Pimoroni Pico Plus 2 - running at 1V8

Discussion Raspberry Pi
1

A very nice board, I like it, esp. the larger version RP2350B, with more pins available.
Just: I want to run all I/Os with 1V8. The chip is capable to do (VDDIO = 1V8, just keep USB and maybe ADC_IOVDD at 3V3).

A solder option to power IOVDD with 1V8 would be very nice (even external LDO). And place a 3V3…1V8 FLASH and PSRAM on the board.
Otherwise, I need so many level shifters (I need all GPIO signals as 1V8).

Thank you.

2

I believe Pimoroni will take commission work. It might cost you a bit more than a few logic-level shifters. 😁

You should try working with the PIC diehards. It ain’t real if it ain’t 5V. 🙄

3

Hmmm, we would need tens of such boards running at 1V8… So, company would pay for a simple PCB mod where 1V8 is possible (should be easy to separate VDD traces and to have option to provide 1V8, externally).
I see increasingly a need to run boards and setup with 1V8. Just a question: if chip can do, why it is not “considered” (as PCB option)?

It is not hobbyist stuff where we need (instead: testing our chips as a chip manufacturer in our lab, with MCUs as test vehicles). PIC is not an option (never used before, our infrastructure is based on STM32 and BRCM “family” chips are highly welcome).

4

I think there are a number of Open Hardware designs available for the RP2040. Why not do your own?

5

Sure, I want to use the new RP2350, for two reasons:

  • it has 3x PIO (which I would need for 3 special interfaces, e.g. MDIO)
  • it has internal SRAM and announced to have also internal flash (which makes it easier to
    to design a board (and running at 1V8 eliminates all level shifters, makes the timing for interfaces “faster”)

We will see.
I stick with new RP2350, hoping to get bare chips before end of 2024. I would need anyway our own PCB, so waiting for chips.