Setting Up the Pico SDK on Linux for Pico Development

Setting Up the Pico SDK on Linux for PicoCalc Development

This guide walks you through setting up the Raspberry Pi Pico SDK on a Linux system for PicoCalc development. By the end, you'll have a working environment to compile and flash firmware to your Raspberry Pi Pico on PicoCalc.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure you have the following:

• A Linux system (Ubuntu, Debian, etc.)
• Raspberry Pi Pico
• USB cable for flashing firmware
• USB Type-C cable for running
• Basic familiarity with the terminal

Step 1: Install Required Dependencies

Open a terminal and install the necessary tools:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y cmake gcc-arm-none-eabi libnewlib-arm-none-eabi build-essential git

Step 2: Clone the Pico SDK

Navigate to a workspace directory and clone the official Raspberry Pi Pico SDK:

mkdir -p ~/pico && cd ~/pico
git clone https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-sdk.git
cd pico-sdk
git checkout tags/2.0.0 -b sdk2.0.0
git submodule update --init

Step 3: Set Up Environment Variables

To ensure the build system finds the SDK, set an environment variable:

echo 'export PICO_SDK_PATH=~/pico/pico-sdk' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

For Zsh users:

echo 'export PICO_SDK_PATH=~/pico/pico-sdk' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Step 4: Create a New Project

Let's create a sample project using the Pico SDK:

cd ~/pico
git clone https://github.com/raspberrypi/pico-examples.git
mkdir -p pico-examples/build && cd pico-examples/build

Now, configure the project with CMake:

cmake ..

Step 5: Compile the Code

Compile a sample program (e.g., Blink):

make -j$(nproc) blink

If successful, this will generate a blink.uf2 file inside build/blink/.

Step 6: Flash the Firmware

To flash the firmware to your Pico:

1. Hold down the BOOTSEL button on the Pico.

2. Plug it into your computer via USB then release BOOTSEL.

3. The Pico should appear as a mass storage device (RPI-RP2).

4. Copy the blink.uf2 file to the Pico:

   cp blink/blink.uf2 /media/$USER/RPI-RP2/

The Pico will automatically reboot and start running the Blink program.

Step 7: Verify Everything Works

To check if your Pico is working correctly, unplug micro-usb, plug PicoCalc to your computer via USB Type-C ,and press Power On

Note: On PicoCalc, the default serial port of the Pico is the USB Type-C port, not its built-in Micro USB port.

you can use minicom or screen to monitor serial output:

sudo apt install -y minicom
minicom -b 115200 -o -D /dev/ttyACM0

Press Ctrl+A, then Z, and select Quit when finished.

Conclusion

You now have the Raspberry Pi Pico SDK set up on Linux and successfully flashed firmware onto your Pico. You can start developing and customizing firmware for PicoCalc projects!

For more details, refer to the official Pico SDK documentation.