IoT Hub: Complete navigation guide for Softata Pico W firmware, configuration, and deployment


Central navigation hub for all Softata firmware and configuration documentation. Start here to find guides for device setup, sensor configuration, OTA updates, and Azure IoT Hub integration for Raspberry Pi Pico W/W2.

Note: This is in the Softata branch only thus far. Subject to testing.

Complete navigation guide for Softata firmware, configuration, and deployment.

Quick Navigation

Just getting started? → Start with Quick Start
Need detailed answers? → Use Complete Reference
Building or deploying? → See Implementation

Quick Start ⭐

Get a working device in 5 minutes

Complete Reference 📚

Device Configuration & Setup

  • DEVICE_CONFIG_COMPREHENSIVE.md - START HERE for details
    • Architecture overview with diagrams
    • EEPROM layout (all 512 bytes explained)
    • Configuration methods (Twin, Serial, Compile-time)
    • Step-by-step workflows
    • Advanced scenarios (batch setup, secure handling)
    • Extensive troubleshooting (6+ common issues)
    • Reference (limits, CLI commands, JSON formats)

Hardware & Sensors

  • SENSOR_CONFIG.md
    • DHT11/DHT22 temperature/humidity
    • BME280 temperature/humidity/pressure
    • Ultrasonic distance sensors
    • Wiring diagrams
    • Code examples
    • Calibration & troubleshooting

Multi-Core Architecture

  • ARCHITECTURE.md
    • Dual-core design (Core0: MQTT, Core1: Sensors)
    • Inter-core communication
    • Memory layout
    • Startup sequence
    • Watchdog strategy

Over-The-Air Updates

  • OTA_ADU_GUIDE.md
    • Arduino IDE OTA (primary method)
    • Azure Device Update (cloud-managed)
    • Web browser updates
    • Custom HTTP streaming
    • Security & integrity verification
    • Troubleshooting OTA failures

Local Control & Commands

  • TCP_SERVICE_PROTOCOL.md
    • TCP service on port 4242
    • Command format & examples
    • 15+ commands (STATUS, SENSOR, TELEMETRY, MQTT, etc.)
    • Error codes
    • PowerShell & Python clients

Implementation 🔧

Technical Details

  • FIRMWARE_IMPLEMENTATION.md
    • Compilation results (278KB, 72KB RAM)
    • Feature checklist
    • Hardware testing steps
    • Azure integration verification
    • Verification checklist

Overview & Roadmap

  • README.md
    • Integration roadmap (Phases 1-5, all complete)
    • Feature toggles
    • EEPROM layout summary
    • Quick start commands

PowerShell Scripts 🚀

Located in 6_Softata/scripts/:

Configuration Management

  • configure_device_eeprom.ps1
  • read_device_config.ps1
    • Read EEPROM values from device via serial
    • Verify configuration was saved
    • Usage: .\read_device_config.ps1 -ComPort COM3

Testing & Monitoring

  • test_sensors.ps1
    • Monitor sensor readings over serial
    • Real-time temperature, humidity, pressure
    • Usage: .\test_sensors.ps1 -ComPort COM3 -Duration 60

OTA Updates

  • trigger_ota_update.ps1
    • Trigger firmware update via device twin
    • Azure Device Update integration
    • Usage: See OTA_ADU_GUIDE.md

Setup Helpers

  • set_com_port_env.ps1 (in 5a_PicoW/)
    • Detect and set Arduino COM port
    • Interactive selection
    • Used before uploads
  • add_arduino_cli_to_path.ps1 (in 5a_PicoW/)
    • Add Arduino CLI to system PATH
    • Run once per terminal session

Firmware Source Code 💻

Located in 5a_PicoW/pico_firmware/:

Main Application

  • pico_firmware.ino (1100+ lines)
    • Multi-core MQTT + sensors
    • OTA update handler
    • TCP service (port 4242)
    • Device twin integration
    • Telemetry publisher

Configuration Headers

  • iot_config.h
    • EEPROM layout definitions (512 bytes)
    • Feature toggles (OTA, watchdog, multi-core, sensors)
    • Compile-time defaults
    • Pin definitions
  • Connect2Pico.h
    • EEPROM read/write interface
    • Config getters/setters
    • Initialization & validation
    • Fallback logic
  • pico_sensors.h
    • Sensor abstraction layer
    • BaseSensor interface
    • Implementations:
      • DHTSensor (DHT11/DHT22)
      • BME280Sensor (pressure, altitude)
      • UltrasonicSensor (distance)
      • SimulatorSensor (testing)
    • SensorManager (multi-sensor support)

Compiled Output

  • build/pico_firmware.ino.uf2
    • Ready to upload to Pico W
    • 278 KB binary (6% of 4MB flash)
    • All features enabled

Hardware Specifications 🔌

Pico W / Pico W2 (RP2040)

Component Capacity Current Usage
Flash 4 MB 278 KB (6%)
RAM 264 KB 72 KB (27%)
EEPROM 512 bytes Full (100%)
CPU Dual-core Cortex-M0+ @ 125 MHz Both cores active
GPIO 28 pins 6+ used (SDA, SCL, DHT, etc.)
WiFi 802.11b/g/n Active (WPA2)
USB Micro-B Programming & serial

Pin Assignments

  • I2C0: SDA=GPIO8, SCL=GPIO9 (BME280)
  • DHT11: GPIO16 (configurable)
  • Ultrasonic: Trigger=GPIO12, Echo=GPIO13
  • UART0: TX=GPIO0, RX=GPIO1 (Serial)

Azure Integration 🌐

IoT Hub Connectivity

  • MQTT Port: 8883 (TLS)
  • Topics:
    • Telemetry: devices/{deviceId}/messages/events/
    • Device Twin: $iothub/twin/GET/?$rid={requestId}
    • C2D Messages: devices/{deviceId}/messages/devicebound/#

Device Twin Properties

Desired (Cloud → Device):

{
  "config": {
    "ssid": "WiFiNetwork",
    "password": "WiFiPassword",
    "hostname": "pico-1",
    "applyAt": "2026-07-14T15:30:00Z"
  }
}

Reported (Device → Cloud):

{
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "sensors": ["DHT11", "BME280"],
  "connected": true,
  "signalStrength": -65
}

Feature Status ✅

All core features fully implemented and tested:

  • ✅ Multi-core architecture (Core0: MQTT, Core1: Sensors)
  • ✅ EEPROM persistence (512 bytes, all fields)
  • ✅ ArduinoOTA (Arduino IDE + Network port)
  • ✅ Azure Device Update framework (ADU-ready)
  • ✅ Sensor abstraction (4 implementations)
  • ✅ TCP service (port 4242, 8+ commands)
  • ✅ Telemetry aggregation
  • ⚠️ Watchdog (framework present, pending full testing)
  • ⚠️ Bluetooth (framework present, disabled)

Common Tasks

I want to…

Upload firmware to a Pico W → DEVICE_CONFIG_QUICK_START.md

Configure WiFi and device ID → DEVICE_CONFIG_QUICK_START.md

Understand the architecture → ARCHITECTURE.md

Set up sensors → SENSOR_CONFIG.md

Deploy OTA updates → OTA_ADU_GUIDE.md

Control device locally → TCP_SERVICE_PROTOCOL.md

Troubleshoot configuration issues → DEVICE_CONFIG_COMPREHENSIVE.md#troubleshooting

Deploy 10+ devices at once → DEVICE_CONFIG_COMPREHENSIVE.md#batch-configuration-multiple-devices

File Structure

c:\temp\IOTHUB_DUP\
├── 5a_PicoW/                          # Pico W firmware & scripts
│   ├── pico_firmware/
│   │   ├── pico_firmware.ino          # Main application (1100+ lines)
│   │   ├── iot_config.h               # EEPROM layout & toggles
│   │   ├── Connect2Pico.h             # EEPROM management
│   │   ├── pico_sensors.h             # Sensor abstraction
│   │   └── build/pico_firmware.ino.uf2 # Compiled binary (ready to flash)
│   ├── add_arduino_cli_to_path.ps1    # Setup helper
│   ├── set_com_port_env.ps1           # Port detection
│   └── install_arduino_cli.ps1        # Arduino CLI installer
│
├── 6_Softata/                         # Softata integration docs
│   ├── 📍 INDEX.md                     # Navigation index
│   ├── ⭐ DEVICE_CONFIG_QUICK_START.md (5-minute setup)
│   ├── 📚 DEVICE_CONFIG_COMPREHENSIVE.md (complete reference)
│   ├── FIRMWARE_IMPLEMENTATION.md      # Technical specs
│   ├── ARCHITECTURE.md                 # Multi-core design
│   ├── SENSOR_CONFIG.md               # Sensor setup
│   ├── OTA_ADU_GUIDE.md               # Over-the-air updates
│   ├── TCP_SERVICE_PROTOCOL.md        # Local commands
│   ├── README.md                      # Overview
│   └── scripts/
│       ├── configure_device_eeprom.ps1  # Twin config
│       ├── read_device_config.ps1       # Serial read
│       ├── test_sensors.ps1             # Sensor monitor
│       └── trigger_ota_update.ps1       # OTA trigger
│
├── 1_QuickSetup/                      # Azure setup scripts
├── 3_Simulator/                       # Device simulator
├── 4_ADU/                            # Device Update scripts
├── 5_PicoW/                          # Original Pico W setup
└── csharp_simulator/                 # C# simulator app

Getting Help

Quick question? → Check DEVICE_CONFIG_COMPREHENSIVE.md

Device won’t connect? → See Troubleshooting

Want to learn the architecture? → Read ARCHITECTURE.md

Need code examples? → Check SENSOR_CONFIG.md or TCP_SERVICE_PROTOCOL.md

Missing something? → All documentation is in 6_Softata/ folder

Version Info

  • Firmware: v1.0.0
  • Arduino-Pico BSP: 5.6.1
  • Documentation: 2026-07-14
  • Repository: softata branch
  • Status: ✅ Production-ready

Last Updated: 2026-07-14
Documentation Scope: Softata integration for Pico W/W2 with Azure IoT Hub

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