DesignForElectronics/week3

🔌 Microcontroller Comparison: ESP32 vs Arduino Nano vs RP2040

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📡 ESP32

Overview:
A powerful and cost-effective microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — perfect for IoT and wireless projects.

✅ Key Features:

• Processor: Dual-core Xtensa @ 240 MHz
• RAM: 520 KB internal
• Flash: 4 MB (external, typical)
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.2 (classic & BLE)
• GPIO & Peripherals: ADC, DAC, PWM, SPI, I2C, UART
• Special: Capacitive touch, hall sensor, temperature sensor
• Power: Low-power modes for battery operation

Common Uses:

• Smart home automation
• Wireless sensor networks
• Web-controlled devices
• Bluetooth-enabled wearables

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📏 Arduino Nano

Overview:
A compact, beginner-friendly microcontroller ideal for basic electronics and education.

✅ Key Features:

• Processor: 8-bit AVR ATmega328P @ 16 MHz
• RAM: 2 KB
• Flash: 32 KB
• EEPROM: 1 KB
• GPIO: 14 digital I/O, 6 PWM, 8 analog inputs
• USB: Mini-B for programming/power
• Size: 45 mm × 18 mm

Common Uses:

• Simple embedded systems
• Robotics and automation
• Learning electronics and C/C++ programming

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🧠 Raspberry Pi RP2040

Overview:
Raspberry Pi’s first microcontroller — versatile and high-performance, found in the Raspberry Pi Pico.

✅ Key Features:

• Processor: Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ @ 133 MHz
• RAM: 264 KB SRAM
• Flash: Up to 16 MB external (via QSPI)
• GPIO & Peripherals: 26 GPIO, PWM, ADC, I2C, SPI, UART
• Special: Programmable I/O (PIO) blocks for custom protocols
• USB: USB 1.1 device support
• Low Cost: ~$4 for Pico

Common Uses:

• Performance-heavy embedded projects
• USB device emulation (keyboards, MIDI)
• Robotics and motor control
• Custom protocols via PIO

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🔍 Summary Comparison Table

Feature	ESP32	Arduino Nano	Raspberry Pi RP2040
CPU	Dual-core @ 240 MHz	8-bit AVR @ 16 MHz	Dual-core @ 133 MHz
Architecture	Xtensa LX6	AVR	ARM Cortex-M0+
RAM	520 KB	2 KB	264 KB
Flash	4 MB (external)	32 KB	Up to 16 MB (external)
Wireless	Wi-Fi + Bluetooth	None	None
GPIO/PWM/ADC	Yes	Yes	Yes + PIO
USB Support	Yes (program/debug)	Yes (Mini-B)	Yes (USB device mode)
Price	~$5–10	~$3–5	~$4 (Pico)
Best For	IoT, wireless control	Beginners, prototyping	Flexibility, custom I/O

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