Arduino Pro Mini Overview

Introduction

The Arduino Pro Mini is a compact and low-power microcontroller board based on the ATmega328, designed for projects where space and power efficiency are essential. Its small form factor and minimalistic design make it ideal for wearable devices, portable applications, and embedded projects that require reliable performance without the bulk of larger development boards.

Technical Specifications

• Microcontroller: ATmega328
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V or 5V (depending on model)
• Input Voltage (recommended): 5-12V
• Digital I/O Pins: 14 (6 with PWM output)
• Analog Input Pins: 8
• DC Current per I/O Pin: 40 mA
• Flash Memory: 32 KB (of which 2 KB is used by the bootloader)
• SRAM: 2 KB
• EEPROM: 1 KB
• Clock Speed: 16 MHz (5V model) or 8 MHz (3.3V model)
• Programming Interface: FTDI or external USB-to-serial adapter required

Pinout Diagram

The Arduino Pro Mini provides a range of digital and analog pins, as well as power and control pins:

• Digital Pins (D0-D13): Configurable as input or output pins, with PWM capability on six pins.
• Analog Pins (A0-A7): Analog input pins to read data from sensors.
• Power Pins: 5V or 3.3V (depending on model), GND, RAW (unregulated input voltage).
• Serial Communication: TX and RX pins for serial communication.
• Reset Pin: Allows manual resetting of the board.

Programming the Arduino Pro Mini

The Arduino Pro Mini can be programmed using the Arduino IDE. Since it lacks a built-in USB interface, you’ll need an FTDI adapter or similar USB-to-serial interface to upload code. Connect the adapter to the Pro Mini’s TX, RX, VCC, and GND pins, open the Arduino IDE, write your code, and press the upload button.

The Pro Mini supports all standard Arduino commands and libraries, making it compatible with a wide range of sensors and modules.

Common Applications

The Arduino Pro Mini’s compact design and low power consumption make it suitable for various embedded and portable applications:

• Wearable Technology: Ideal for integrating into wearable electronics due to its small size.
• Battery-Powered Projects: Low power draw makes it suitable for battery-operated devices.
• Embedded Systems: Perfect for embedding in projects with space and power constraints.
• Wireless Sensor Networks: Used in sensor nodes for IoT applications.
• Custom Gadgets: Build small, custom electronic tools and prototypes.

Conclusion

The Arduino Pro Mini is a compact, versatile board well-suited for projects that require low power consumption and a small footprint. It offers the same functionality as the Arduino Uno but with added flexibility for embedded and space-constrained projects. Whether you're building wearable tech, custom sensors, or battery-powered devices, the Pro Mini is a reliable choice.

For more tutorials and projects related to the Arduino Pro Mini and other microcontroller platforms, visit Microautomation.no.