# DC & USB Boarduino Kits ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/004/952/medium800/adafruit_products_72top_LRG.jpg?1396818293) If you've ever struggled to use a solderless breadboard with an Arduino, you understand how frustrating it can be! I designed this Arduino clone to solve this problem in an inexpensive DIY fashion. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/004/954/medium800/adafruit_products_72side_LRG.jpg?1396818316) The Boarduino is an Arduino clone: when programmed with the Arduino bootloader, it can talk to the Arduino software and run sketches just like the original. There are noticable differences between the Boarduino and the Arduino. - Shields cannot be used as the form factor is so different - There are two versions, a DC version and a USB version _For the DC version_ there isn't an on-board USB chip. This means you need to use a [USB-TTL](http://www.ftdichip.com/Products/EvaluationKits/TTL-232R.htm) cable or a [MiniUSB](http://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/MiniUSB) (or any other FTDI breakout board) which is not included. There are also no rx/tx LEDs and no rx/tx 1K series resistors. _For the USB version_, there is an on-board USB chip but there isn't a DC jack or 5V regulator, you can power it through the USB jack. There is a rx 1K resistor so you can use this to talk to serial accessories. - 16.00 MHz ceramic resonator is used instead of crystal, so cycle speed may be off by +- 0.3nS (0.5%). This isn't relevant for UART timing, servo drivers, PWM, etc. but could be an issue if you need nanosecond-precision timing. Note that the Arduino software only provides millisecond-precision timing for general sketches (1 second = 1000ms. 1ms = 1,000,000 ns) The specifications for the DC boarduino include: - Designed to plug into a breadboard for easy prototyping - Petite size, only 3" x 0.8" (75mm x 20mm) - All 'standard' pins are brought out - Digital 0 thru 13, Analog 0 thru 5, ARef, 5V, Ground, Vin and Reset - 2 LEDs, green power and red "pin 13" LED just like the Arduino Diecimila - Standard Reset button - ATmega328P, running at 16.00 MHz, just like the latest Arduino, the Duemilanove (note that the product photo above hasn't been updated) - 6-pin standard ICSP header - Standard 2.1mm DC jack (just like the original Arduino) with 5V regulator to run on 7V-17V power (DC) - USB or External power, selectable with a jumper (just like original Arduino) - 1N4001 diode protects against using incorrect wall adapter - 6-pin header at the end for a [USB-TTL cable](http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=70) - Auto-reset capability when used with a [USB-TTL cable](http://www.adafruit.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=70) - Available as a low cost kit with standard parts, so its never out of stock - All through-hole parts are easy to solder The specifications for the USB boarduino include: - Designed to plug into a breadboard for easy prototyping - Petite size, only 2.75 " x 0.8" (75mm x 20mm) - All 'standard' pins are brought out - Digital 0 thru 13, Analog 0 thru 5, ARef, 5V, Ground, 3.3V and Reset - 2 LEDs, green power and red "pin 13" LED just like the Arduino Diecimila - Standard Reset button - ATmega328, running at 16.00 MHz, just like the Duemilanove - 6-pin standard ICSP header - Standard mini-USB jack - USB or external power, selectable with a jumper - 500mA fuse protects your computer from current overdraw - Auto-reset capability - Available as a low cost kit with standard parts, so its never out of stock - All through-hole parts are easy to solder - SMT chip is presoldered & tested when purchased as a kit **[If you have a USB boarduino check this page for instructions!](http://learn.adafruit.com/boarduino-kits/usb-boarduino-assembly)** - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/boarduino-kits/make-it.md) ## Featured Products ### DC Boarduino (Arduino compatible) Kit (w/ATmega328) [DC Boarduino (Arduino compatible) Kit (w/ATmega328)](https://www.adafruit.com/product/72) If you've ever struggled to use a solderless breadboard with an Arduino, you understand how frustrating it can be! This clone acts just like an Arduino, and works with the latest Arduino software. For many projects it can even be preferable! The kit includes all parts necessary, the... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/72) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/72/guides) ### USB Boarduino (Arduino compatible) Kit w/ATmega328 [USB Boarduino (Arduino compatible) Kit w/ATmega328](https://www.adafruit.com/product/91) Note: These use genuine FTDI chips, either we purchase them or they are manufactured to our specifications with the requirement of genuine FTDI chips 10/22/14 - [read...](http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2014/10/22/ftdi-drivers-brick-counterfeit-chips-with-latest-windows-update/) No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/91) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/91/guides) ### FTDI Friend with Micro USB Port + extras [FTDI Friend with Micro USB Port + extras](https://www.adafruit.com/product/284) Long gone are the days of parallel ports and serial ports. Now the USB port reigns supreme! But USB is hard, and you just want to transfer your every-day serial data from a microcontroller to computer. What now? Enter the FTDI Friend! The FTDI Friend is a tweaked out FTDI FT232RL chip... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/284) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/284/guides) ### Full Sized Premium Breadboard - 830 Tie Points [Full Sized Premium Breadboard - 830 Tie Points](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239) This is a 'full-size' premium quality breadboard, 830 tie points. Good for small and medium projects. It's 2.2" x 7" (5.5 cm x 17 cm) with a standard double-strip in the middle and two power rails on both sides. You can pull the power rails off easily to make the... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/239) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/239/guides) ### Half Sized Premium Breadboard - 400 Tie Points [Half Sized Premium Breadboard - 400 Tie Points](https://www.adafruit.com/product/64) This is a cute, half-size breadboard with 400 tie points, good for small projects. It's 3.25" x 2.2" / 8.3cm x 5.5cm with a standard double-strip in the middle and two power rails on both sides. You can pull the power rails off easily to make the breadboard as... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/64) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/64/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit USB Power Gauge Mini-Kit](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-usb-power-gauge-mini-kit.md) - [How to Find Hidden COM Ports](https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-find-hidden-com-ports.md) - [Adafruit HUZZAH32 – ESP32 Breakout Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/huzzah32-esp32-breakout-board.md) - [XBee Radios](https://learn.adafruit.com/xbee-radios.md) - [Introducing Bluefruit EZ-Key](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-bluefruit-ez-key-diy-bluetooth-hid-keyboard.md) - [Trinket / Gemma IR Control](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-gemma-ir-remote-control.md) - [Home Automation in the Cloud with the ESP8266 & Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/home-automation-in-the-cloud-with-the-esp8266-and-adafruit-io.md) - [FTDI Friend](https://learn.adafruit.com/ftdi-friend.md) - [Adafruit HUZZAH ESP8266 breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-huzzah-esp8266-breakout.md) - [Internet of Things Printer](https://learn.adafruit.com/internet-of-things-printer.md) - [Bootloading Basics](https://learn.adafruit.com/bootloader-basics.md) - [CircuitPython Libraries on Linux and ODROID C2](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-libaries-linux-odroid-c2.md) - [Building and Running MicroPython on the ESP8266](https://learn.adafruit.com/building-and-running-micropython-on-the-esp8266.md) - [Trinket Powered Analog Meter Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/trinket-powered-analog-meter-clock.md) - [Adafruit MENTA Kit](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-menta-kit-mint-tin-arduino-compatible.md)