-M33 cores running at 150MHz with FPU, enhanced security and encryption) into the classic XIAO form factor. Measuring just 21x17.8mm, it features 19 multifunction GPIOs, an RGB LED, and a Battery Management System with ultra-low power consumption of 27μA, battery power supply, and direct battery voltage measurement. Thanks to the XIAO ecosystem, the XIAO RP2350 is compatible with a wide range of add-ons, including displays, LED matrix, Grove modules, CAN Bus, Vision AI sensors, and mmWave sensors. With native support for MicroPython, C, and C++, the XIAO RP2350 is perfect for developers of all levels looking to create compact, battery-powered applications for smart control, wearables, DIY keyboards, and more.

Features​

  • Powerful MCU Board: Equipped with a Raspberry Pi RP2350 chip featuring symmetric dual Arm Cortex-M33 @ 150MHz with FPU.
  • Enhanced Security Features: Built-in secure boot and encrypted bootloader ensure application security.
  • Software Support: Compatible with C/C++ and MicroPython, ensuring easy project development and prototyping.
  • Rich Onboard Resources: Integrates an RGB LED, 2MB Flash, 520kB SRAM, and 19 multifunction GPIOs(Analog, Digital, I²C, UART, SPI, PWM).
  • Expanded 8 New IOs: Compared to previous XIAO MCUs, the addition of 8 IO pins on the back supports more complex applications.
  • Efficient Power Design: Ultra-low power consumption of just 27μA in sleep mode, enabling battery power supply. Direct battery voltage measurement via internal IO enhances the battery management system (BMS).
  • Compact Thumb-Sized Design: Measuring 21 x 17.8mm, adopting Seeed Studio's classic XIAO form factor, ideal for space-conscious applications.
  • Production-friendly: Surface Mount Device (SMD) design with all components on the front and stamp holes on both sides, facilitating efficient mass production.

Specification​

ProductXIAO RP2040XIAO RP2350
ProcessorRaspberry Pi RP2040Raspberry Pi RP2350
Dual Cortex-M0+ @ 133MHzDual Cortex-M33 @ 150MHz, FPU
RAM264kB SRAM520kB SRAM
Flash2MB Onboard2MB PSRAM
LEDs1 user LED, 1 power LED, 1 RGB LED
Two LEDs for serial port downloading		1 user LED, 1 power LED，1 RGB LED
Interface11 Pins:4x Analog,11x Digital, 1x I²C, 1x UART, 1x SPI, All PWM19 Pins:3x Analog,19x Digital, 2x I²C, 2x UART, 2x SPI, All PWM
Button1 RESET button, 1 BOOT button
Security - OTP, Secure Boot, Arm TrustZone
Low power - 5V/205uA
3.7V/57uA
Software compatibilitySupport MicroPython/CircuitPython, ArduinoSupport MicroPython, C/C++
Working Temperature-20°C~70°C
Dimensions21x17.8 mm

Hardware Overview​

XIAO RP2350 Front Pinout
XIAO RP2350 Front Pinout
XIAO RP2350 Back Pinout
XIAO RP2350 Back Pinout
XIAO RP2350 Components
XIAO RP2350 Components

Need more details on pinouts? Navigate to Assets and Resources below.

Platform Supported​

The XIAO RP2350, powered by the RP2350, supports MicroPython and the C/C++ SDK provided by Raspberry Pi. This flexibility allows developers to choose their preferred programming language and environment for prototyping and development.

C/C++ SDKMicroPython
c-cpp logoMicroPython

Getting Started▶️​

attention

This page primarily focuses on MicroPython users. For those interested in learning SDK programming or for advanced users, you may want to start with the Raspberry Pi Pico-series C/C++ SDK. This guide will help you set up the environment and get started with example code. Additionally, you can visit XIAO RP2350 with C/C++ SDK for more specific instructions related to the XIAO RP2350.

MicroPython Firmware Issue

As of November 10, 2024, the stable MicroPython firmware version 1.24.0 available for download at MicroPython.org for RPI_PICO2 is currently incompatible with certain devices due to variations in the flash chip.

The Seeed Team is actively working to resolve this issue in collaboration with the official MicroPython maintainers. In the meantime, you can use a preview version of the MicroPython firmware as a temporary solution: RP2350 MicroPython Firmware Preview

Step 1: Installing MicroPython on XIAO RP2350​

To install the MicroPython firmware on the XIAO RP2350, follow these steps:

Step 1.1. Download the MicroPython Firmware:

  • Navigate to the MicroPython Downloads page.
  • Download the latest .uf2 firmware file compatible with the XIAO RP2350.

Step 1.2 Enter BOOTSEL Mode:

You can enter BOOTSEL mode on the XIAO RP2350 using either of the two methods below:

  1. Press and Hold the BOOT Button:
    While your XIAO RP2350 is disconnected from your computer, press and hold the BOOT button.
  2. Connect to Your Computer:
    While holding the BOOT button, connect the XIAO RP2350 to your computer using a USB cable.
  3. Release the BOOT Button:
    After the board is connected to your computer, you can release the BOOT button. The XIAO RP2350 should now be in BOOTSEL mode, and your computer will recognize it as a removable storage device.
Hold Boot-> Plug in Cable-> Release Boot

Step 1.3. Install the Firmware:

  • Drag and drop the downloaded .uf2 file into the XIAO RP2350's removable storage drive.
  • The board will automatically reboot after the file is copied, completing the firmware installation.

Step 2: Installing Thonny IDE​

about MicroPython

MicroPython is an interpreted language similar to Python. However, unlike Python, MicroPython runs directly on the hardware (bare-metal), providing an interactive prompt (REPL) to execute commands immediately, as well as the ability to run and import scripts from the built-in filesystem.

To connect to the XIAO RP2350 board and start writing and running your Python code, you can use any terminal tool that supports serial connections, such as minicom, PuTTY, electerm, warp, and more. For a more user-friendly experience, you can use Thonny for its ease of use, integrated features, and beginner-friendly interface. This way, you can enjoy writing and running your Python code directly on the device.

Thonny IDE is a beginner-friendly Python editor that's excellent for MicroPython development. Here's how to install it:

  1. Download Thonny:

    • Visit the Thonny Download Page.
    • Choose the appropriate installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and download it.

  2. Install Thonny:

    • Run the downloaded installer.
    • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

  3. Configure Thonny for MicroPython:

    • Open Thonny IDE.
    • Look at the bottom-right corner of the Thonny window.
    • Click on the interpreter selection area.
    • Choose 'MicroPython (RP2040)' from the dropdown.
    • Ensure the correct Port is selected—Thonny typically auto-detects it.

You're now ready to write and upload MicroPython code to your XIAO RP2350 using Thonny IDE!

If your device is ready with MicroPython, let's start with a simple project:

Let's Make It Blink! ✨​

Getting the board to blink an LED is often the first program everyone runs. The same goes for the XIAO RP2350.

note

The USER LED, the yellow LED on the XIAO RP2350, is connected to GPIO25/D19 according to the schematic diagram. For all XIAO family boards, the USER LED will light up when set to a low level and turn off when set to a high level.

from machine import Pin # Import the Pin class from the machine module
from time import sleep  # Import the sleep function from the time module

# Initialize GPIO25 as an output pin, which controls the USER LED
led = Pin(25, Pin.OUT) 

# Turn off the LED initially
led.value(1) # led.on() -> high level -> light off
sleep(0.5) # Wait for 0.5 seconds

# Turn on the LED
led.value(0) # led.off() -> low level -> light on
sleep(0.5) # Wait for 0.5 seconds

# Enter an infinite loop
while True:
    # Toggle the LED state (on to off or off to on)
    led.toggle() 
    # Print the current state of the LED
    print(f"LED {'ON' if led.value() == 0 else 'OFF'}")
    sleep(0.5) # Wait for 0.5 seconds before the next toggle

Once you have copied the code into Thonny IDE, as shown in the image below, simply click the Run current script button or press F5. This will execute the code snippet and you'll see the LED on the XIAO RP2350 start to blink.

Play with RGB LEDs​

The XIAO RP2350 comes with a built-in RGB LED that you can control using MicroPython. Below is an example of how to cycle through different colors:

import array, time, random
from machine import Pin
import rp2

NUM_LEDS = 1
LED_PIN = 22  # PICO_DEFAULT_WS2812_PIN
POWER_PIN = 23  # PICO_DEFAULT_WS2812_POWER_PIN

# Global brightness variable (0.0 to 1.0)
BRIGHTNESS = 0.1

@rp2.asm_pio(sideset_init=rp2.PIO.OUT_LOW, out_shiftdir=rp2.PIO.SHIFT_LEFT, autopull=True, pull_thresh=24)
def ws2812():
    T1 = 2
    T2 = 5
    T3 = 3
    wrap_target()
    label("bitloop")
    out(x, 1)               .side(0)    [T3 - 1]
    jmp(not_x, "do_zero")   .side(1)    [T1 - 1]
    jmp("bitloop")          .side(1)    [T2 - 1]
    label("do_zero")
    nop()                   .side(0)    [T2 - 1]
    wrap()

# Set up the power pin
power_pin = Pin(POWER_PIN, Pin.OUT)
power_pin.value(1)  # Turn on power to the LED

# Create the StateMachine with the ws2812 program, outputting on LED_PIN
sm = rp2.StateMachine(0, ws2812, freq=8_000_000, sideset_base=Pin(LED_PIN))

# Start the StateMachine, it will wait for data on its FIFO.
sm.active(1)

def set_led_color(color):
    sm.put(array.array("I", [color]), 8)

def random_color():
    return random.randint(0, 255) | (random.randint(0, 255) << 8) | (random.randint(0, 255) << 16)

def interpolate(color1, color2, factor):
    r1, g1, b1 = color1 & 255, (color1 >> 8) & 255, (color1 >> 16) & 255
    r2, g2, b2 = color2 & 255, (color2 >> 8) & 255, (color2 >> 16) & 255
    r = int(r1 + factor * (r2 - r1))
    g = int(g1 + factor * (g2 - g1))
    b = int(b1 + factor * (b2 - b1))
    return (b << 16) | (g << 8) | r

def apply_brightness(color, brightness):
    r, g, b = color & 255, (color >> 8) & 255, (color >> 16) & 255
    r = int(r * brightness)
    g = int(g * brightness)
    b = int(b * brightness)
    return (b << 16) | (g << 8) | r

print("Starting random color transitions with adjustable brightness...")

# Main loop
current_color = random_color()
while True:
    next_color = random_color()
    for i in range(100):  # 100 steps for smooth transition
        transition_color = interpolate(current_color, next_color, i / 100)
        final_color = apply_brightness(transition_color, BRIGHTNESS)
        set_led_color(final_color)
        time.sleep_ms(20)  # Adjust this value to change transition speed
    current_color = next_color

    # Optionally, you can change the brightness here for demo purposes
    # BRIGHTNESS = random.random()  # This will set a random brightness each cycle

Battery & Power Management​

Is it possible to read the battery voltage without extra components? Yes, with the XIAO RP2350, it’s easier than ever. In previous XIAO family members, such as the XIAO ESP32C3, reading the battery voltage required manually connecting to A0 with a resistor.

But with the XIAO RP2350, this process is simplified. You can now directly use the A3/GPIO29 pin to read the battery voltage level, streamlining your design and development. Just remember to set the GPIO19 pin to high, as it’s necessary to enable battery level reading.

Follow along with this code snippet to read the battery voltage using the Pico SDK:

from machine import Pin, ADC
import time

# Function to initialize the GPIO pin for enabling battery voltage reading
def init_gpio():
    enable_pin = Pin(19, Pin.OUT)
    enable_pin.value(1)  # Set the pin to high to enable battery voltage reading

def main():
    print("ADC Battery Example - GPIO29 (A3)")
    
    init_gpio()  # Initialize the enable pin
    adc = ADC(Pin(29))  # Initialize the ADC on GPIO29

    conversion_factor = 3.3 / (65535)  # Conversion factor for 12-bit ADC and 3.3V reference
    
    while True:
        result = adc.read_u16()  # Read the ADC value
        voltage = result * conversion_factor * 2  # Calculate the voltage, considering the voltage divider (factor of 2)
        print("Raw value: 0x{:03x}, voltage: {:.2f} V".format(result, voltage))
        time.sleep(0.5)  # Delay for 500 milliseconds

if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

Assets & Resources​

The XIAO RP2350 harnesses the power of the Raspberry Pi RP2350, leveraging a wealth of shared resources from the Raspberry Pi community. This opens up a world of possibilities for you to tailor your projects on this tiny board with boundless creativity. Below are essential resources and assets to help you get started.

Datasheets and Schematics

Related Resources

Expansion and Applications​

The XIAO series has a huge range of peripherals and peripheral accessories for you to learn and use, whether you want a colorful screen that allows for perfect interaction, an integrated board with bright and simple RGB lights, and so on, just waiting to be checked out.

As a member of the XIAO family, the XIAO RP2350 does the same. Of course, to make better use of the extra pins drawn out, new peripherals and boards will keep coming along, fully utilizing the performance for which it was created.

  • 🌟 Expanding with Accessories
    Discover the wide range of add-ons and modules compatible with the XIAO Family, from displays and LED matrices to Grove modules and sensors, and learn how they can enhance your projects.

Community and Learning​

Furthermore, dive into the vibrant Raspberry Pi community to expand your knowledge and discover new project ideas. Leverage community-shared resources, forums, and tutorials to enhance your experience with the XIAO RP2350. In addition to the Seeed Studio Wiki, here are a few other recommended places to learn:

  • Raspberry Pi Documentation: Get reliable and up-to-date info on the RP2350.
  • Raspberry Pi Forums: Engage with other enthusiasts, ask questions, and share your projects.
  • XIAO GitHub Repository: Explore the official XIAO repository for more centralized documentation and more interaction with our team, Join Us!
  • r/embedded on Reddit: Join the embedded systems community, share insights, and discuss various topics.
  • Pico Topic on GitHub: Explore repositories and discussions related to the Pico.
  • Hackster.io: Discover projects and tutorials related to various hardware platforms, including XIAO and Raspberry Pi.
  • Instructables: Find DIY projects and step-by-step guides for creating with XIAO and other hardware.
  • Element14 Community: Participate in discussions, webinars, and projects related to electronics and embedded systems.

And more, you're always welcome to share your projects on our Seeed Studio Discord and Seeed Studio Forum. These platforms provide an excellent opportunity to connect with other makers, get feedback, and find inspiration. Whether you need help troubleshooting an issue, want to show off your latest creation, or simply wish to be part of a supportive community, Seeed Studio's Discord and Forum are the perfect places to engage and collaborate.

Tech Support & Product Discussion​

Thank you for choosing our products! We are here to provide you with different support to ensure that your experience with our products is as smooth as possible. We offer several communication channels to cater to different preferences and needs.

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