Pico OTA

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Pico OTA

This project shows how to upload Arduino sketches to a Raspberry Pi Pico W (or Pico 2 W) over Wi-Fi (OTA = Over-The-Air).

After one USB upload, you can update your Pico wirelessly from Arduino IDE - no more unplugging USB cables.

You will do:

1. Install the Arduino-Pico core (RP2040)

2. Install the PICO_OTA library

3. Select a Flash Size that includes FS (LittleFS) - this is critical

4. Upload once via USB

5. Upload later via Network Port (OTA)

Supplies

Hardware

- Raspberry Pi Pico W (or Pico 2 W)

- USB cable (for the first upload)

Software

- Arduino IDE (1.8.x or 2.x)

- Arduino-Pico core (Earle Philhower RP2040)

- PICO_OTA library

Network

- Your Pico W and your computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network (same LAN).

Install Arduino-Pico Core

1. Open Arduino IDE

2. Go to File > Preferences

3. Add this URL to Additional Board Manager URLs:

https://github.com/earlephilhower/arduino-pico/releases/download/global/package_rp2040_index.json

4. Go to Tools > Board > Boards Manager

5. Search for pico and install:

Raspberry Pi Pico/RP2040/2350 by Earle F. Philhower, III

Install the PICO_OTA Library

Two ways to install - choose one:

Method A: Arduino IDE Library Manager (if available)

1. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries

2. Search for PICO_OTA

3. Install the library by wedsamuel1230

Method B: Manual Install (always works)

1. Download from:

https://github.com/wedsamuel1230/Pico_OTA

2. Extract the ZIP file

3. Move the Pico_OTA folder to your Arduino libraries folder:

- Windows: Documents\Arduino\libraries\

- Mac: ~/Documents/Arduino/libraries/

- Linux: ~/Arduino/libraries/

4. Restart Arduino IDE

Verify installation:

- Go to File > Examples

- Look for PICO_OTA - you should see example sketches there

Select the Correct Board Flash Settings (CRITICAL)

1. Go to Tools > Board

2. Select Raspberry Pi RP2040 Boards > Raspberry Pi Pico W (or Pico 2 W)

CRITICAL: OTA requires filesystem space (LittleFS). You must select a Flash Size option that includes FS.

Recommended example setting:

- Tools > Flash Size > 2MB (Sketch: 1MB, FS: 1MB)

Do NOT choose a "No FS" option, or OTA will fail.

Open an Example Sketch

Go to:

File > Examples > PICO_OTA

Recommended for classes / teams:

Pico_OTA_test_with_Dual_Core

Why dual-core? OTA runs on Core 1, while your project logic runs on Core 0. This keeps your application responsive and makes it easier to teach: students can focus on Core 0 only.

Optional: Pico_OTA_test (single-core) is simpler, but OTA shares the same loop and can be impacted by blocking code.

Dual-Core Workflow (Hide OTA in Secret.h, Code on Core 0)

In the dual-core example, all OTA-related setup is intentionally placed in secret.h.

Important (recommended for classes): Treat secret.h as a protected / instructor-owned file. Students/users should not modify OTA logic there. They should only write application code on Core 0 in the main .ino file.

What lives in secret.h (Core 1):

- Wi-Fi credentials (ssid/password)

- OTA hostname / OTA password

- setup1() and loop1() that run on Core 1 to keep OTA alive

What students should edit (Core 0):

- setup() and loop() in Pico_OTA_test_with_Dual_Core.ino

- Their sensors, motors, UI, logic, etc.

Dual-core secret.h example (do not change the OTA parts):

const char *ssid = "Your_SSID";

const char *password = "Your_PASSWORD";

const char *hostname = "pico-ota"; // device name shown in Network Ports

const char *otaPassword = "admin"; // change this for real projects

void setup1() {

otaSetup(ssid, password, hostname, otaPassword);

}

void loop1() {

otaLoop();

}

Core 0 template (this is where you code):

void setup() {

Serial.begin(115200);

// Your setup code here

}

void loop() {

// Your application code here (Core 0)

// OTA is handled on Core 1 in secret.h

}

Why hide OTA in secret.h?

- Prevents accidental edits that break OTA (common in teaching labs)

- Keeps security-sensitive settings (passwords) in one place

- Lets students focus on Core 0 application logic without learning OTA internals first

Security tip: Use a strong OTA password for real projects (avoid "admin").

First Upload Via USB (one Time)

1. Plug your Pico W into your computer via USB

2. Select the USB port: Tools > Port > your COM port

3. Click Upload

Open Serial Monitor at 115200 baud and note the IP address.

You should see logs like:

[OTA] Connecting WiFi...

[OTA] WiFi connected, IP: 192.168.1.100

[OTA] LittleFS mounted

[OTA] Ready for OTA updates

Upload Wirelessly (OTA)

1. In Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Port

2. Look under Network Ports

3. Select your device (it may show as hostname at IP)

4. Click Upload again - now it uploads over Wi-Fi

Tip: Keep the Pico powered during OTA uploads.

Use PICO_OTA in Your Own Sketch

Minimal pattern:

#include <pico_ota.h>

const char *ssid = "YourWiFi";

const char *password = "YourPassword";

void setup() {

Serial.begin(115200);

otaSetup(ssid, password, "my-device", "my-ota-password");

}

void loop() {

otaLoop();

// Your code here...

}

Notes:

- Call otaSetup(...) once in setup().

- Call otaLoop() often in loop() (avoid long blocking delays).

Troubleshooting

LittleFS mount failed / No filesystem

- Re-check Tools > Flash Size and select an option with FS.

- Upload once over USB again after changing the Flash Size.

Device not showing in Network Ports

- Confirm the Pico and your PC are on the same Wi-Fi.

- Check Serial Monitor for the IP address.

- Check firewall rules on your computer.

OTA password issues

- Make sure the password in your sketch matches what you type when uploading.