The pic0rick brings open-source ultrasound capabilities to hobbyists and researchers by replacing FPGA designs with RP2040/RP2350 microcontrollers. This DIY board delivers comparable performance at a fraction of the cost and complexity, eliminating the need for specialized FPGA knowledge. The modular three-board system features a main board with 60 Msps ADC, pulser board, and HV generation board for complete ultrasound functionality.

Using the RP2040's Programmable Input Output (PIO) units, the pic0rick achieves sub-microsecond timing precision needed for ultrasound acquisition. The dual Cortex-M0+ cores handle application code while PIO state machines manage acquisition timing and VGA output. With 60 Msps sampling at 10-bit resolution and variable gain TGC amplification, the system offers professional-grade capabilities at an accessible price point.

Compared to FPGA-based predecessors, the pic0rick provides an accessible alternative for ultrasound development. PMOD connectors support VGA output, multiplexers for multi-transducer arrays, and PSRAM for extended acquisition buffers. All design files are open source under TAPR Open Hardware License, allowing researchers and hobbyists to build, modify, or extend the hardware without proprietary toolchains.