1. What is Arduino?
Arduino is an open-source software and software company, project, and user community that designs and manufactures single-board microcontrollers and microcontroller kits for building digital devices.
Arduino board designs use a variety of microprocessors and controllers. The boards are equipped with sets of digital and analogue input/output (I/O) pins that may be interfaced with various expansion boards (‘shields’) or breadboards (for prototyping) and other circuits. The boards feature serial communications interfaces, including Universal Serial Bus (USB) on some models, which are also used for loading programs from personal computers. The microcontrollers can be programmed using the C and C++ programming languages, using a standard API which is also known as the “Arduino language”. In addition to using traditional compiler toolchains, the Arduino project provides an integrated development environment (IDE) and a command-line tool (Arduino-CLI) developed in Go.
2. Official Boards
There are various types of Arduino development boards available in the market. These include:
<>To get the comparison among various Arduino boards, click here.
<>For more related topics, click here and check the links provided.
1.Arduino Diecimila
The Arduino Diecimila is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega168. It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button.
>>Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | ATmega168 |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| 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 | 6 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 40 mA |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin | 50 mA |
| Flash Memory | 16 KB (of which 2 KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM | 1 KB |
| EEPROM | 512 bytes |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz |
>>Special feature
Rather then requiring a physical press of the reset button before an upload, the Arduino Diecimila is designed in a way that allows it to be reset by software running on a connected computer. One of the hardware flow control lines (DTR) of the FT232RL is connected to the reset line of the ATmega168 via a 100 nano farad capacitor. When this line is asserted (taken low), the reset line drops long enough to reset the chip.
For further details, click here.
2.Arduino Uno
The Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P. It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator (CSTCE16M0V53-R0), a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with an AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.
>>Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | ATmega328P – 8-bit AVR family microcontroller |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| Recommended Input Voltage | 7-12V |
| Input Voltage Limits | 6-20V |
| Analog Input Pins | 6 (A0 – A5) |
| Digital I/O Pins | 14 (Out of which 6 provide PWM output) |
| UART | 1 |
| I2C | 1 |
| SPPI | 1 |
| DC Current on I/O Pins | 40 mA |
| DC Current on 3.3V Pin | 50 mA |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB (0.5 KB is used for Bootloader) |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 1 KB |
| Frequency (Clock Speed) | 16 MHz |
| Length | 68.6mm |
| Width | 53.4mm |
| Weight | 25g |
>>Special feature
Uno is the most widely used Arduino development board. It owes its commonness to its compact size, ease of interfacing, and availability at a reasonable price. Its the most preferable development board for beginners in the field of embedded systems because of its simplicity.
For further details, click here and visit the “FAQ” tab.
3.Arduino Leonardo
The Arduino Leonardo is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega32u4. It has 20 digital input/output pins (of which 7 can be used as PWM outputs and 12 as analog inputs), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a micro USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with an AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started.
>>Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | ATmega32u4 |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| Input Voltage (Recommended) | 7-12V |
| Input Voltage (limits) | 6-20V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 20 |
| PWM Channels | 7 |
| Analog Input Channels | 12 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 40 mA |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin | 50 mA |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB (ATmega32u4) of which 4 KB used by bootloader |
| SRAM | 2.5 KB (ATmega32u4) |
| EEPROM | 1 KB (ATmega32u4) |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz |
| Lengh | 68.6 mm |
| Width | 53.3 mm |
| Weight | 20 g |
>>Special feature
The Leonardo differs from all preceding boards in that the ATmega32u4 has built-in USB communication, eliminates the need for a secondary processor. It allows Leonardo to get connected to the computer as a mouse and keyboard, in addition to a virtual (CDC) serial / COM port. It also has other implications for the behavior of the board; these are detailed on the getting started page. Leonardo is much advance in terms of features in all the earlier boards by Arduino. The ATmega32u4 has a built-in USB communication, which eliminates the need for a secondary processor which Leonardo appears to a connected computer as mouse and keyboard and adds a virtual (CDC) COM or serial port.
For further details, click here and then visit the “FAQ” tab.
4.Arduino Micro
The Micro is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega32U4, developed in conjunction with Adafruit. It has 20 digital input/output pins (of which 7 can be used as PWM outputs and 12 as analog inputs), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a micro USB connection, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a micro USB cable to get started. It has a form factor that enables it to be easily placed on a breadboard.
The Micro board is similar to the Ard. Leonardo in that the ATmega32U4 has built-in USB communication, eliminating the need for a secondary processor. This allows the Micro to appear to a connected computer as a mouse and keyboard, in addition to a virtual (CDC) serial / COM port.
>>Technical Specifications
| Microcontroller | ATmega32U4 |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| Input Voltage (recommended) | 7-9V |
| Input Voltage (limit) | 6-9V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 20 |
| PWM Channels | 7 |
| Analog Input Channels | 12 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 20 mA |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin | 50 mA |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB (ATmega32U4) of which 4 KB used by bootloader |
| SRAM | 2.5 KB (ATmega32U4) |
| EEPROM | 1 KB (ATmega32U4) |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz |
| LED_BUILTIN | 13 |
| Length | 48 mm |
| Width | 18 mm |
| Weight | 13 g |
>>Special feature
The Micro is a really simple and cute size. The size is small and can be developed anywhere using a micro USB cable.
For further details, click here and visit “FAQ” tab.
5.Arduino Mega
The Arduino Mega 2560 is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega2560. It has 54 digital input/output pins (of which 15 can be used as PWM outputs), 16 analog inputs, 4 UARTs (hardware serial ports), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started. The Mega 2560 board is compatible with most shields designed for the Uno and the former boards Duemilanove or Diecimila.
The Mega 2560 is an update to Mega, which it replaces.
>>Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | ATmega2560 |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| Input Voltage (recommended) | 7-12V |
| Input Voltage (limit) | 6-20V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 54 (of which 15 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins | 16 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 20 mA |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin | 50 mA |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB of which 8 KB used by bootloader |
| SRAM | 8 KB |
| EEPROM | 4 KB |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz |
| LED_BUILTIN | 13 |
| Length | 101.52 mm |
| Width | 53.3 mm |
| Weight | 37 g |
>>Special feature
Since Arduino is larger in size, lots of I/O for projects are available. Also it has large Flash Memory. So if your code simply won’t fit in the Uno, you’ve got much more room here. Also many shields made for the smaller boards will still work on it. The I/O pins are grouped by function.
For further details, click here and visit the “FAQ” tab.
6.Arduino Nano
The Arduino Nano is a small, complete, and breadboard-friendly board based on the ATmega328. It has more or less the same functionality of the Ard. Duemilanove board but in a different package. It lacks only a DC power jack and works with a Mini-B USB cable instead of a standard one.
>>Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | ATmega328 |
| Architecture | AVR |
| Operating Voltage | 5 V |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB of which 2 KB used by bootloader |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz |
| Analog IN Pins | 8 |
| EEPROM | 1 KB |
| DC Current per I/O Pins | 40 mA (I/O Pins) |
| Input Voltage | 7-12 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 22 (6 of which are PWM) |
| PWM Output | 6 |
| Power Consumption | 19 mA |
| PCB Size | 18 x 45 mm |
| Weight | 7 g |
>>Special feature
The Nano, unlike the UNO, cannot connect to Arduino shields but it has pin headers that make it useful for breadboard prototyping or in PCBs with the use of a socket. Often, Nano boards are the cheapest Arduino board option available making them cost-effective for larger projects.
For further details, click here and visit “FAQ” tab.
7.Arduino LilyPad
The LilyPad Arduino Main Board is based on the ATmega168V (the low-power version of the ATmega168) or the ATmega328V. The LilyPad Arduino was designed and developed by Leah Buechley and SparkFun Electronics.
>>Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | ATmega168 or ATmega328V |
| Operating Voltage | 2.7-5.5 V |
| Input Voltage | 2.7-5.5 V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 14 |
| PWM Channels | 6 |
| Analog Input Channels | 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 |
>>Special feature
A set of sewable electronic modules–including LilyPad Arduino–can be stitched together with conductive thread to create interactive garments and accessories. The LilyPad can sense information about the environment using sensors inputs like light and temperature sensors and can act on the environment with outputs like LED lights, vibrator motors, and speakers. It’s durable and waterproof and in fact, most components are designed to be be hand washed.
For further detail, click here.
8.Arduino Ethernet
The Arduino Ethernet is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328. It has 14 digital input/output pins, 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a RJ45 connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button.(NB: Pins 10, 11, 12 and 13 are reserved for interfacing with the Ethernet module and should not be used otherwise. This reduces the number of available pins to 9, with 4 available as PWM outputs.)
An optional Power over Ethernet module can be added to the board as well.
>>Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | ATmega328P |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| Input Voltage Plug (recommended) | 7-12V |
| Input Voltage Plug (limits) | 6-20V |
| Input Voltage PoE (limits) | 36-57V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 14 (of which 4 provide PWM output) |
| Arduino Pins reserved: | |
| 10 to 13 used for SPI | |
| 4 used for SD card | |
| 2 W5100 interrupt (when bridged) | |
| Analog Input Pins | 6 |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 40 mA |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin | 50 mA |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB (ATmega328P) of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader |
| SRAM | 2 KB (ATmega328P) |
| EEPROM | 1 KB (ATmega328P) |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz |
| W5100 TCP/IP Embedded Ethernet Controller | |
| Power Over Ethernet ready Magnetic Jack | |
| Micro SD card, with active voltage translators | |
| Length | 68.6 mm |
| Width | 53.3 mm |
| Weight | 28 g |
>>Special feature
The Ethernet differs from other boards in that it does not have an onboard USB-to-serial driver chip, but has a Wiznet Ethernet interface. This is the same interface found on the Ethernet shield.
An onboard microSD card reader, which can be used to store files for serving over the network, is accessible through the SD Library. Pin 10 is reserved for the Wiznet interface, SS for the SD card is on Pin 4.
The 6-pin serial programming header is compatible with the USB Serial adapter and also with the FTDI USB cables or with Sparkfun and Adafruit FTDI-style basic USB-to-serial breakout boards. It features support for automatic reset, allowing sketches to be uploaded without pressing the reset button on the board. When plugged into a USB to Serial adapter, the Ard. Ethernet is powered from the adapter.
For further details, click here and visit “Documentation” tab.
9.Arduino YÚN
The Arduino YÚN is the perfect board to use when designing connected devices and, more in general, Internet of Things projects. It combines the power of Linux with the ease of use of Arduino.
Its is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega32u4 and the Atheros AR9331. The Atheros processor supports a Linux distribution based on OpenWrt named Linino OS. The board has built-in Ethernet and WiFi support, a USB-A port, micro-SD card slot, 20 digital input/output pins (7 of them can be used as PWM outputs and 12 as analog inputs), a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a micro USB connection, an ICSP header, and 3 reset buttons.
>>Technical specifications
| Processor | Atheros AR9331 |
| Architecture | MIPS |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Ethernet | 802.3 10/100Mbit/s |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz |
| USB Type | 2.0 Host |
| Card Reader | Micro-SD |
| RAM | 64 MB DDR2 |
| Flash Memory | 16 MB |
| SRAM | 2.5 KB |
| EEPROM | 1 KB |
| Clock Speed | 400 MHz |
>>Special feature
The Yún distinguishes itself from other Arduino boards by its ability to communicate with the Linux distribution onboard, offering a powerful networked computer with the ease of an Arduino. In addition to Linux commands like the cURL, you can write your own shell and python scripts for robust interactions. The Yún is similar to the Leonardo with the ATmega32u4, except that it has Linux on board. (has built-in USB communication, eliminating the need for a secondary processor).
NB: Yun Release 5 The new Arduino Yun R5 differs substantially from the previous release in these features:
- The power supply system provides 5V on AREF;
- The layout has been modified, adding two holes for USB signals and two holes for GP6 and GPIO13(LED2).
For further details, click here and visit the “Documentation” tab.
10.Arduino Due
The Due is the first Arduino board based on a 32-bit ARM core microcontroller. With 54 digital input/output pins, 12 analog inputs, 2 DAC and 2 CAN it is the perfect board for powerful larger scale Arduino projects.
The Arduino Due is a microcontroller board based on the Atmel SAM3X8E ARM Cortex-M3 CPU. It is the first Arduino board based on a 32-bit ARM core microcontroller. It has 54 digital input/output pins (of which 12 can be used as PWM outputs), 12 analog inputs, 4 UARTs (hardware serial ports), a 84 MHz clock, an USB OTG capable connection, 2 DAC (digital to analog), 2 TWI, a power jack, an SPI header, a JTAG header, a reset button and an erase button.
>>Technical specifications
| Microcontroller | AT91SAM3X8E |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Input Voltage (recommended) | 7-12V |
| Input Voltage (limits) | 6-16V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 54 (of which 12 provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins | 12 |
| Analog Output Pins | 2 (DAC) |
| Total DC Output Current on all I/O lines | 130 mA |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin | 800 mA |
| DC Current for 5V Pin | 800 mA |
| Flash Memory | 512 KB all available for the user applications |
| SRAM | 96 KB (two banks: 64KB and 32KB) |
| Clock Speed | 84 MHz |
| Length | 101.52 mm |
| Width | 53.3 mm |
| Weight | 36 g |
>>Special feature
The Due follows the 1.0 pinout:
- TWI: SDA and SCL pins that are near to the AREF pin.
- IOREF: allows an attached shield with the proper configuration to adapt to the voltage provided by the board. This enables shield compatibility with a 3.3V board like the Due and AVR-based boards which operate at 5V.
- An unconnected pin, reserved for future use.
For further details, click here and visit “Documentation” tab.
3. Comparison
# Arduino Leonardo vs Uno
Leonardo is much advance in terms of features.The ATmega32u4 has a built in USB communication, which eliminates the need for secondary processor which leonardo appears to connected computer as mouse and keyboard and adds a virtual (cdc) COM or serial port.
# Arduino Uno vs Micro vs Mega
The Micro comes in, being true to its name, at 0.7” x 1.9” making it one of the smallest microcontroller boards out there. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Mega 2560 board dimensions are about 4” x 2.1”, making it about 6x bigger than the Micro in terms of area size. Arduino Uno dimensions of 2.7” x 2.1” fall somewhere in between the Micro and the Mega 2560. The pricing for Micro is usually around $19-25 (can be hard to find stock) while the Uno runs around $20-23, and the Mega 2560 comes in at $36 – $39.
# Arduino Nano vs Uno
The Nano, unlike the UNO, cannot connect to Arduino shields but it has pin headers that make it useful for breadboard prototyping or in PCBs with the use of a socket. Often, Nano boards are the cheapest Arduino board option available making them cost-effective for larger projects.
# Arduino LilyPad vs Uno
The Lilypad has fewer pins, and they may be configured differently than the Uno. Also LilyPad is specifically designed to be embroidery friendly.
# Arduino Yún vs Uno
The Arduino Yún has the same footprint as an Uno but combines an ATmega32U4 microcontroller (the same as the Leonardo) and a Linux system based on the Atheros AR9331 chipset. Additionally, there are built-in Ethernet and WiFi capabilities. The combination of the classic Arduino programming experience and advanced internet capabilities afforded by a Linux system makes the Yún a powerful tool for communicating with the internet of things.
The Yún’s layout keeps the I/O pins the same as Leonardo. As such, the Yún is compatible with the most shields designed for Arduino.
With the Yún’s auto-discovery system, your computer can recognize boards connected to the same network. This enables you to upload sketches wirelessly to the Yún. You can still upload sketches to the Yún through the micro-USB connector just as you would with the Leonardo.
# Arduino Due vs Uno
The Arduino Due is much more powerful :
- 8-bit AVR vs 32-bit ARM
- CPU : 16 MHz vs 84 MHz
- SRAM : 2 kb vs 96 kb
- Digital Pins (input/output) : 14/6 vs 54/12
- Analog read : 10 bits resolution vs 12 bits resolution
Although you need to be careful :Uno is working under 5V, while Due is under 3.3V.
# Overall technical spec comparison
Also read:
- Download and install the Arduino IDE.
- Arduino Uno – A basic introduction.
- Arduino code explanation.
- How to use Blynk with Arduino?
- MIT app inventor with Arduino.
