3 ms·

> Things I don't like: power consumption I understand it could use ~0.08W, given it draws 3.3V at ~24mA... I am not a specialist, is that a lot? Ref.: https:/

by mdp2021 2y ago

> Things I don't like: power consumption I understand it could use ~0.08W, given it draws 3.3V at ~24mA... I am not a specialist, is that a lot? Ref.: https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/rp2040-thing-plus-hookup-guide/all https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/rp2040-thing-plus-hooku...

dragontamer 2y ago
TI's MSPM0G350x (also a low-cost Cortex-M0+ design) runs full-tilt at 8mA, STOP-sleeps at 400uA, STANDBY-sleeps at 5uA, and SHUTDOWN-sleeps at 80nA. https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/mspm0g3507-q1.pdf https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/mspm0g3507-q1.pdf -------- RP2040's full-speed is okay. 20+mA is a lot but it is easily explained by the absurdly huge SRAM banks it has. But RP2040's sleep states are absolutely AWFUL. The Cortex-M0+ chips are all extremely power-competitive vs each other, because Cortex-M0+ is extremely low-end with regards to core-design. You're pretty much only getting a Cortex-M0+ because its the absolute minimum 32-bit processor on the market. (8-bitters and 4-bitters exist if you're willing to go even lower-end, but Cortex-M0+ is the bottom of ARM's offerings). So low-power seems to be a must in this market, IMO anyway. If you're willing to use higher amounts of power, you really should get a few more features, like an FPU on the Cortex-M4.
seba_dos1 2y ago
Yes, it's a lot. It will empty a 1000mAh battery in about two days. In sleep states, you'll find it challenging to reach a single month on RP2040 while you can build things with other controllers that would last years on the same battery.
vbezhenar 2y ago
The main issue is that there's no low power sleep mode. There are sleep modes, but they consume tremendous amount of power, so there's no way to build a battery-powered device.
15155 2y ago
Ambiq Apollo4s run at <1mA from RAM. Lots of variables go into this figure, but 24mA isn't great.

dragontamer 2y ago

TI's MSPM0G350x (also a low-cost Cortex-M0+ design) runs full-tilt at 8mA, STOP-sleeps at 400uA, STANDBY-sleeps at 5uA, and SHUTDOWN-sleeps at 80nA. https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/mspm0g3507-q1.pdf https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/mspm0g3507-q1.pdf -------- RP2040's full-speed is okay. 20+mA is a lot but it is easily explained by the absurdly huge SRAM banks it has. But RP2040's sleep states are absolutely AWFUL. The Cortex-M0+ chips are all extremely power-competitive vs each other, because Cortex-M0+ is extremely low-end with regards to core-design. You're pretty much only getting a Cortex-M0+ because its the absolute minimum 32-bit processor on the market. (8-bitters and 4-bitters exist if you're willing to go even lower-end, but Cortex-M0+ is the bottom of ARM's offerings). So low-power seems to be a must in this market, IMO anyway. If you're willing to use higher amounts of power, you really should get a few more features, like an FPU on the Cortex-M4.

seba_dos1 2y ago

Yes, it's a lot. It will empty a 1000mAh battery in about two days. In sleep states, you'll find it challenging to reach a single month on RP2040 while you can build things with other controllers that would last years on the same battery.

vbezhenar 2y ago

The main issue is that there's no low power sleep mode. There are sleep modes, but they consume tremendous amount of power, so there's no way to build a battery-powered device.

15155 2y ago

Ambiq Apollo4s run at <1mA from RAM. Lots of variables go into this figure, but 24mA isn't great.