Adafruit Feather RP2040 SCORPIO, 8 Channel NeoPixel Driver, 5650

Adafruit presents the Feather RP2040 SCORPIO, an innovative and versatile board specifically designed for driving NeoPixels (WS2812 LEDs) and for other PIO-based projects. This board leverages the powerful 'PIO' peripheral of the RP2040 from Raspberry Pi, enabling it to drive large quantities of NeoPixels efficiently and with precision.

Key Features:

1. Powerful RP2040 Processor: At its core, the SCORPIO features the RP2040, a 32-bit Cortex M0+ dual-core processor running at approximately 125 MHz. This processor ensures smooth and efficient handling of various tasks.

2. Ample Memory: With 264 KB RAM and an 8 MB SPI FLASH chip for file and code storage, the board can easily handle large numbers of NeoPixels, offering extensive buffering capabilities and even allowing for pixel dithering for enhanced brightness control and gamma correction.

3. Versatile PIO State Machine: The RP2040’s PIO state machine is adept at generating perfect waveforms for LED driving, capable of managing up to 8 outputs concurrently via DMA. This frees up the processor for other tasks like button reading or running CircuitPython.

4. Flexible I/O Options: The SCORPIO comes with 21 GPIO pins, including 8 consecutive GPIO outputs with 5V level shifting for NeoPixel driving. It also features standard I2C, SPI, and UART lines, as well as 16 PWM outputs.

5. Built-In Charging and Connectivity: The board includes a built-in 200mA+ lipoly charger with an LED indicator, a USB Type C connector for easy programming and debugging, and a STEMMA QT connector for solder-free connections to a wide range of I2C devices.

6. Additional Features: The SCORPIO is equipped with a 3.3V regulator with 500mA peak output, a 12 MHz crystal for precise timing, a pin #13 red LED, an RGB NeoPixel, and mounting holes for secure installation.

7. User-Friendly Design: Measuring 2.0" x 0.9" x 0.28" and weighing just 5 grams, this board is compact and lightweight. It also includes a reset button, bootloader select button, and a 3.3V power/enable pin for enhanced usability.

8. Programming Support: Adafruit offers NeoPXL8 driver code for both Arduino and CircuitPython, allowing users to start creating with the SCORPIO right away.

The Adafruit Feather RP2040 SCORPIO is an ideal choice for makers and hobbyists looking to explore the realms of LED art, interactive installations, and advanced electronic projects, thanks to its powerful features and ease of use.