The Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller, now powering the Raspberry Pi Pico 2 and other budget-friendly development boards, marks a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the RP2040. Released earlier this month, the RP2350 boasts enhanced performance with a faster processor, double the memory, and expanded I/O options.
Dual-Core Architecture: ARM and RISC-V #
The RP2350 introduces an exciting dual-core setup, featuring two ARM Cortex-M33 cores and two Hazard3 RISC-V cores. This innovative architecture allows users to choose between ARM and RISC-V at startup, broadening the scope of experimentation for developers.
Jesse Taube’s Achievement: Linux on RP2350 #
Independent developer Jesse Taube has achieved a major milestone by porting a minimal Linux distribution to the RP2350. This development is not only impressive for Raspberry Pi enthusiasts but also for the broader RISC-V community. The RP2350’s inclusion of both ARM and RISC-V cores opens new avenues for embedded applications and architecture comparisons.
Challenges and Solutions #
Running Linux on a microcontroller like the RP2350 is no easy feat. Microcontrollers generally lack a Memory Management Unit (MMU), essential for traditional Linux operations. To address this, Taube utilized NOMMU Linux, a stripped-down version designed for MMU-less environments. Additionally, with 520kB of SRAM, the RP2350’s resources were tight. Taube overcame this by leveraging up to 16MB of pseudo-static RAM (PSRAM) and 16MB of off-chip flash storage, providing just enough space for the minimal Linux system.
Implications for RISC-V and Microcontrollers #
Taube’s work highlights the potential of the Hazard3 RISC-V cores beyond mere experimentation. The successful deployment of Linux demonstrates their capability to handle real operating systems in constrained environments. This could encourage more developers to explore RISC-V for future projects, especially those valuing open-source, flexible architectures.
The dual-core nature of the RP2350 also allows for direct comparisons between ARM and RISC-V architectures. This feature could accelerate the adoption of RISC-V as its ecosystem continues to mature.
RP2350:Expanding Microcontroller Capabilities #
Taube’s project reveals that microcontrollers can exceed their traditional roles. By running Linux, the RP2350 demonstrates that these devices can support more complex applications. This advancement opens new possibilities for embedded systems, pushing the boundaries of what microcontrollers can achieve.
Conclusion #
Jesse Taube’s success in running Linux on the RP2350 is a significant step forward for both the RISC-V community and microcontroller technology. As these technologies evolve, we anticipate more groundbreaking developments in the embedded systems space, driven by innovations like the RP2350’s dual-core architecture.
