Raspberry Pi RP2040
I just ordered a couple $10 Wiznet W5100S eval boards from Mouser (on backorder). They have the RPi Pico chip and a smart ethernet interface. I also ordered an LCD hat for the Pico. Hoping they are compatible.
The intended project is as a power management controller in a ham radio repeater site.
Project scope
This is a controller, not a full Linux computer, so there is no ssh server, no bash shell.
Can I do the whole thing with micropython?
I think I want to define an API and talk to it exclusively via MQTT pub/sub messages.
- Track the Ubiquiti link, and reset the link if the remote sites go offline. Can the UBNT do that on its own?
- Bring up power to the other components and shut down when not needed to save power.
- Real time clock calibrated via SNTP
- Use hardware WDT to reset the Pico if it gets stuck.
- Monitor a UPS over the USB port.
- Monitor and reset the onboard ethernet hardware if it gets stuck.
- Configure IP settings in flash. Initial address is 192.168.100.1.
- OTA flash updates
The "other components" under control include a FlexRadio and a Windows computer. Incidentally -- Intel NUC has its own built in hardware WDT.
Power - Need a regulated clean supply to feed it 3v3 from 12v power. Just a linear?
Resources
Pico
Python
CircuitPython -- make sure you download the Feather version, the Rpi Pico version does not work. Adafruit recommends you use the latest image, not the stable one.
Micropython
Wiznet
Wiznet did a WiFi + Pico EVB, too, but I can't find it for sale anywhere. https://github.com/Wiznet/WizFi360-EVB-Pico-C/blob/main/getting_started.md
