Planet Arduino

Hello, the device I am going to review is the MaUWB_DW3000 with STM32 AT Command. This is an Ultra-wideband (UWB) module from MakerFabs. The core UWB module on this board is the DW3000 UWB transceiver, and it is also equipped with an ESP32 microcontroller programmable with the Arduino IDE, as well as OLED display. The manufacturer claims that this UWB board resolves multiple anchors and tags mutual conflicts and supports up to 8 anchors and 64 tags. Additionally, the manufacturer has added an STM32 microcontroller to handle UWB multiplexing, allowing users to control the core UWB module by simply sending AT commands from an ESP32 microcontroller to the STM32 microcontroller. More information about this UWB board can be found on the manufacturer’s website. “MaUWB_DW3000 with STM32 AT Command” unboxing MakerFabs sent the package to me from China. Inside the package, there were 4 sets of the MaUWB_DW3000 with STM32 AT [...]

The post “MaUWB_DW3000 with STM32 AT Command” Review – Using Arduino to test UWB range, precision, indoor positioning appeared first on CNX Software - Embedded Systems News.

Arduino is an open-source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. It’s intended for anyone doing interactive projects. Arduino programming is done using a simple IDE that runs on your computer. In this article, we’ll recommend the best laptops for Arduino programming to help you get started on your next project.

Are you short on time? Check our top choices!

Apple MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip	Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio	Razer Blade 15 Laptop
Processor: Apple M2 chip Hard Disk Size: 512 GB Ram Memory Size: 8 GB	Processor: Intel Core i7-11700 Hard Disk Size: 1 TB Ram Memory Size: 32 GB	Processor: Intel Core i7-11800H Hard Disk Size: 1 TB Ram Memory Size: 16 GB
Check Price	Check Price	Check Price

Apple MacBook Air Laptop With M2 Chip

Apple has announced a new version of its popular MacBook Air laptop, which now comes with an M2 chip specifically for programming Arduino boards. The new laptop also features 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB hard disk size. Its screen size remains at 13.6 inches.

This latest version of the MacBook Air is ideal for those who want to use it for programming purposes. The M2 chip makes it easy to compile code and work with Arduino boards. In addition, the storage capacity will be welcomed by users who want to store more data and files on their computers.

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

Arduino programming is a breeze on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, thanks to its large 14.4″ touchscreen display and powerful Intel Core i7-11700 processor. With 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of hard disk space, you’ll have plenty of room to store your sketches and programs.

The Surface Laptop Studio is a great choice for programming Arduino because it is lightweight and portable yet still has enough power to handle even the most complex programming tasks. Plus, the large touchscreen display makes it easy to see your code and make changes on the fly. And if you need more storage space or processing power, you can always upgrade the RAM or storage size later on.

Razer Blade 15 Laptop

If you’re looking for a laptop to do some Arduino programming on, the Razer Blade 15 is a great option. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-11800H processor and has 16GB of RAM. Plus, it has a 1TB hard drive and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card.

The Razer Blade 15 also comes with a handy Thunderbolt 3 port, making it easy to connect to external peripherals like an Arduino board. And if you need even more power, you can always opt for the Razer Blade Pro 17, which features an even more powerful processor and graphics card.

Apple MacBook Pro Laptop With M2 Chip

Apple’s new MacBook Pro comes with an M2 chip and a hard disk size of 512 GB. This 8-core CPU laptop is ideal for Arduino programming. With its powerful processor and large hard drive, the MacBook Pro can handle any Arduino project you throw at it.

This powerful machine is capable of running the Arduino IDE and compiling sketches quickly. The built-in M2 chip provides plenty of processing power for even the most complex sketches. The display is perfect for viewing code, and the backlit keyboard makes it easy to work in low-light conditions. The touch bar can be customized to provide quick access to the most frequently used tools.

Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop

The Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop is specifically designed for those interested in Arduino programming. Its Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor and 16 GB of LPDDR4x RAM make it more than capable of handling complex Arduino projects.

Plus, its 512 GB SSD provides plenty of storage space for your code and data. And at just over 2.8 pounds, it’s one of the most compact laptops on the market, making it perfect for those on the go. So if you’re looking for a laptop that can keep up with your Arduino programming ambitions, the Dell XPS 13 9310 Touchscreen Laptop is definitely worth considering.

The Buyer’s Guide

Things to Consider Before Buying a Laptop for Arduino Programming

When it comes to laptops, there are a few things you need to take into account before making a purchase for Arduino programming. The most important factor is processor speed. You’ll want a laptop with a fast processor so that your programs can run quickly and smoothly. Another thing to consider is the amount of RAM. Having more RAM will allow you to store more data and programs on your laptop. Lastly, make sure the laptop has enough storage space for all of your files and programs.

Laptop CPU

While any computer can be used for Arduino programming, using a laptop CPU has some advantages. Laptops are portable, so you can take your project with you and work on it anywhere. They also tend to have more powerful processors than desktop computers, so compiling and uploading code will be faster.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re looking for a laptop to use for Arduino programming. Look for a model with an Intel Core i5 or i7 processor if you are looking for a Windows-based laptop, or M1 or M2 chip if you are looking for MacBook.

Laptop RAM

If you’re looking to get the most out of your Arduino programming, you’ll need to make sure you have enough RAM on your laptop.

The minimum amount of RAM you’ll need is 4GB, but 8GB or more is even better.

With the right amount of RAM, you’ll be able to run multiple programs and sketches simultaneously without any issues.

HDD vs. SSD for Arduino Programming

Anyone who has ever tried to use a laptop for Arduino programming knows that the process can be painfully slow. This is often due to the fact that the laptop’s hard drive needs to be faster to keep up with the demands of the Arduino IDE.

There are two main types of hard drives: HDD and SSD. HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive, and SSD stands for Solid State Drive. Both types of drives have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to Arduino programming.

HDD drives are much cheaper than SSD drives, but they are also much slower. This can make a big difference when you’re trying to compile programs or upload sketches to your Arduino board.

SSD drives are much faster than HDD drives, but they are also more expensive. If you are serious about programming with Arduino, you should consider buying an SSD drive. This will make your life much easier when it comes to writing code and uploading sketches.

Laptop Price

If you’re looking for a laptop to use for Arduino programming, you may be wondering how much you should expect to pay. Here’s a look at some of the factors that can affect laptop prices for this type of work.

The type of processor in your laptop will affect its price, with faster processors tending to be more expensive. You’ll also need a fair amount of RAM to run Arduino programming software smoothly, so laptops with lower amounts of RAM may not be suitable.

Storage is another important factor to consider, as you’ll need space to store your Arduino sketches and other files. Laptops with large hard drives or solid state drives will be more expensive than those with smaller storage capacities.

The brand and model of laptop can also affect the price, with some models being more expensive than others.

Windows vs. Linux vs. macOS for Arduino Programming

When it comes to programming Arduino, there are three main operating systems that people use: Windows, Linux, and macOS. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a look at each one to help you decide which is best for your needs.

Windows is the most popular operating system for Arduino programming. It’s easy to use and there are a lot of resources available for beginners. However, it can be difficult to get some of the more advanced features working properly.

Linux is a great option for those who want more control over their operating system. It’s also very stable and has a lot of features that Windows doesn’t have. However, it can be challenging to learn if you’re not familiar with it.

macOS is a great choice if you’re looking for an operating system that’s easy to use and has all the features you need.

FAQ

Are AMD-based laptops good for Arduino programming?

Yes, AMD-based laptops are good for Arduino programming. They are fast and have a lot of features that make them ideal for programming.

Are Intel-based laptops good for Arduino programming?

Yes, Intel-based laptops are good for Arduino programming. They are fast and have a lot of features that make programming easier.

Which is better: Intel or AMD for Arduino programming?

There is no definitive answer to this question since it depends on personal preferences and what you plan to use your Arduino for. For example, some people prefer Intel processors because they are faster and more powerful, while others prefer AMD processors because they are more affordable. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide which is best for your needs.

Is 4 GB of RAM enough for a laptop for Arduino programming?

Yes, 4 GB of RAM is enough for a laptop for Arduino programming. The minimum requirements for the Arduino IDE are 512 MB of RAM and a 1 GHz processor.

Are MacBooks good for Arduino programming?

Yes, MacBooks are good for Arduino programming. They have a variety of ports and connections that make it easy to connect to an Arduino board, and the macOS operating system is very stable and easy to use.

Are Asus laptops good for Arduino programming?

Yes, Asus laptops are great for Arduino programming. They have a lot of features that make them ideal for coding and programming, and they’re also very affordable.

Are Dell laptops good for Arduino programming?

Yes, Dell laptops are good for Arduino programming. They have a lot of features that make them ideal for programming, including a large display and a full-sized keyboard.

Are Acer laptops good for Arduino programming?

Yes, Acer laptops are good choice for Arduino programming. They are affordable and have all the features you need to get started with programming Arduino.

Are Lenovo laptops good for Arduino programming?

Yes, in most cases, Lenovo laptops are good for Arduino programming. They are well-built and have good performance. However, some users have complained about poor quality control, so be sure to do your research before buying one.

Do you need a powerful laptop for Arduino programming?

No, you don’t need a powerful laptop for Arduino programming. But a powerful laptop will make the process easier and faster, but it’s not necessary.

Related Video: How To Pick The Best Laptop For Programming

Summing Up

In conclusion, the best laptops for Arduino programming are the MacBook Air/Pro with an M2 chip, the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, the Razer Blade 15 Laptop, and the Dell XPS 13 9310. All of these laptops have the necessary specs for running Arduino programming software, and they also have other features that make them stand out from the rest. So, if you’re in the market for a new laptop to use for your Arduino programming projects, be sure to check out these four models.

The post The 5 Best Laptops for Arduino Programming: Ultimate Guide appeared first on NerdyTechy.

As the name implies, the OSEP STEM board is an embedded project board primarily aimed at education. You use jumper wires to connect components and a visual block coding language to make it go.

I have fond memories of kits from companies like Radio Shack that had dozens of parts on a board, with spring terminals to connect them with jumper wires. Advertised with clickbait titles like “200 in 1”, you’d get a book showing how to wire the parts to make a radio, or an alarm, or a light blinker, or whatever.

The STEM Kit 1 is sort of a modern arduino-powered version of these kits. The board hosts a stand-alone Arduino UNO clone (included with the kit) and also has a host of things you might want to hook to it. Things like the speakers and stepper motors have drivers on board so you can easily drive them from the arduino. You get a bunch of jumper wires to make the connections, too. Most things that need to be connected to something permanently (like ground) are prewired on the PCB. The other connections use a single pin. You can see this arrangement with the three rotary pots which have a single pin next to the label (“POT1”, etc.).

I’m a sucker for a sale, so when I saw a local store had OSEPP’s STEM board for about $30, I had to pick one up. The suggested price for these boards is $150, but most of the time I see them listed for about $100. At the deeply discounted price I couldn’t resist checking it out.

So does an embedded many-in-one project kit like this one live up to that legacy? I spent some time with the board. Bottom line, if you can find a deal on the price I think it’s worth it. At full price, perhaps not. Join me after the break as I walk through what the OSEPP has to offer.

What’s Onboard?

There are plenty of input and output devices:

• 7 Push Buttons
• Potentiometers (3 rotary and 1 slide)
• Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR)
• Light Sensor
• Sound Sensor
• LM35 Temperature Sensor
• 10 LEDs (various colors)
• Servo Motor
• Stepper Motor
• DC Motor
• LCD Display
• Buzzer
• Speaker
• RGB LED

In addition, the kit comes with an ultrasonic distance sensor in a little bracket that can connect to the stepper motor. That’s the only part that needs power and ground that isn’t already wired up.

Because the heart of the board is an Arduino UNO clone, you can do anything you like to program it. However, OSEPP touts their visual block diagram language that is basically Scratch. You can use it for free on most platforms and there is even a Web-based version although it can’t download code. It looks like Scratch or other block-oriented systems you’ve seen before.

I’m not usually fond of the visual block languages, but this one at least shows you the actual Arduino code it generates, so that isn’t bad. But you can still use any other method you like such as the standard IDE or PlatformIO.

You can see a video about the board, below.

The Good and the Bad

The board feels substantial and able to withstand a good bit of abuse. There’s a good range of components, and I like that the arduino is a real daughter board and not just built onto the PCB. Despite using the block language, I do like the tutorial booklet. It is very slick and has projects ranging from an IR doorbell to a mini piano. You can see a page below — very colorful and clear.

Of course, the suggested retail price of $150 is a bit offputting. You might think a breadboard with a handful of LEDs and other parts would be a much lower-cost option but just look around for arduino kits for beginners and you’ll find prices are all over the place. On the other hand, with a parts kit you would have to know how to wire up things like stepper motors or DC motors, so there is some value to having it already done for you. There’s also value in not having a bag of parts to misplace.

The jumper wires in the kit have pins on one side and sockets on the other. The pins go into the Arduino’s connector and the sockets go over pins on the components. These aren’t quite as reliable as a spring clip and not as versatile either.

In my mind the worst part of the kit design is that the pins are right next to each of the components. That’s good for understanding, but it makes a mess of wiring. For instance, there are ten LEDs, and connecting them all means stretching jumper wires to both edges of the board The jumpers aren’t very long either, so any complex project is going to have wires crisscrossing the sensors and LCD.

Granted, in this image I could have removed some of the wires from the bundles but that wouldn’t help that much, either. If you need to hook up more than a few of the available components you will have a mess. I would have put some sort of spring clip or even screw terminals and put them all on the top and bottom of the board with clear color-coded marking about where they connect. Then the wiring would all be out of the way. There are probably a few other ways they could have gone, and at this price, they could afford the few extra inches on the PCB.

There are a few other things that would have been nice touches to finish off this kit. I would have enjoyed a short chapter in the booklet about using the Arduino IDE directly so that people know it exists. And having even a small breadboard attached for your own exploration would make sense, but would then call for a different type of jumper wire.

Short Example Using the Distance Sensor

I wanted to do something with the board so I decided to play with the distance sensor and the servo. The distance sensor is a bit annoying both because you have to wire it all up and it has a tendency to fall off when you transport the board.

The demo (you can find it online) won’t win any originality prizes. The program moves the servo to scan from 0 to 180 degrees in 5 degree increments. It measures the distance of what’s in front of it. When it completes a scan, if it saw something close (you could adjust the sensitivity), it moves the sensor back to that position and waits 30 seconds. Otherwise, it keeps scanning.

Really, this is no different from any other Arduino program. That’s kind of the point. Despite the emphasis in the book on the point-and-click language, this is really just an Arduino.

In Summary

For the deep sale price I found, the board will work well for its intended audience of students or anyone starting out with Arduino or microcontrollers. Even a more advanced audience who just wants a way to hammer out a quick prototype might find it worth the $30 or $40 you can sometimes pay. But at full price, it is hard to imagine this makes sense because of the mess of wire routing and limited expansion options.

These eight boards stand out for their advanced specs, built-in offerings, and, in some cases, their innovative interface options.

Read more on MAKE

The post From the New Issue of Make: Our 8 Standout Dev Boards appeared first on Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers.

In a recent post, I talked about using the “Blue Pill” STM32 module with the Arduino IDE. I’m not a big fan of the Arduino IDE, but I will admit it is simple to use which makes it good for simple things.

I’m not a big fan of integrated development environments (IDE), in general. I’ve used plenty of them, especially when they are tightly tied to the tool I’m trying to use at the time. But when I’m not doing anything special, I tend to just write my code in emacs. Thinking about it, I suppose I really don’t mind an IDE if it has tools that actually help me. But if it is just a text editor and launches a few commands, I can do that from emacs or another editor of my choice. The chances that your favorite IDE is going to have as much editing capability and customization as emacs are close to zero. Even if you don’t like emacs, why learn another editor if there isn’t a clear benefit in doing so?

There are ways, of course, to use other tools with the Arduino and other frameworks and I decided to start looking at them. After all, how hard can it be to build Arduino code? If you want to jump straight to the punch line, you can check out the video, below.

Turns Out…

It turns out, the Arduino IDE does a lot more than providing a bare-bones editor and launching a few command line tools. It also manages a very convoluted build process. The build process joins a lot of your files together, adds headers based on what it thinks you are doing, and generally compiles one big file, unless you’ve expressly included .cpp or .c files in your build.

That means just copying your normal Arduino code (I hate to say sketch) doesn’t give you anything you can build with a normal compiler. While there are plenty of makefile-based solutions, there’s also a tool called PlatformIO that purports to be a general-purpose solution for building on lots of embedded platforms, including Arduino.

About PlatformIO

Although PlatformIO claims to be an IDE, it really is a plugin for the open source Atom editor. However, it also has plugins for a lot of other IDEs. Interestingly enough, it even supports emacs. I know not everyone appreciates emacs, so I decided to investigate some of the other options. I’m not talking about VIM, either.

I wound up experimenting with two IDEs: Atom and Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Since PlatformIO has their 2.0 version in preview, I decided to try it. You might be surprised that I’m using Microsoft’s Code tool. Surprisingly, it runs on Linux and supports many things through plugins, including an Arduino module and, of course, PlatformIO. It is even available as source under an MIT license. The two editors actually look a lot alike, as you can see.

PlatformIO supports a staggering number of boards ranging from Arduino to ESP82666 to mBed boards to Raspberry Pi. It also supports different frameworks and IDEs. If you are like me and just like to be at the command line, you can use PlatformIO Core which is command line-driven.

In fact, that’s one of the things you first notice about PlatformIO is that it can’t decide if it is a GUI tool or a command line tool. I suspect some of that is in the IDE choice, too. For example, with Code, you have to run the projection initialization tool in a shell prompt. Granted, you can open a shell inside Code, but it is still a command line. Even on the PlatformIO IDE (actually, Atom), changing the Blue Pill framework from Arduino to mBed requires opening an INI file and changing it. Setting the upload path for an FRDM-KL46 required the same sort of change.

Is it Easy?

Don’t get me wrong. I personally don’t mind editing a file or issuing a command from a prompt. However, it seems like this kind of tool will mostly appeal to someone who does. I like that the command line tools exist. But it does make it seem odd when some changes are done in a GUI and some are done from the command line.

That’s fixable, of course. However, I do have another complaint that I feel bad for voicing because I don’t have a better solution. PlatformIO does too much. In theory, that’s the strength of it. I can write my code and not care how the mBed libraries or written or the Arduino tools munge my source code. I don’t even have to set up a tool chain because PlatformIO downloads everything I need the first time I use it.

When that works it is really great. The problem is when it doesn’t. For example, on the older version of PlatformIO, I had trouble getting the mBed libraries to build for a different target. I dug around and found the issue but it wasn’t easy. Had I built the toolchain and been in control of the process, I would have known better how to troubleshoot.

In the end, too, you will have to troubleshoot. PlatformIO aims at moving targets. Every time the Arduino IDE or the mBed frameworks or anything else changes, there is a good chance it will break something. When it does, you are going to have to work to fix it until the developers fix it for you. If you can do that, it is a cost in time. But I suspect the people who will be most interested in PlatformIO will be least able to fix it when it breaks.

Bottom Line

If you want to experiment with a different way of building programs — and more importantly, a single way to create and build — you should give PlatformIO a spin. When it works, it works well. Here are a few links to get you started:

• The PlatformIO IDE (requires Atom)
• PlatformIO Core (not needed if you install an IDE package)
• Visual Studio Code (install PlatformIO from within the IDE)

Bottom line, when it works, it works great. When it doesn’t it is painful. Should you use it? It is handy, there’s no doubt about that. The integration with Code is pretty minimal. The Atom integration — while not perfect — is much more seamless. However, if you learn to use the command line tools, it almost doesn’t matter. Use whatever editor you like, and I do like that. If you do use it, just hope it doesn’t break and maybe have a backup plan if it does.

Filed under: Arduino Hacks, ARM, Hackaday Columns, reviews, Skills

A little board that adds WiFi to any project for a few hundreds of pennies has been all the rage for at least half a year. I am referring to the ESP8266 and this product is a marrige of one of those WiFi modules with the support hardware required to get it running. This week I’m reviewing the HUZZAH ESP8266 Breakout by Adafruit Industries.

If you saw the article [cnlohr] woite for us about direct programming this board you will know that a good chunk of that post covered what you need to do just to get the module into programming mode. This required adding a regulated 3.3V source, and a way to pull one of the pins to ground when resetting the power rail. Not only does the HUZZAH take care of that for you, it turns the non-breadboard friendly module into a DIP form factor while breaking out way more pins than the most common module offers. All of this and the price tag is just $9.95. Join me after the break for the complete run-down.

The Hardware

This board is about 1.5 inches by 1 inch… like two postage stamps side-by-side. It hosts the FCC and CE approved module which we first heard about in December. These modules need a 3.3v supply and there is a regultor on board which can supply up to 500mA (the module can consume as much as 250mA) and can be fed by a battery, USB power, or any other 5V supply. As I mentioned earlier you need to pull a pin low during reset to put the module in programming mode. There are two switches on the board that facilitate this, hold the user button down and press reset and you’re ready to flash.

On a breadboard you’ll have two rows not covered by the board on one side, and one row on the other. The board doesn’t have a USB-to-UART bridge but we’re fine with that. On one end of the board you’ll find the common pinout for a USB-to-serial programming cable. Above you can see the programming cable Adafruit sent me with these samples. To the right I tried out my 5V Sparkfun FTDI board and as advertised, the HUZZAH can be programmed with either 3.3v or 5V logic levels.

The one thing I noticed is that the two buttons are a bit tricky to get at with the programmers connected, especially the FTDI board. For the second module I may supply my own right-angle header to get around that. Of course doing so would cover part of the breadboard so this is probably six of one, half dozen of the other.

I love it that they supply the pin headers but don’t solder them. Sometimes I prefer pin sockets or unpopulated pads, and this makes it easy for me to make that choice like the right-angle one I mentioned above. It’s something small but I also appreciate that the pinheaders in the package were not the minimum number necessary for this board — there were a few extra pins. You need to break them off and sometimes they can break one pin over from where you expected. If it were the minimum number you would either start over or solder a single pin at the end of the row (not ideal). If you screw up snapping these you could conceivably use a set of three pins and the rest as one unit to fix your mistake. Maybe I’m weird but it’s the small things in life!

Programming Options: NodeMCU and Lua

The board ships with this firmware on it. I was up and running with the Lua interpreter within three minutes of the package arriving at my door. Seriously, it took me longer to figure out if the USB-to-serial was green or white for TX/RX than it did to connect to my local WiFi Access point. Adafuit’s ‘Hello World’ walkthrough gets you going if you haven’t given this a try before.

Programming Options: Arduino IDE

Adafruit has a Board Manager for Arduino IDE. Perhaps this is common knowledge but I don’t often work with this IDE and it’s the first time I’ve run into it. What can I say, it kicks ass!

I hate setting up tool chains for new chips. With this you add a web address and port number, restart the IDE, and use the board manager to add support for this board. Sweet!

That turns this into an Arduino compatible board which solves something that has long bothered me. I’ve seen a ton of really simple Arduino projects that use the ESP8266 externally. Last month’s porting of the Arduino framework for these chips, coupled with this ready-to-go hardware does away with that nonsense. Seriously, the vast majority of those projects need little to no computing power and will work like a dream when directly programmed onto this chip.

To prove my point, I knocked out this quick binary counter that uses five LEDs as outputs. I’m not leveraging any of the WiFi features on this, but the compiled binary is 174,358 bytes and the Arduino IDE reports this board has a max capacity of 524,288 bytes. It five I/O used for LEDs there are still four more digital pins, the two UART pins, and an ADC input.

Programming Options: esptool

Arduino will overwrite NodeMCU but that’s easy to reflash. I followed [cnlohr’s] direct programming guide to write the binary using esptool. Both this method and the Arduino method are directly programming the EEPROM on the module. This is exactly the same method you’d use if you wanted to develop natively using the Espressif or the Open Source SDKs. Here’s the commands I used to reflash the NodeMCU firmware:

sudo python esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 write_flash 0x0000 /home/mike/Downloads/nodemcu_latest.bin

Get the NodeMCU binary from their “latest” folder of github repo.

Conclusion

“Buy as many of these as [Phil] will make for us.” That’s what I’ve asked [Julian], the Hackaday Store manager to do. You should be able to get the Hackaday black version of this in a few weeks. Adafruit is currently sold out but I’m sure they’re racing to remedy this.

These are amazing little boards. The price of $9.95 is crazy considering what you get for it. I’m talking about the entire ecosystem which gives you multiple flavors of programming environments. Adafruit has done a lot to contribute to the code and knowledge base here, but a mammoth portion of this is community developed and I think coming in low on the price is one more way Adafruit has chosen to be a good guy in this ecosystem. The board has a ton of I/O for what it is, and if that’s not enough just, implement I2C, SPI, or UART to couple a beefy uC to the connectivity this one brings to the party. I see zero downside on this board. It’s as close to perfect as you can get.

Filed under: Arduino Hacks, Hackaday Columns, reviews

We originally heard about the FemtoDuino last year. It looked good enough and tiny enough, but we didn’t really have a need for it. Recently though, we started on a new project (which you can follow on the forums!) which required an easy modification to an existing circuit. Space and weight were quite important so we decided to pick up a couple femtoduinos at $25 each, and give them a try.

These things are tiny. Their foot print is 20.7×15.2mm. You can see in the picture below, with a quarter for reference. Tiny. Frankly, there’s not much to say about them. They’re an Atmega328 that is arduino compatible. I plan on using my redbull Arduino to program this thing, since you need to bring your own serial interface.

If you’re anything like me, you have atrociously sloppy soldering and shaky shaky hands. I was a bit concerned about actually getting those wires soldered in without bridging the pads. I was able to pull it off though.  Here’s a video so you can see how horrible my soldering technique and equipment are.

I really don’t have any complaints about this thing, it works just like an arduino but smaller. The closest thing to a complaint is that the silk screening is a bit blurry making it difficult to read which pins are what. It isn’t horrible, but it isn’t perfect either.  We really couldn’t think of much else so we decided a haiku would cover it.

one arduino
much smaller than a quarter
Femtoduino

Of course, if you want to follow along and see if I end up with complaints, you can watch me build these battling star wars themed R/C cars.

Filed under: arduino hacks, reviews

For those of you that can’t make a decision between buying an Arduino and a PIC processor, [Brad] has come up with a novel solution, the PICnDuino. We’ve featured him before with his [Retroball] project, but this time Brad has been full funded on Kickstarter, and is pre-selling boards for delivery in March.

[HAD], specifically I, was fortunate enough to be sent one of the boards to try out early. I’ve worked with an Arduino before, but never a PIC processor, so read on to see if it was actually as easy as the tutorial video (at the end of the article) would have you believe it is to get started.

I was sent both a black board fully populated, as well as several blanks in the various colors pictured below.  After loosely attaching the headers, I found that the oscillator on the bottom makes the board sit up a bit when placed into a breadboard. This is actually a clever design feature to make sit up a bit to allow USB attachment while breadboarded. After a quick physical inspection, the real trick would be seeing if it worked as advertised.

The first challenge for me was that, according to the documentation, this board runs in Windows or a virtualisation environment. I normally run Ubuntu, so, grabbing my wife’s circa 2000 vintage XP notebook, I downloaded and Amicus and Arduino software as explained in the video tutorial. The tutorial really spells out how to get the software running. This would be great for a total beginner, and made it so I didn’t have to even poke around for where to get the software.

The only issue I had connecting to the board(s?)was that I had to manually install the Amicus18 USB driver. I’m a total noob when it comes to the PIC processor, and only have limited experience with the Arduino, but once the driver was updated, it was quite easy to get everything going.

After programming a “blink” sketch using it as an Arduino, I then flipped a switch and opened the Amicus IDE. Programming the PIC was also simple, although I had to use a and modify a program called “LED_Flash” to match the video instead of the “blink” program as described in the tutorial. It was a bit strange to see the built in blinking light for the Arduino still working while the PIC was being programmed, as well as both built-in lights blinking slightly offset while running simultaneously.

The documentation is extremely well done for a product that won’t even be available for delivery until March 2013. I’m really excited to play with it more, and I think it will be a great tool for people to either run two processors simultaneously, or just have the option of learning to program both a PIC and (n) Arduino. So check it out here, and get it shipped worldwide straight out of Australia!

Side note, bonus points if you can tell from the two pictures what kind of computer I used for this review!

Filed under: arduino hacks, reviews