Our final design successfully achieved the goal of creating an interactive and educational simulation platform using the Raspberry Pi Pico and VGA output. Both Conway’s Game of Life and the Mandelbrot Set were implemented with smooth real-time graphics, intuitive button and potentiometer control, and integrated sound effects that enhanced the user experience. The system behaved reliably across both modules, meeting or exceeding our expectations in terms of responsiveness, accuracy, and usability. The only significant limitation encountered was a RAM overflow in the Mandelbrot module after approximately eight zoom levels, caused by retained overlay data. This issue pointed to the tight memory constraints of the RP2040 and could be addressed in future versions by optimizing framebuffer management or implementing screen-clearing strategies.
Our design followed applicable hardware and software standards. VGA output adhered to 480×480 timing specifications, SPI communication was configured according to standard protocols, and audio generation used accurate DDS-based fixed-point arithmetic. GPIOs were safely interfaced using current-limiting resistors, and debounce logic ensured robust input handling.
From an intellectual property perspective, the project relied primarily on original code and open-source resources. We adapted portions of Hunter Adams’ publicly available RP2040 VGA driver and protothread examples under permissive licenses, with appropriate attribution. No proprietary IP, Altera IP, or patented designs were used. All hardware components were freely available, and no non-disclosure agreements were required. While the project demonstrates a novel integration of simulations, audio, and interactivity, it does not contain new algorithms or architectures that would justify a patent.