# Pro Micro RP2040 CE Pro Micro RP2040 CE, 4MB Flash, Pro Micro & Elite C pin-compatible keyboard controller - **Seller:** [Tweety's Wild Thinking](https://lectronz.com/stores/tweetys-wild-thinking), Skurup, Skane lan, Sweden - **Price:** $7.25 (USD, before shipping and taxes) - **Availability:** In stock - **Categories:** Components, Prototyping, Raspberry Pi - **Product page:** https://lectronz.com/products/pro-micro-rp2040-ce ## Images ![Pro Micro RP2040 CE](https://lectronz-images.b-cdn.net/lectronz/active_storage/representations/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTAzNywicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--d298bb8a83ca470cee3516f381218d8f78d9dca5/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6eyJmb3JtYXQiOiJqcGciLCJyZXNpemVfdG9fbGltaXQiOls5NjAsNjQwXSwic2F2ZXIiOnsic3RyaXAiOnRydWV9fSwicHVyIjoidmFyaWF0aW9uIn19--970c165836a83091725a1a0fd4f37ce9408da1bf/RP2040_promicro-clone.jpg) ## Description # The replacement keyboard controller! **The originial Pro Micro Arduino based on the Atmel Atmega32u4 MCU has been the gold standard for DIY based keyboard designs since about a decade or more.** Unfortunately, with Covid19 came a shift in what was produced and in what quantities, making it more expensive. And even though the Atmega32u4 is arguably the most used MCU for DIY purposes, it is getting old, and there are plenty of newer, more powerful replacements. Thus the price and availability of the Pro Micro controllers have continued to shift in the wrong direction since then. Several high spec Pro Micro replacements exist on the market today, like the Frood, Elite Pi and Liatris, all at prices reflecting their various options and spec, and **I very highly recommend** building your keyboard with one of these. *However*, if you like me very often want a bargain build, or at the very least *bang-for-buck* pricing, a cheaper 'clone' might be the right choice. The ProMicro RP2040 CE is such an controller. This controller is suitable for **Lotus58, and Padavan / Vanapad** keyboard kits in this shop, and many more applications and projects you can find online. ## Specification **RP2040 General Specification** * RP2040 MCU, Dual-core Arm Cortex M0+ processor, flexible clock running up to 133 MHz * 264KB of SRAM (No on-board Flash memory) * USB-C connector, (USB 1.1 device and host support) * Low-power sleep and dormant modes * Drag-and-drop programming using mass storage over USB * 2 × SPI, 2 × I2C, 2 × UART, 4 × 12-bit ADC, 16 × controllable PWM channels * Accurate clock and timer on-chip * Temperature sensor * Accelerated floating-point libraries on-chip * 8 × Programmable I/O (PIO) state machines for custom peripheral support **RP2040 'Pro Micro' Specification** * **ProMicro footprint - NOT interchangeable with RP2040-Zero.** * Conforms to the 'original' Pro Micro design and outline (USB port does not extend as USB type C Pro Micro). * Pin compatible with Pro Micro and Elite C (5 Extra pins on bottom as Elite C). * 5 *additional* IO available outside the original Pro Micro/Elite C footprint * Low profile with 'mid-mount' USB type C connector and NO components on backside. * BOOT pin available as through hole, accessible from the back (Very useful when mounted in a keyboard!). * 4MB of Flash memory (Also used to emulate EE_PROM memory) ## What's included #### As standard, these are delivered in a sealed ESD bag, with the pinheaders just like any Pro Micro clone. I'm merely reselling these AS-IS to make it a one-stop-shop for building your keyboard, making it convenient to get a *complete* kit in your hands. **Please note!** You can likely find them cheaper on AliExpress or similar if you are willing to order your parts from various sources, or order in bulk. I'm simply covering my expenses, shipping/taxes etc, with no measureable profit on these. ## Building with these instead of an original ProMicro #### When building an existing legacy design (like the Lotus 58) simply ignore the extra pins! Instead fit the controller to the original ProMicro footprint, aligned with the *bottom pins*, and leave the top two pins next to the USB port unconnected, and it just works as intended. The two extra top pins and the three extra pins in random places can certainly be used in new designs, but are never used in a legacy design that was designed for a ProMicro or EliteC, although the designs meant explicitly for an EliteC can still use the five lower "belly pins" just as nomal. ## How-to Flash an RP2040 based controller #### For starters, forget the QMK Toolbox exist!! It simply is not for you, even though the idea seems convenient. QMK Toolbox is used for the Atmega32u4 and similar MCU's, not for the RP2040 MCU. **To flash the RP2040 MCU:** - Press and hold 'BOOT' - Tap 'RESET' - A virtual USB drive is mounted and shown in your OS (keep in mind that some Linux distributions and MacOS might need permission tweaks to show this) - Drop the appropriorate .UF2 file onto the drive, and it will dissapear (The RP2040 reboots) - The controller will re-appear as the device typ and name it was flashed as (Most likely a keyboard). ## Shipping policy Normal handling time is 3-5 working days (Predominantly done on weekends). Build items usually take 1-2 weeks. All packages are represented to the courier/customs at their true value, and all responsibility for import fees and taxes resulting thereof lies with the buyer. DDP is applied where available. Please note that when selecting a shipping option clearly marked as ‘uninsured’ or without tracking, you accept the responsibility for packages lost in transit. All items are sold with a 24-month limited warranty, as per (2011/83/EU). Shipping of items returned for repair or replacement is solely the responsibility of the buyer. (This includes taxes and/or customs fees resulting from incorrect/incomplete shipping documentation.) The SE "Act on Distance Contracts and Off-Premises Contracts" (SFS 2005:59) & The EU "The Distance Selling Directive" (97/7/EC) allow returns initiated within 14 days of receiving the item. Shipping of returned items is solely the responsibility of the buyer. Please note that in the case of kits with multiple components, warranty to the individual components cannot be applied to the resulting build, and does not cover physical damage from incorrect soldering or handling by the end user. Please test active components (controllers) and initiate a warranty claim for manufacturing defects BEFORE you start to solder them!