This Github repository demonstrates how to connect a Raspberry Pi Pico and a nRF24L01(+) transceiver using CircuitPython. It provides the necessary instructions and resources to get you started.
I was unable to locate a functional example of using a nRF24L01(+) transceiver with a Raspberry Pi Pico using CircuitPython. While I did find the tutorials How to easily connect a NRF24L01+ transceiver to your Raspberry Pi Pico and Raspberry Pi Pico with nRF24L01 using MicroPython, they were not helpful as they were written for MicroPython. However, I did come across a promising library called CircuitPython_nRF24L01, but unfortunately, the code does not work on a Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040).
In order to get the CircuitPython_nRF24L01 code working on a Raspberry Pi Pico, I started with the original example files from the CircuitPython_nRF24L01 repository and made some minor modifications, such as specifying the correct pins. Here are the steps to follow:
- Download the contents of the CircuitPython_nRF24L01 repository.
- Copy the
circuitpython_nrf24l01folder to thelibfolder on your Pico.- Download the appropriate example file from this repository and rename it to
main.pyorcode.py.- Run the code and you should be all set!
The file and folder structure on your Pico should be similar to this:
| Pico | NRF24L01+ |
|---|---|
| Pin 36 / 3V3 Out | VCC |
| Pin 38 / GND (or any other GND Pin) | GND |
| Pin 16 / GP12 | CE |
| Pin 7 / GP5 | CS |
| Pin 9 / GP6 | SCK |
| Pin 10 / GP7 | MOSI |
| Pin 6 / GP4 | MISO |
Note: To improve stability, you can add a capacitor between the VCC and GND pins of the nRF24L01. In my experience, a 10uf capacitor worked well.