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.
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 cable or a 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
- Auto-reset capability when used with a USB-TTL cable
- 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!
Page last edited March 08, 2024
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