SEEED XIAO SAMD21 or SEEED XIAO RP2040

Projects Networking, Protocols, and Devices
1

I need a small microcontroller board for a project where I don't need WiFi or Bluetooth and came across the SAMD21 and the RP2040 from SEEED. The latter being the cheaper one but seems more powerful would be my thoughts, but is there anything I need to consider. Also what is the best boards package to install. I do have a SEEED XIAO ESP32C3, as long as I do not switch on WiFi or Bluetooth, could I safely use that without the antenna.

As always, thank you in advance, any advice would be much appreciated.

2

Yes, if you don't have some specific reason to go with other boards, just keep C3 and use it without wireless turned on.

If you want to try those others, RP offers more for the money. SAM has less resources but excellent analog.

3

I use the SAMD21 with a RPi as the A/D converter. Connect the two with i2c and I get 9 A/D channels (or 8 and a D/A converter).

4

Yes. I have used it this way in several projects. With its memory and cpu speed it is an excellent choice when you only need limited i/o.

5

Many thanks for the replies, good to know that I can use the ESP32C3 without the antenna if required, but I think I will order a couple of the RP2040s, does anyone one know the best boards package to use?

6

Go with arduino-pico package. You can follow XIAO wiki.

7

Thanks for the info. Before I saw your post I managed to find the "Raspberry Pi Pico/RP2040.2350" package and have installed that. The only other package I could find was "Arduino Mbed OS RP2040 Boards". I will have a look through the Wiki for the "Arduino-Pico" package.

8

@kmin

From the Wiki, it seems like I have the correct package. Thanks again!

9

It's the one from Earle Philhower, called also "arduino-pico"

10

Yeah got it thanks!

11

You're welcome.
I was typing while you posted.

SierraGolfMike 12

:+1: