# pic0rick Pico Ultrasound Pulse-Echo System

> OSHWA-certified open-source ultrasound development kit built around the Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040). Features a 60 Msps 10-bit ADC, AD8331 time-gain amplifier, and three-level bipolar pulser for NDT and education.

## Quick Facts

- **Brand:** kelu124
- **Board Type:** dev-board
- **Price:** ~$299
- **Product Readiness:** diy-kit
- **CPU:** RP2040 ARM Cortex-M0+ dual-core @ 133MHz
- **CPU Architecture:** ARM Cortex-M0+
- **RAM:** 264 KB
- **Flash:** 2 MB (on Pico W)
- **USB:** Micro-USB (via Raspberry Pi Pico)
- **Power:** 5V
- **Operating Voltage:** 3.3V

## Connectivity

- **Wifi:** false
- **Bluetooth:** false
- **Zigbee:** false
- **Ethernet:** false

## Open Source

- **Firmware:** Yes
- **Schematics:** Yes
- **PCB Layout:** Yes
- **License:** TAPR-OHL

## Certifications

OSHWA

## Use Cases

- ultrasound-imaging
- non-destructive-testing
- signal-acquisition
- educational-platform
- embedded-systems-education
- prototyping

## Components

- **RP2040** (MCU): Dual-core ARM Cortex-M0+ microcontroller at 133 MHz with 264 KB SRAM and dual PIO blocks for high-speed ADC acquisition and VGA output. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fdatasheets.raspberrypi.com%2Frp2040%2Frp2040-datasheet.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)
- **AD8331** (Amplifier): Ultralow noise variable-gain amplifier providing 7.5 dB to 55.5 dB continuous gain range with 120 MHz bandwidth for ultrasound time-gain compensation. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.analog.com%2Fmedia%2Fen%2Ftechnical-documentation%2Fdata-sheets%2FAD8331_8332_8334.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)
- **MCP4812** (DAC): 10-bit dual-channel SPI DAC with internal voltage reference used to control the AD8331 gain via programmable analog voltage. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fww1.microchip.com%2Fdownloads%2Fen%2FDeviceDoc%2F20002249B.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)
- **MD1210** (Pulser): High-speed ultrasound MOSFET driver for controlling the TC6320 complementary MOSFET pair in three-level pulse generation circuits. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fww1.microchip.com%2Fdownloads%2Fen%2FDeviceDoc%2F20005605A.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)
- **TC6320** (Pulser): High-voltage complementary N/P-channel MOSFET pair for bipolar ultrasound pulse generation, driven by the MD1210. — [Datasheet](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fww1.microchip.com%2Fdownloads%2Fen%2FDeviceDoc%2F21571B.pdf&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)

## Protocols

- **SPI**
- **PMOD**
- **ADC**
- **GPIO**

## Description

The pic0rick is an open-source ultrasound pulse-echo development platform designed around the Raspberry Pi Pico and its RP2040 microcontroller. It provides a complete single-channel ultrasound signal chain comprising three dedicated circuit boards: a receive board with a 60 Msps 10-bit ADC and AD8331 time-gain compensation amplifier, a high-voltage supply board generating ±25V rails, and a bipolar pulser board using the MD1210 driver and TC6320 complementary MOSFET pair for three-level pulse generation. The system leverages the RP2040's dual programmable I/O (PIO) blocks for both high-speed ADC acquisition and optional VGA video output.

Designed explicitly for non-destructive testing (NDT) and educational use rather than medical imaging, the pic0rick makes ultrasound experimentation accessible to students, researchers, and hobbyists at a fraction of the cost of commercial systems. The AD8331 front-end provides a continuously variable gain range of 7.5 dB to 55.5 dB controlled via the MCP4812 SPI DAC, enabling proper time-gain compensation to account for signal attenuation at greater depths. PMOD connectors allow modular expansion and connection between the boards.

The project is OSHWA certified (FR000023) with hardware released under the TAPR Open Hardware License and software under GPLv3. Complete KiCad design files, firmware source code, and documentation are available on GitHub. The kit ships as bare PCBs from France and requires the user to supply headers, SMA connectors, a Raspberry Pi Pico W, and an ultrasound transducer for a fully functional system.

## Where to Buy

- [Tindie](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tindie.com%2Fproducts%2Fkelu124%2Fpic0rick-a-pico-ultrasound-pulse-echo-system%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export) — $299.00

## Resources

- [product](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tindie.com%2Fproducts%2Fkelu124%2Fpic0rick-a-pico-ultrasound-pulse-echo-system%2F&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)
- [github](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fkelu124%2Fpic0rick&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)
- [wiki](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fun0rick.cc%2Fpic0rick&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)
- [schematics](https://openhardware.directory/r?to=https%3A%2F%2Fgithub.com%2Fkelu124%2Fpic0rick&ref=openhardware.directory&product=pic0rick&source=md-export)

## Tags

`ultrasound`, `pulse-echo`, `ndt`, `non-destructive-testing`, `rp2040`, `raspberry-pi-pico`, `open-hardware`, `oshwa`, `adc`, `tgc`, `signal-processing`, `pmod`

## Images

![pic0rick Pico Ultrasound Pulse-Echo System](https://nbg1.your-objectstorage.com/openhardware-directory/entities/pic0rick/a3256920e08a.jpg)

---
[View full device page](https://openhardware.directory/devices/pic0rick)