Optimize battery use for the Raspberry Pi Pico

Power Saver

© Lead Image © Julia Burlachenko, 123RF.com

© Lead Image © Julia Burlachenko, 123RF.com

Article from Issue 265/2022
Author(s):

The Raspberry Pi Pico's high-performance chip is trimmed for I/O and does not try to save power. However, a few tricks in battery mode can keep it running longer.

A large number of pins, variable voltage input, and good community support are what make the Raspberry Pi Pico a popular single-board computer (SBC) for newcomers and professionals alike. Just connect it to your PC over USB and get started, power supply included.

When you want the Pico to run autonomously, you will need to face the question of how long the battery supply will last. Like most microcontrollers, the Pi Pico requires comparatively little power, but it has limitations when it comes to operating continuously on battery operation, not least because it continues to consume power during sleep periods. A few tricks will help you reduce the power consumption in these phases to extend the battery runtime.

Whenever you read "Pico," it also applies to other microcontrollers, either because they directly support CircuitPython (a software implementation of the Python 3 programming language used here and targeted toward beginners), or because everything also works in the same way with C/C++.

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Light Painting

    In the photographic method of light painting, you expose a subject over an extended period of time while moving the light sources. With a little technical support from a Raspberry Pi Pico, you can achieve sophisticated results.

  • Bluetooth Communication

    We use a Raspberry Pi, a Pi Pico, and a smartphone to communicate over Bluetooth.

  • Bluetooth LE

    Bluetooth Low Energy is ideal for networking battery-powered sensors. We show you how to use it on the Raspberry Pi.

  • Saving Power

    Save power by choosing the right system and software configuration.

  • Power Tests

    Klaus sorts out fact and fiction in the debate on saving power with some real-world tests.

comments powered by Disqus

Direct Download

Read full article as PDF:

Price $2.95

Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

News