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Arduino Microcontroller Feature Comparison
Arduino is fast becoming one of the most popular microcontrollers used in robotics. There are many different types of Arduino microcontrollers which differ not only in design and features, but also in size and processing capabilities. In this article, you’ll understand the differences between the Arduino Microcontrollers.
There are many features that are common to all Arduino boards, making them very versatile. All Arduino boards are based around the ATMEGA AVR series microcontrollers from ATMEL which feature both analog and digital pins. Arduino also created software which is compatible with all Arduino microcontrollers. The software, also called Arduino, can be used to program any of the Arduino microcontrollers by selecting them from a drop-down menu. Being open source, and based around C, Arduino users are not necessarily restricted to this software, and can use a variety of other software to program the microcontrollers.
The smallest Arduino product is the Arduino Mini Light which is a 24-pin microcontroller without any connectors soldered. The unit features 8 analog pins and 14 digital pins. The module is based around the ATMEGA168 processor. The only different between the Arduino Mini and the Arduino Mini Light is that the Arduino Mini has pre-soldered pin headers.
|
|
Microcontroller |
ATmega168 |
| Operating Voltage |
5V |
| Input Voltage |
7-9 V |
| Digital I/O Pins |
14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
8 (of which 4 are broken out onto pins) |
| DC Current per I/O Pin |
40 mA |
| Flash Memory |
16 KB (2 KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM |
1 KB |
| EEPROM |
512 bytes |
| Clock Speed |
16 MHz |
The Arduino Pro Mini 8MHz and 16MHz are also breadboard mountable and are a bit longer than the Arduino Mini. The Pro Mini 8MHz operates on 3.3V while the 16Mhz operates at 5V. Both feature 6 analog I/O and 14 digital I/O. The manufacturer has marked the back of the PCB to indicate which is which.
|
|
Microcontroller |
ATmega168 |
| Operating Voltage |
3.3V or 5V (depending on model) |
| Input Voltage |
3.35 -12 V (3.3V model) or 5 - 12 V (5V model) |
| Digital I/O Pins |
14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
6 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin |
40 mA |
| Flash Memory |
16 KB (of which 2 KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM |
1 KB |
| EEPROM |
512 bytes |
| Clock Speed |
8 MHz (3.3V model), 16 MHz (5V model) |
The last breadboard mountable Arduino is the Arduino Nano. This microcontroller distinguishes itself from the others by having the USB to serial chip and connector onboard. The Nano has 8 analog pins and 14 digital pins.
|
|
Microcontroller |
Atmel ATmega328 |
| Operating Voltage (logic level) |
5 V |
| Input Voltage (recommended) |
7-12 V |
| Input Voltage (limits) |
6-20 V |
| Digital I/O Pins |
14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
8 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin |
40 mA |
| Flash Memory |
32 KB (2KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM |
2 KB |
| EEPROM |
1 KB |
Next is the Arduino Lilypad. The Lilypad stands out from all other microcontrollers because of its round, purple PCB. The lilypad was originally intended to be sewn into clothing, though enthusiasts have found many other applications for it. If you’re cautious, the Lilypad can also be washed along with the clothing. The Lilypad requires as little as 2.7V to work.
|
|
Microcontroller |
ATmega168V |
| Operating Voltage |
2.7-5.5 V |
| Input Voltage |
2.7-5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins |
14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
6 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin |
40 mA |
| Flash Memory |
16 KB (of which 2 KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM |
1 KB |
| EEPROM |
512 bytes |
| Clock Speed |
8 MHz |
The next Arduino boards have the classic Arduino board shape and can’t be mounted on breadboards. The smallest in this line is the Arduino Pro. Some of the advantages to this board are its operating voltage range, which is 3.3 to 12V, its smaller footprint and lighter weight. The Pro doesn’t come with pin headers and although it’s smaller than other Arduino boards, it’s still compatible with Arduino shields.
|
|
Microcontroller |
ATmega168 |
| Operating Voltage |
3.3V |
| Input Voltage |
3.35 -12 V |
| Digital I/O Pins |
14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
6 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin |
40 mA |
| Flash Memory |
16 KB (of which 2 KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM |
1 KB |
| EEPROM |
512 bytes |
| Clock Speed |
8 MHz |
Next is the most popular of the Arduino microcontrollers, the Diecimila, and the more recent variation, the Duemilanove. These boards come pre-assembled and ready to use. The Duemilanove is based around the ATMEGA328 chip while the Diecimilla used the ATMEGA128.
|
|
Microcontroller |
ATmega168 |
| Operating Voltage |
5V |
| Input Voltage (recommended) |
7-12V |
| Input Voltage (limits) |
6-20V |
| Digital I/O Pins |
14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
6 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin |
40 mA |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin |
50 mA |
| Flash Memory |
16 KB (ATmega168) or 32 KB (ATmega328)
of which 2 KB used by bootloader |
|
|
On one side of the board there are 14 digital input/output pins as well as a ground pin and a reference pin which acts as voltage reference for the analog pins. Pin zero doubles as serial input, and pin 1 doubles for serial output. On the other side of the board, you’ll find 6 analog pins, as well as a voltage input pin, two ground pins and a reset pin. The board also has both a 3.3V and 5V output pins.
You can power the board any of three ways: directly via the USB port, using the power connector, or the Vin and ground pins. The ATMEGA chip is removable from the board. This is especially useful if you have fried the processor and need to replace it, or you can use the board alone as a USB to serial interface.
Next on the list is the Arduino Bluetooth. The layout of the board is identical to that of the Duemilanove, but with one big difference. The Arduino Bluetooth board replaces the USB plug with a Bluetooth module, meaning you program it remotely. Take note that the board has different power requirements than the Duemilanove and doesn’t have a 3.3V output pin. The 9V output pin indicated on the board is not actually functional.
|
|
Microcontroller |
ATmega168 |
| Operating Voltage |
5V |
| Input Voltage |
1.2-5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins |
14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
8 (4 are broken out onto pins) |
| DC Current per I/O Pin |
40 mA |
| Flash Memory |
16 KB (of which 2 KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM |
1 KB |
| EEPROM |
512 bytes |
| Clock Speed |
16 MHz |
The most recent addition to the Arduino lineup is the Arduino MEGA. This board is physically larger than all the other boards and offers significantly more digital and analog pins. The MEGA uses a different processor allowing greater program size and more.
|
|
Microcontroller |
ATmega1280 |
| Operating Voltage |
5V |
| Input Voltage (recommended) |
7-12V |
| Input Voltage (limits) |
6-20V |
| Digital I/O Pins |
54 (of which 14 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
16 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin |
40 mA |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin |
50 mA |
| Flash Memory |
128 KB of which 4 KB used by bootloader |
| SRAM |
8 KB |
| EEPROM |
4 KB |
| Clock Speed |
16 MHz |
Arduino is open source; you are free to download the schematics and programming software and develop them as you wish. If you want to market your new design as an Arduino however, there is an approval process. For more information about the Arduino microcontrollers, different variants and accessories, click here.