Group Assignment:
We learnt about different toolchains of different microcontrollers from different computer architectures. Along with that we compared our results to Rasberry Pi also, which is a full fledged computer rather than a microcontroller.
Here is the link for the group assignment: https://fabacademy.org/2026/labs/kochi/group_assignmetns/week04/
This week we explored XIAO RP2040 microcontroller by first inspecting it's datasheet and programming and simulating
it via Arduino IDE.
Individual Assignment:
XIAO RP2040
XIAO RP2040is a tiny microcontroller board made by Seeed Studio, using the RP2040 chip (from Raspberry Pi).It features a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor running up to 133 MHz, 2 MB of flash memory, and 264 KB of SRAM. The board includes 11 GPIO pins that support digital input/output, analog input (ADC), PWM, I2C, SPI, and UART communication.
The board provides 11 GPIO pins that support multiple communication and control interfaces, including:
Digital input and output
Analog input (ADC)
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
I2C communication
SPI communication
UART communication
The board uses a USB-C connector for programming and power supply. Due to its compact size and versatile features, it is well suited for embedded systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, robotics applications, and wearable electronics. The XIAO RP2040 can be programmed using Arduino, MicroPython, CircuitPython, or C/C++.
XIAO ESP32-C6
ESP32-C6 is a low-power microcontroller developed by Espressif that includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It uses a 32-bit RISC-V processor and is designed for wireless applications such as IoT devices, smart home systems, and robotics. The XIAO ESP32-C6 is a low-power microcontroller developed by Espressif that includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It uses a 32-bit RISC-V processor and is specifically designed for wireless applications.
This microcontroller is suitable for applications such as:
IoT systems
Smart home devices
Robotics
The ESP32-C6 can connect directly to the internet and control external components such as sensors, motors, and LEDs. It can also communicate with web servers and cloud platforms without requiring a wired connection. It supports GPIO, ADC, PWM, SPI, I2C, UART, and USB interfaces, making it ideal for fully wireless embedded systems like a desktop companion robot.
XIAO ESP32C6 Pin List
The Arduino IDE is used to write, compile, and upload programs to microcontrollers. To learn about the arduino basic function, check out this Website.
Go to - Arduino IDE
to install and follow the given steps:
Downloaded and installed the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.
Go to "select board" panel on top of the page
select the board of your choice
After completing these steps, the Arduino IDE was ready for programming.
I have listed some definitions for some terms used in programming:
Function: A block of code that performs a specific task and reused at different parts of the code, eg: sleep in Micropython
Class: A 'blueprint' for creating objects, eg: Pin in Micropython
Object: A specific implementation of the class, with variables containing data specific to that object
Module: A file containing multiple Python functions, classes, and variables. eg: machine
Loop: A loop is used to repeatedly execute a block of code until a specified condition is met.
Example:
while True: in Python
void loop() in Arduino
If no condition is specified, the loop runs indefinitely (infinite loop).
Program 1: Controlling an external LED
Language: C/C++
Microcontroller: RP2040
Board: Rasberry Pi Pico
Environment: ARDUINO IDE
#define creates a constant named USER_LED_G.
It assigns the value 16, which is the GPIO pin number where the LED is connected.
This makes the code easier to read and modify.
setup() runs only once when:
- The board is powered on, or
- The reset button is pressed.
pinMode() sets the pin mode.
OUTPUT → sets pin 16 as an output pin.
loop() runs continuously forever. This is where the main program runs repeatedly.
digitalWrite() sends voltage to the pin.
HIGH means ON (3.3V)
delay pauses the program.
1000 milliseconds = 1 second
Language: C/C++
Microcontroller: RP2040
Board: Rasberry Pi Pico
Environment: ARDUINO IDE
Following is the commented code for the program:
Program 3: Controlling an LED using button
Language: C/C++
Microcontroller: RP2040
Board: Rasberry Pi Pico
Environment: ARDUINO IDE
Following is the commented code for the program:
XIAO RP2040is a tiny microcontroller board made by Seeed Studio, using the RP2040 chip (from Raspberry Pi).It features a dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor running up to 133 MHz, 2 MB of flash memory, and 264 KB of SRAM. The board includes 11 GPIO pins that support digital input/output, analog input (ADC), PWM, I2C, SPI, and UART communication.
The board provides 11 GPIO pins that support multiple communication and control interfaces, including:
Digital input and output
Analog input (ADC)
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation)
I2C communication
SPI communication
UART communication
The board uses a USB-C connector for programming and power supply. Due to its compact size and versatile features, it is well suited for embedded systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, robotics applications, and wearable electronics. The XIAO RP2040 can be programmed using Arduino, MicroPython, CircuitPython, or C/C++.
Hardware Overview
XIAO ESP32-C6
ESP32-C6 is a low-power microcontroller developed by Espressif that includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It uses a 32-bit RISC-V processor and is designed for wireless applications such as IoT devices, smart home systems, and robotics. The XIAO ESP32-C6 is a low-power microcontroller developed by Espressif that includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It uses a 32-bit RISC-V processor and is specifically designed for wireless applications.
This microcontroller is suitable for applications such as:
IoT systems
Smart home devices
Robotics
The ESP32-C6 can connect directly to the internet and control external components such as sensors, motors, and LEDs. It can also communicate with web servers and cloud platforms without requiring a wired connection. It supports GPIO, ADC, PWM, SPI, I2C, UART, and USB interfaces, making it ideal for fully wireless embedded systems like a desktop companion robot.
XIAO ESP32C6 Pin List
The Arduino IDE is used to write, compile, and upload programs to microcontrollers. To learn about the arduino basic function, check out this Website.
Installing ARDUINO IDE
Go to - Arduino IDE
to install and follow the given steps:
Downloaded and installed the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.
Go to "select board" panel on top of the page
select the board of your choice
After completing these steps, the Arduino IDE was ready for programming.
I have listed some definitions for some terms used in programming:
Function: A block of code that performs a specific task and reused at different parts of the code, eg: sleep in Micropython
Class: A 'blueprint' for creating objects, eg: Pin in Micropython
Object: A specific implementation of the class, with variables containing data specific to that object
Module: A file containing multiple Python functions, classes, and variables. eg: machine
Loop: A loop is used to repeatedly execute a block of code until a specified condition is met.
Example:
while True: in Python
void loop() in Arduino
If no condition is specified, the loop runs indefinitely (infinite loop).
Program 1: Controlling an external LED
Language: C/C++
Microcontroller: RP2040
Board: Rasberry Pi Pico
Environment: ARDUINO IDE
#define creates a constant named USER_LED_G.
It assigns the value 16, which is the GPIO pin number where the LED is connected.
This makes the code easier to read and modify.
setup() runs only once when:
- The board is powered on, or
- The reset button is pressed.
pinMode() sets the pin mode.
OUTPUT → sets pin 16 as an output pin.
loop() runs continuously forever. This is where the main program runs repeatedly.
digitalWrite() sends voltage to the pin.
HIGH means ON (3.3V)
delay pauses the program.
1000 milliseconds = 1 second
Program 2: Controlling multiple LEDs
Language: C/C++
Microcontroller: RP2040
Board: Rasberry Pi Pico
Environment: ARDUINO IDE
Following is the commented code for the program:
Program 3: Controlling an LED using button
Language: C/C++
Microcontroller: RP2040
Board: Rasberry Pi Pico
Environment: ARDUINO IDE
Following is the commented code for the program:
THONNY - Python IDE
Thonny is an integrated development environment (IDE) developed by the THONNY IDE team, tailored for beginners eager to learn Python programming. This free and open-source software provides a simplified solution to coding challenges, enabling users to focus on mastering the fundamentals of Python without unnecessary distractions. With its emphasis on ease of use, Thonny stands out as a key resource for novices entering the world of coding. This software is an ideal starting point for beginners or educators seeking a clear, visual, and accessible coding language.Installing THONNY
Clink on THONNY IDEto install THONNY and also to find information regarding the software.
It will take you to the following page:
Click on download, after downloading this is how the page looks like:
The following is the code run to blink various lights on the XIAO RP2040 board:
Output:
The following are the main difference between both Enviorments:
