The new Radio Module 2 (RM2) from Raspberry Pi is a highly integrated, standalone radio module designed specifically for Raspberry Pi microcontrollers like the RP2040 and RP2350. At its core is the Infineon CYW43439 wireless chip, providing stable 2.4GHz Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Bluetooth 5.2 (with support for Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy).
The module features a compact 14.5mm × 16.5mm form factor and a castellated package, designed for Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) processes, making it easy to integrate onto custom Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). It integrates the RF circuitry, a 37.4MHz crystal, an onboard antenna, and an RF shield, requiring only minimal external components (SPI, power, and reset signals) to function. With its low official Recommended Retail Price (RRP), it's designed to provide a cost-effective wireless solution for mass-produced devices.
Introducing New Raspberry Radio Module 2
To understand the value of the Radio Module 2, it's crucial to clarify its relationship with the Pico W development board. They aren't replacements for each other, but rather partners that serve different stages of the product development lifecycle.
The table below provides a clear, at-a-glance comparison:
Feature Comparison | Raspberry Pi Pico W | Raspberry Pi Radio Module 2 |
---|---|---|
Product Role | Complete Development Board | Core Wireless Component/Module |
Target Use Case | Learning, development, prototyping | Integration into custom PCBs for mass production |
Included Components | RP2040 MCU, wireless chip, USB, power circuits, etc. | Only the wireless chip, antenna, and support circuitry |
Method of Use | Connects directly to a PC via USB for programming | Soldered onto a host PCB via SMT |
Core Wireless Solution | Infineon CYW43439 | Identical (Infineon CYW43439) |
Software Compatibility | Uses Pico SDK (C++/MicroPython) | 100% Compatible with Pico SDK |
As the table shows, while they differ in form and function, they share a unified core technology. The Radio Module 2 uses the exact same wireless chip and software architecture as the Pico W and Raspberry Pi Pico 2.
This means:
Raspberry Pi Radio Module Overview
The features of the Radio Module 2 offer significant support for developers and businesses turning ideas into real products. To better illustrate its value, let's look at a few hypothetical use cases:
A small startup plans to launch a "smart plant monitor" with a minimalist design that needs to be embedded compactly into the rim of a flowerpot.
A systems integrator has a project to deploy hundreds of asset trackers in a warehouse under a very tight budget.
An artist is creating an interactive light installation composed of multiple translucent spheres with limited internal space.
These use cases highlight the core value of the Radio Module 2: accelerating time-to-market and reducing total cost.
Q: What is the difference between a Raspberry Pi and a Compute Module?
A: This question is a great analogy for the relationship between the Pico W and the Radio Module 2. A standard Raspberry Pi (like a Pi 4 Model B) is a full-featured, ready-to-use single-board computer. A Compute Module (CM), on the other hand, takes the core functionality (processor, memory) and puts it on a small board designed for industrial and embedded applications, which requires a carrier board to function. Similarly, the Pico W is a complete development board, while the Radio Module 2 plays a role like a "Compute Module": it packages the wireless functionality as a core component, allowing you to integrate it into any custom product.
Q: What can you do with a Raspberry Pi Compute Module?
A: A Compute Module is primarily used in highly customized commercial and industrial products, such as digital signage, thin clients, and industrial automation equipment. Likewise, the use cases for the Radio Module 2 are focused on final products, for example:
Q: What is the best Raspberry Pi?
A: There is no single "best" Raspberry Pi, only the "best fit for your current task." This principle applies perfectly to the Pico family as well:
Q: Does CM4 have WiFi?
A: Yes, some variants of the Compute Module 4 integrate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. In a similar vein, the Radio Module 2 discussed here also provides comprehensive wireless connectivity. Specifically, it supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n, 2.4GHz) and Bluetooth 5.2 (Classic + LE). This is sufficient for the vast majority of IoT and embedded projects and strikes a good balance between cost and power consumption.
As the Q&A section highlights, the factors developers consider when choosing a wireless solution go far beyond mere technical specifications; they are also concerned with the practical development experience, time-to-market, and final overall cost. This is precisely the perspective from which the Radio Module 2 was designed. It isn't simply the Pico W's wireless functionality repackaged into a module; rather, it's a clear, low-risk pathway that Raspberry Pi has established for its ecosystem to bridge the gap between prototyping and commercial mass production. It systematically addresses the common challenges of certification, cost, and engineering complexity that developers face in this transition. Therefore, when your project is ready to move from the workbench to the market, choosing the Radio Module 2 provides a more efficient route—one that allows you to focus your valuable resources on product innovation itself, rather than on complex RF engineering and certification processes. This embodies the core principle of the Raspberry Pi ecosystem: empowering developers by lowering barriers.