The DIY community has been facing a major hurdle recently, with the discovery of a problem within the Raspberry Pi mini-computer that many of us use for electronic projects, which can range from creating a cheap home computer to building a robot. Keep reading while we discuss the issue and how to get around it so you can get back to the building.
RP2350 E9 Erratum
The issue users are having with the Raspberry Pi is called the “RP2350 E9 Erratum,” and it affects its General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins. These pins are used to control external hardware, leading to unexpected behavior and disruptions in power-sensitive applications. Users have reported that when using high-impedance inputs, unexpected power spikes and leakage currents occur.
For developers working on projects involving the RP2350, like the popular Bus Pirate 5XL, the extra power consumption caused by the GPIO can complicate the design and reduce efficiency.
Workarounds
Workarounds to the RP2350 E9 Erratum bug include adding external pull-down resistors to address the power spikes. However, this workaround puts a continuous load on the GPIO pins, which can be a problem for projects sensitive to power consumption.
Community Frustration
Developers are also frustrated that Raspberry Pi Ltd continues to sell defective microcontrollers without fully disclosing the issue, leaving new users to discover the problem on their own. This lack of transparency has led many angry users on forums to call for a new version that fixes the issue. However, for now, users have no choice but to rely on workarounds, so it’s important to carefully consider the project power requirements and explore potential fixes before you get started.
Fortunately, the Raspberry Pi has a huge community that can help you overcome many issues until the bug is no longer an issue.
Which Versions of Raspberry Pi are Affected?
The bug affects all devices with the RP2350 chip, an upgrade of the RP2040 found in many Pico series boards.
When will a Fix for the RP2350 E9 Erratum Bug Release be Available?
Unfortunately, the people behind Raspberry Pi have not announced that they are working on fixing the bug.
Are There Any Alternatives to the Raspberry Pi?
Yes, several alternatives offer functionality similar to that of the Raspberry Pi, including Odroid, Beaglebone, Jetson Nano, and Orange Pi.