Challenger+ RP2350 WiFi6/BLE5

The Challenger development board has the new dual-core Cortex-M33/RISCV RP2350 MCU from Raspberry Pi and the ESP32-C6 network module. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, providing fast and reliable wireless communication.

It also comes with 8MB Flash memory and 8MB RAM, giving significant storage and memory capacity for handling complex tasks and large datasets. This makes it ideal for more advanced and data-heavy projects. With the included ESP32-C6 module, you gain Wi-Fi 6 and BLE 5.4 capabilities, and the high-speed SPI communication provides quick data transfers and low-latency network operations, making it suitable for time-sensitive projects. 

For portable projects, the board is equipped with a compact 1.25 mm (MX125/PicoBlade compatible) JST connector, allowing you to easily connect a rechargeable LiPo battery – just make sure it has a 1.25mm connector as standard LiPo batteries use PH2.0. An internal battery charger circuit is included, so your battery charges whenever a USB-C cable is inserted. It has many peripherals, including USB, GPIOs, ADCs, DACs, PWM, SPI, I2C, UART, and PIO, providing the flexibility needed to connect with various sensors, actuators, and modules.

External antenna connector – IPEX3 (Optional)

The IPEX3 connector, also known as the I-PEX MHF III connector, is a micro RF coaxial connector commonly used for connecting antennas to wireless devices. Its compact size and low-profile design make it ideal for applications where space is limited, such as smartphones, laptops, and IoT devices.

The IPEX3 connector supports high-frequency signals, typically up to 6 GHz, making it suitable for modern wireless communication protocols like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LTE. It is designed for secure, snap-on mating with a corresponding jack, ensuring a stable RF connection. Despite its small size, it provides a robust and reliable connection for both high-frequency and low-power signals, minimizing signal loss and interference.

This board comes in two options. Board only and with an IPEX3 Connector. Please select which one you’d like before adding it to your cart!

Features

• Powered by RP2350 MCU: At the heart of the Challenger+ RP2350 WiFi6/BLE5 board lies the RP2350, a new powerful microcontroller from Raspberry Pi. With its advanced architecture, enhanced processing capabilities, and robust peripheral support, the RP2350 is designed to deliver exceptional performance for a wide range of applications.
• 8MB Flash and 8MB RAM: The Challenger+ RP2350 WiFi6/BLE5 board is equipped with an impressive 8MByte Flash memory and 8MByte RAM, providing ample storage and memory for complex applications and large datasets. This substantial memory capacity enables the development of more sophisticated and data-intensive projects without compromise.
• ESP32-C6 WiFi/BLE module: With the ESP32-C6 network module you get high-performance WiFi6 and BLE5.4 functionality right from the start. High-speed SPI communication warrants high-speed data transfers and low-latency network operations.
• Rich Peripheral Set: Equipped with a comprehensive set of peripherals such as USB, GPIOs, ADCs, DACs, PWM, SPI, I2C, UART, PIO and a heck of a lot more the Challenger+ RP2350 WiFi6/BLE5 board provides the flexibility needed to interface with numerous sensors, actuators, and modules.
• High Performance and Efficiency: Leveraging the RP2350’s high clock speed, low power consumption, and advanced power management features, the WiFi6/BLE5 Board ensures optimal performance while maintaining energy efficiency, making it suitable for both high-performance and battery-powered applications.
• User-Friendly Development Environment: The Challenger+ RP2350 WiFi6/BLE5 Board is fully compatible with popular development tools and environments, including the Raspberry Pi Pico SDK, MicroPython, and Arduino IDE. This allows for a smooth and intuitive development experience, reducing time to market and accelerating project development.
• Compact and Robust Design: Featuring a compact form factor and robust construction, the Challenger+ RP2350 WiFi6/BLE5 board is designed to withstand the rigours of both development and deployment. Its durable build ensures reliable operation in various environmental conditions.
• Raspberry Pi compatible SWD debug connector for easy connection to the picoprobe. On this board, this connector is located on the bottom side of the board.

Specifications

Resources

• Datasheet
• Schematic
• ESP32-C6 module documentation

Getting Started

Using the Arduino environment

Just like with our RP2040-based boards we’ve teamed up with Earle F. Philhower to provide Arduino support for our RP2350-based boards. Instructions on how to install and downloads are available from here: https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico

Raspberry Pi pico-sdk support

This board is supported natively by the Raspberry Pi pico-sdk. Read more here and try the examples out.

Circuitpython/Micropython

Support for Circuitpython is now available for this board. You can download the latest version from here: https://adafruit-circuit-python.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html?prefix=bin/challenger_rp2350_wifi6_ble5

Micropython will follow shortly… stay tuned.

Pinout

Package Contents

• 1x Challenger+ RP2350
• 2x Header strips