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RP2040 Programming - Arduino C++

Preparation

Arduino C++ provides a simple and intuitive framework for programming microcontrollers. This section guides you through setting up the Arduino IDE to program the RP2040.

Follow these steps to set up your development environment:

  • Install the Arduino IDE.

Download and install the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.

  • Add RP2040 board support to Arduino IDE.

Open Arduino IDE, navigate to: File → Preferences.

In the "Additional Boards Manager URLs" field, add the following URL: 

https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/global/package_rp2040_index.json

Click OK to save the settings.

  • Install the RP2040 package.

Navigate to: Tools → Board → Boards Manager.

Search for "pico" or "rp2040" in the search box.

Find "Raspberry Pi Pico/RP2040" by Earle F. Philhower, III , then click Install.

Wait for the installation to complete. The download process may take time, depending on your network speed.

  • Select the board.

After installation, navigate to: Tools → Board → Raspberry Pi RP2040 Boards → Select Raspberry Pi Pico.

Upload the First Sketch

For the first upload, you must manually put the RP2040 into bootloader mode. This section uses the built-in "Blink" example to demonstrate the process.

  • Open the Arduino IDE.

  • In the Arduino IDE, navigate to File → Examples → Basics → Blink.

  • Verify that the Raspberry Pi Pico board is selected.

  • Enter bootloader mode.

Press and hold the BOOTSEL button, then press and release the RST button. Finally release the BOOTSEL button. The OS will now detect the RP2040 as a new USB Mass Storage Device (like a flash drive). It will typically appear with the name RPI-RP2.

  • Select the upload port.

Navigate to: Tools → Port → Select UF2 Board. After the first upload, this is not necessary as the arduino-pico core has auto-reset support. Select the appropriate serial port shown in the Arduino Tools->Port->Serial Port menu once.

  • Click the Upload button to upload the code to the RP2040.

    Wait for the upload process to complete. You should see "Done uploading" in the status bar.

  • The blue LED on the top of the Iota board will begin flashing on and off at 1-second intervals.

Upload Subsequent Sketches

After the first upload, the arduino-pico core enables an auto-reset feature, which simplifies future uploads. You no longer need to enter bootloader mode manually.

  • Select the Serial Port

Connect your board. Navigate to Tools → Port and select the serial port corresponding to your RP2040 (e.g., COM3 or /dev/ttyACM0).

  • Upload your code

With your new sketch open, simply click the Upload button. The Arduino IDE will automatically handle the reset and upload process.

Language Reference

Arduino C++ Language Reference

Arduino-Pico Core Documentation

Arduino-Pico Core Library

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