El Particle Photon 2 is an advanced development board with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, designed to make it easy to create projects Internet of Things (IoT). Thanks to its powerful processor and its large memory, this platform offers an ideal environment for the prototyping and the implementation of connected solutions.
If you are looking for an alternative versatile y Management For developing IoT projects, the Photon 2 can be an excellent choice. In this article, we'll explore all of its features, technical specifications, and most common uses in detail.
General description
El Photon 2 is a module developed by Particle that is designed to replace previous models such as the Photon and Argon. It offers a improved architecture y compatibility with more demanding applications. Its hardware is based on the RTL8721DM microcontroller, which combines a ARM Cortex-M33 CPU at 200 MHz with advanced wireless connectivity.
Main features
- Connectivity: Compatible with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks, as well as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.
- Improved memory: 3 MB of RAM available to the user and 2 MB of flash storage.
- Certifications: Complies with FCC, CE and ISED standards to ensure use in different regions.
- Dual antenna: It has an integrated antenna and a U.FL connector for external antennas.
Software and Device OS Support
The Photon 2 requires at least version 5.0.0 of Particle Device OS. It is recommended to update to the latest version available within the 5.x line to ensure the stability y compatibility of the System.
The device's operating system allows programming through different environments, including Particle Web IDE, Particle Workbench (based on VSCode) and the Particle CLI.
Food and energy consumption
The Photon 2 can be powered by several different methods:
- USB port: It is the simplest way to provide power to the device, requiring at least 500mA.
- VUSB Pin: It can be used to power peripherals with voltages between 4.5 and 5V, although it is protected by a 1000mA fuse.
- LiPo Battery: It allows power supply with a 3.7V cell and has a integrated charger.
Available interfaces
GPIO and digital signals
The Photon 2 has multiple input and output pins, allowing for a wide range of flexibility in the connection of sensors and actuators. Its features include:
- Compatibility with digital and analog signals.
- Ability to operate in input and output modes.
- Support for interrupts on multiple pins.
Serial connectivity
- It has three interfaces UART, supporting transmission speeds of up to 4 Mbps.
- It has two buses SPI reaching speeds of up to 50 MHz.
- Supports a bus I2C operating at 400 kHz.
Power management and sleep modes
The Photon 2 allows to reduce the energy through different suspension modes:
- STOP: Keeps memory active and can be woken up by any GPIO interrupt.
- ULTRA_LOW_POWER: Significantly reduces electricity consumption.
- HIBERNATE: Only some pins can wake up the device.
Storage and memory options
The Photon 2 is equipped with 512 KB of RAM static and 4 MB of Pseudostatic RAM (PSRAM), providing a total of 3 MB of available RAM for the user.
It also has a file system 2MB flash and support for storage in retained memory, making it easy to data retention between energy cycles.
Use of antennas and certifications
The module integrates a PCB antenna and a U.FL connector for external antennas. Antenna selection is achieved via software, allowing you to choose between the internal and external antennas. requirements.
Programming and debugging mode
For programming and debugging, the Photon 2 has support SWD/JTAG, using a 10-pin micro JTAG connector located on the top of the module.
Mechanical design and connectors
The Photon 2 uses 0.1" pitch male headers, compatible with standard motherboards. It can be mounted on PCBs using sockets or soldered directly.
Applications and Use Cases
The Photon 2 is ideal for a wide variety of IoT applications, including:
- Home automation.
- Remote monitoring and industrial sensors.
- Control devices via Wi-Fi.
- Educational and prototyping projects.
With its power and flexibility, the Photon 2 is positioned as one of the best options for IoT developers looking for a reliable and versatile platform.