Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect: Dual-Core Power with WiFi

When Raspberry Pi released the RP2040 microcontroller, it created quite a buzz in the embedded community. But as a PCB engineer who regularly designs IoT devices, I found the original Pico lacking one critical feature: wireless connectivity. That’s exactly why the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect caught my attention—it combines the dual-core RP2040 with WiFi and Bluetooth in the compact Nano form factor.

The Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect is essentially what the Raspberry Pi Pico should have been for IoT applications. With two processors working in parallel, robust wireless connectivity, onboard sensors, and the familiar Arduino ecosystem, this board has become my go-to choice for connected embedded projects.

What is the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect?

The Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect brings together the best of both worlds: Raspberry Pi’s powerful RP2040 silicon and Arduino’s connectivity expertise. At its heart, you’ll find the dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ processor running at 133MHz, paired with a u-blox NINA-W102 module that provides WiFi and Bluetooth capability.

What makes this board particularly interesting is that it actually contains two microcontrollers. The RP2040 handles main processing tasks, while the ESP32-based NINA-W102 manages all wireless communication. This architecture means your main code runs uninterrupted while network operations happen on dedicated hardware.

Despite packing all this capability, the board maintains the standard Nano footprint at just 45mm × 18mm. It plugs directly into a breadboard, works with existing Nano shields and adapters, and supports both Arduino IDE and MicroPython programming.

Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect Technical Specifications

Understanding the hardware specifications helps you determine if this board fits your project requirements and how to interface it properly.

Core Specifications Table

Parameter	Specification
Main Processor	Raspberry Pi RP2040
Architecture	Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+
Clock Speed	133 MHz
Flash Memory	16 MB (external)
SRAM	264 KB
Wireless Module	u-blox NINA-W102 (ESP32-based)
WiFi	802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth	BLE 4.2
Operating Voltage	3.3V
Input Voltage (VIN)	5-21V
Digital I/O Pins	20
PWM Pins	20 (all digital except A6, A7)
Analog Input Pins	8 (12-bit ADC)
USB	Micro-USB
Dimensions	45 × 18 mm

Dual-Core Architecture Explained

The RP2040’s dual-core design opens possibilities that single-core microcontrollers simply can’t match. Each ARM Cortex-M0+ core operates independently at up to 133MHz, allowing true parallel processing.

Core 0 typically runs your main application logic, while Core 1 can handle time-critical tasks like sensor polling, display updates, or communication protocols. The 264KB of SRAM is divided into six independent banks, enabling both cores to access memory simultaneously without conflicts.

For IoT applications, this means you can maintain responsive user interfaces while processing sensor data and handling network communication—all without the timing conflicts that plague single-core solutions.

Built-in Sensors and Features

The Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect includes several onboard components that enable immediate project development without external modules.

Onboard Components Table

Component	Chip	Function
6-Axis IMU	LSM6DSOX	Accelerometer + Gyroscope with ML core
Microphone	MP34DT06JTR	Omnidirectional MEMS (PDM output)
Crypto Chip	ATECC608A	Secure key storage, encryption
RGB LED	–	Common anode, controlled via NINA

IMU with Machine Learning Core

The LSM6DSOX isn’t just another accelerometer and gyroscope—it includes a dedicated machine learning core that can recognize motion patterns directly on the sensor. This feature enables gesture detection, step counting, and activity recognition without burdening the main processor.

Digital Microphone

The MP34DT06JTR MEMS microphone outputs audio in PDM (Pulse Density Modulation) format with a 64dB signal-to-noise ratio. Combined with the RP2040’s processing power, this enables voice recognition, sound detection, and audio analysis applications.

Cryptographic Security

The ATECC608A cryptographic coprocessor provides hardware-based security for IoT applications. It stores up to 16 encryption keys or certificates in tamper-resistant memory, enabling secure cloud connections without exposing credentials in your code.

Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect Pinout

The board maintains compatibility with the classic Nano pinout while adding capabilities specific to the RP2040 architecture.

Pin Configuration Table

Pin	Function	Notes
D0-D13	Digital I/O	All support PWM and interrupts
A0-A3	Analog Input	Connected to RP2040 ADC (12-bit)
A4-A5	Analog/I2C	SDA/SCL with internal pull-ups
A6-A7	Analog Input	Connected to NINA module ADC
VIN	Power Input	5-21V DC input
3V3	3.3V Output	Regulated power output
GND	Ground	Multiple ground pins available
RST	Reset	Active LOW reset

Important Pin Considerations

Analog Pins A4-A7: These pins route through the NINA-W102 module rather than directly to the RP2040. While they provide 12-bit resolution like A0-A3, they involve the ESP32’s ADC, which may have slightly different characteristics.

I2C Bus: Pins A4 (SDA) and A5 (SCL) include internal 4.7kΩ pull-up resistors and connect to onboard peripherals. Using these pins for analog input is not recommended.

RGB LED Control: The onboard RGB LED connects to the NINA module, not the RP2040. You must include the WiFiNINA library to control it, even if you’re not using wireless features.

WiFi and Bluetooth Connectivity

The u-blox NINA-W102 module transforms the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect into a full-featured IoT device.

Wireless Specifications

Feature	Specification
WiFi Standard	802.11 b/g/n
WiFi Frequency	2.4 GHz
WiFi Security	WEP, WPA/WPA2 Personal/Enterprise
Bluetooth	BLE 4.2
Antenna	Integrated PCB antenna
Range	Up to 100m (open space)

WiFi Access Point Example

The board can function as either a WiFi client (connecting to existing networks) or as an access point (creating its own network). Here’s how to create a simple web server:

#include <WiFiNINA.h>

char ssid[] = “NanoRP2040AP”;

char pass[] = “12345678”;

WiFiServer server(80);

void setup() {

  Serial.begin(115200);

  WiFi.beginAP(ssid, pass);

  delay(5000);

  server.begin();

  Serial.print(“AP IP: “);

  Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());

}

void loop() {

  WiFiClient client = server.available();

  if (client) {

    // Handle web requests

  }

}

This creates a wireless access point that any device can connect to, enabling remote control of your projects via web interface.

Programming the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect

The board supports multiple programming environments, giving you flexibility based on your preferences and project requirements.

Development Environment Options

Environment	Best For
Arduino IDE 2.x	Traditional Arduino development
Arduino Cloud	IoT projects with dashboard
MicroPython	Python-based development
CircuitPython	Adafruit ecosystem integration
OpenMV	Machine vision projects

Arduino IDE Setup

1. Install Arduino IDE 2.x
2. Open Tools → Board → Boards Manager
3. Search for “Arduino Mbed OS Nano Boards”
4. Install the package
5. Select Tools → Board → Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect
6. Install WiFiNINA library for wireless features

Bootloader Recovery

If uploads fail or the board becomes unresponsive, double-tap the RESET button quickly. This enters bootloader mode, allowing recovery even with corrupted sketches. A pulsing LED indicates bootloader mode is active.

Practical Project Ideas

The combination of dual-core processing, wireless connectivity, and onboard sensors enables diverse applications.

Beginner Projects

WiFi-Controlled RGB LED: Create a web interface to control the onboard RGB LED from any browser. Learn web server basics and HTTP request handling.

Wireless Sensor Monitor: Read temperature from an external sensor and display values on a web dashboard accessible from your phone.

Intermediate Projects

Voice-Activated Controller: Use the onboard microphone to detect specific sounds or simple voice commands, triggering actions via WiFi.

Motion-Tracking IoT Device: Combine IMU data with WiFi to create a wireless motion tracker that sends orientation data to cloud platforms.

Advanced Projects

Edge Machine Learning: Train gesture recognition models using the LSM6DSOX’s ML core and deploy them for real-time inference.

Secure IoT Gateway: Build a secure sensor hub using the ATECC608A crypto chip for encrypted cloud communication.

Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect vs Raspberry Pi Pico W

Both boards use the RP2040, but they serve different purposes.

Feature	Nano RP2040 Connect	Raspberry Pi Pico W
Processor	RP2040 (133MHz)	RP2040 (133MHz)
Flash	16 MB	2 MB
SRAM	264 KB	264 KB
WiFi	Yes (NINA-W102)	Yes (CYW43439)
Bluetooth	BLE 4.2	BLE 5.2
IMU	LSM6DSOX (6-axis + ML)	None
Microphone	Yes (PDM)	None
Crypto Chip	ATECC608A	None
Form Factor	Arduino Nano	Raspberry Pi Pico
Price	~$27	~$6

Choose Nano RP2040 Connect when: You need onboard sensors, Arduino ecosystem compatibility, crypto security, or the Nano form factor.

Choose Pico W when: Budget is the primary concern and you don’t need onboard sensors or Arduino compatibility.

Useful Resources for Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect

Resource	Description
Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect Documentation	Official specs and tutorials
Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect Datasheet	Complete technical reference
RP2040 Datasheet	Processor documentation
WiFiNINA Library Reference	Wireless programming guide
Arduino Project Hub	Community projects and tutorials
Arduino Cloud	IoT dashboard platform

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect 5V tolerant?

No. The Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect operates at 3.3V and is NOT 5V tolerant. Applying 5V to any GPIO pin will damage the board. Use logic level shifters when interfacing with 5V components. The VIN pin accepts 5-21V input, but this goes through a voltage regulator before reaching the processor.

Can I program both cores of the RP2040?

Yes, but with considerations. Using the Arduino framework, both cores are accessible, though Core 1 typically handles system tasks. For full dual-core control, consider using the Raspberry Pi Pico SDK directly or MicroPython, which provides explicit multi-core programming support.

Why does the RGB LED require the WiFiNINA library?

The onboard RGB LED connects to the NINA-W102 module (ESP32), not directly to the RP2040. The WiFiNINA library provides the communication bridge between the RP2040 and the NINA module, which is necessary to control the LED even if you’re not using wireless features.

How do I get 5V output from the board?

By default, the 5V pin is not connected. To enable 5V output when powered via USB, you must solder the VUSB jumper on the bottom of the board. Note that 5V is only available when powered through USB, not when using VIN.

Can I use MicroPython with the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect?

Yes. The board fully supports MicroPython and CircuitPython. Flash the appropriate firmware, then program using Thonny IDE or any Python-compatible editor. The WiFi functionality requires specific MicroPython libraries for the NINA-W102 module.

Conclusion

The Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect successfully bridges the gap between the powerful RP2040 processor and the connected world of IoT. Its dual-core architecture, combined with WiFi, Bluetooth, onboard sensors, and cryptographic security, creates a remarkably capable development platform in the familiar Nano form factor.

For IoT projects that demand processing power, wireless connectivity, and quick development cycles, this board delivers exceptional value. The Arduino ecosystem provides extensive library support and community resources, while MicroPython compatibility offers alternative programming approaches for Python enthusiasts.

Whether you’re building a wireless sensor network, creating voice-controlled devices, or exploring edge machine learning, the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect provides the hardware foundation and software flexibility to bring your ideas to life. Start with simple WiFi experiments, then progressively leverage the dual-core architecture and onboard sensors for increasingly sophisticated applications.

The future of embedded IoT development is connected, intelligent, and compact—and the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect embodies all three qualities in one powerful little board.