## [**Download the latest release**](https://gitlab.com/recursivenomad/ki-lime-pi-pico/-/releases/)


**A comprehensive KiCad Library for the Raspberry Pi Pico** 🥧
====================================================================

### Providing footprints, symbols, and models for the module in its various forms and implementations

 


***Features***
==============

- **KiCad 7.0 support**
- **Schematics with alternate pin definitions** to select more specific behaviours for each GPIO, as well as specify power directionality
- **Generic and specific footprints** for the Pico and Pico W
  - Through-hole and surface-mount footprints with and without mounting holes
  - Hand-solderable test points (ie. USB signals) in footprints with underside castellations
  - Optional pin labels as an add-on footprint
  - Optional keepout zone for 2.4 GHz RF on shared footprints
- **Diverse 3D models** for surface-mount, through-hole, and socketed forms of the Pico, Pico H, Pico W, and Pico WH using photorealistic materials
- Majority adherence to the [KiCad Library Conventions](https://klc.kicad.org/) version 3.0.34

 


***How do I use this library?***
================================

- Ensure you are running KiCad 7.0 or later
- Download the most recent [release](https://gitlab.com/recursivenomad/ki-lime-pi-pico/-/releases/) of the library
- Unzip the file contents
- If not already created, create a new KiCad project
- Move the root library directory `RaspberryPi_Pico/` to a folder anywhere within your KiCad project
  > *If using the library globally, move `RaspberryPi_Pico/` to a globally accessible location*
- Open the relevant KiCad project
- Select `Preferences > Manage Footprint Libraries...`
- Select the `Project Specific Libraries` tab
  > *If using the library globally, select the `Global Librarires` tab instead*
- Click the folder icon in the lower left to `Add Existing`
- Navigate to and select `.../RaspberryPi_Pico/Module_RaspberryPi_Pico.pretty/`
- Click `OK`
- Select `Preferences > Manage Symbol Libraries...`
- Select the `Project Specific Libraries` tab
  > *If using the library globally, select the `Global Libaries` tab instead*
- Click the folder icon in the lower left to `Add existing library to table`
- Navigate to and select `.../RaspberryPi_Pico/MCU_Module_RaspberryPi_Pico.kicad_sym`
- Click `OK`

To use, simply add a symbol to your schematic as you would any other; symbols should be located under the section `MCU_Module_RaspberryPi_Pico`, and footprints under `Module_RaspberryPi_Pico`.

### **You're all set to design exciting new circuit boards using the Raspberry Pi Pico! 🎉**

 


***Further reading***
=====================

## Other KiCad implementations of the Raspberry Pi Pico:

*Some adjacent solutions I encountered during my research for this project*

- Official Raspberry Pi KiCad library files for the Pico and Pico W provided in
  [Hardware design with the RP2040, Section 3](https://datasheets.raspberrypi.com/rp2040/hardware-design-with-rp2040.pdf#page=15)
    - https://datasheets.raspberrypi.com/rp2040/VGA-KiCAD.zip
    - https://datasheets.raspberrypi.com/rp2040/VGA-PicoW-KiCAD.zip
- A detailed SketchUp model of the surface-mount Pico incorporating the above
  Pico library
  - https://github.com/ncarandini/KiCad-RP-Pico
- A similarly versatile library found on the [KiCad forums](https://forum.kicad.info/t/are-there-pi-pico-library-files-available-for-kicad-6/35844/12)
  for all the Pico variants, including a castellated *add-on board* footprint
  - https://gitlab.com/mgyger/kicad-symbols/-/blob/pico/MCU_Module.kicad_sym
  - https://gitlab.com/mgyger/kicad-footprints/-/tree/pico/Module.pretty

## Pico W antenna radiation pattern resources:

- Great teardown featured:
  - https://electronupdate.blogspot.com/2022/07/raspberry-pi-pico-w-silicon-level.html
    - https://youtu.be/dWJE1ALMlBw
- Antenna info:
  - https://www.antenna-theory.com/design/raspberry-pi-antenna.php
    - https://youtu.be/MQ8gCsPoo6k
  - https://www.tablix.org/~avian/blog/archives/2022/03/effect_of_ground_cutout_on_the_cm4_antenna/
- Possible antenna radiation pattern:
  - https://abracon.com/parametric/antennas/PRO-EB-592
    - https://abracon.com/datasheets/PRO-EB-592.pdf
  - https://abracon.com/parametric/antennas/PRO-EB-594
    - https://abracon.com/datasheets/PRO-EB-594.pdf
  - https://embeddedcomputing.com/technology/analog-and-power/power-semiconductors-wireless-charging/a-lesson-in-wireless-engineering-from-the-raspberry-pi
  - https://antennatestlab.com/antenna-examples/raspberry-pi-model-3b-antenna-evaluation-gain-pattern

 


***License***
=============

This work is licensed under the [*MIT No Attribution*](https://opensource.org/license/mit-0/)
license, the text of which should be found in [`LICENSE.txt`](./LICENSE.txt)
in the root directory of this project alongside this README.

*The license applies to all relevant files contained within the directory it*
*resides, including sub-directories, unless otherwise overridden by the*
*presence of another LICENSE file, or license header within a file.*