{"id":5842,"date":"2019-04-13T11:50:54","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T15:50:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dronebotworkshop.com\/?p=5842"},"modified":"2023-04-12T11:39:58","modified_gmt":"2023-04-12T15:39:58","slug":"arduino-pro-mini","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dronebotworkshop.com\/arduino-pro-mini\/","title":{"rendered":"Programming the Arduino Pro Mini"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Download \"Parts<\/a> \"View<\/a> \"Download<\/a><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/span><\/h2>\n

Today we will take a look at the Arduino Pro Mini, a small yet powerful member of the Arduino family.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Although the Pro Mini is a small device it is quite powerful, as it uses the same processor chip as the Arduino Uno. In fact in some ways it is even more versatile, and it’s small form factor and low cost makes it ideal for use in permanent projects.<\/span><\/p>\n

However programming the Pro Mini is done a bit differently than an Uno, mainly because the Pro Mini has no USB port.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, there is a way around this, so follow along and see how the Pro Mini can be useful for your next Arduino design. And, as a bonus, we will build a battery-powered controller for a small robot arm.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Arduino Pro Mini<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Arduino Pro Mini was originally developed by <\/span>SparkFun<\/span><\/a>. Although no longer available from the <\/span>official Arduino store<\/span><\/a> it is an open-source design and is now manufactured by several different companies. You will have no problem finding one at a very low price.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Using<\/p>\n

As its name would imply the Pro Mini is a very tiny device, it\u2019s not much bigger than the DIP version of the ATMega328 chip. The Pro Mini uses a surface-mount ATMega328, giving it the full power of the Arduino Uno in a much smaller package.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, in many ways, the Pro Mini is even more versatile than the Uno.<\/span><\/p>\n

Arduino Pro Mini Pinout<\/span><\/h3>\n

One way in which it is more capable than the Uno is that most Pro Mini designs have two additional analog input ports, which can also double as extra digital I\/O pins. \u00a0This is due to the surface-mount version of the processor having more leads than the DIP version that the Uno is based upon.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Arduino<\/p>\n

Another way that the Pro Mini outshines its bigger brother is that it is available in both a 5-volt and 3.3-volt model. \u00a0This opens up the possibility of creating battery powered projects, or directly interfacing with 3.3-volt logic devices.<\/span><\/p>\n

The 3.3-volt Pro Mini runs at a slower clock speed, 8 MHz. For most applications, this will not be an issue.<\/span><\/p>\n

But for all its extra versatility the Pro Mini has one feature lacking – it has no USB port.<\/span><\/p>\n

While this may seem like a major drawback it isn\u2019t really, in many Arduino projects the USB port is only used for programming and debugging. \u00a0Once that is done with the USB port just sits there, taking up both space and consuming some current.<\/span><\/p>\n

To program and debug a Pro Mini you will use an external device, called an FTDI Adapter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using the FTDI Adapter<\/span><\/h2>\n

FTDI is an abbreviation for semiconductor manufacturer <\/span>Future Technology Devices International<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0In addition to interface chips, the company also manufactures a wide range of video adapter and other integrated circuits.<\/span><\/p>\n

The adapters we are interested in are produced by several manufacturers and are used to interface USB or serial ports to microcontrollers. \u00a0They are easily obtained on eBay or Amazon, as well as most well-stocked electronics stores.<\/span><\/p>\n

FTDI adapters come in several shapes and sizes, all of them will have a USB (usually Mini USB) port and a 6-pin connector to attach to the Pro Mini.<\/span><\/p>\n

FTDI Voltage Select<\/span><\/h3>\n

The FTDI adapter not only provides a USB port to allow you to communicate with the Pro Mini, it also supplies power. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"FTDI<\/p>\n

Because the Pro Mini is available in both 3.3-volt and 5-volt models it is critical that you give it the correct supply voltage. The FTDI adapter will have a method of selecting the correct supply voltage, this is usually in the form of a jumper, a switch or a trace on the circuit board that needs to be cut or jumpered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure you get the voltage setting correct, applying 5-volts to a 3.3-volt Pro Mini can damage or destroy it!<\/span><\/p>\n

Connecting the FTDI to the Pro Mini<\/span><\/h3>\n

Your FTDI adapter will have a connector, usually a 6-pin male header, to attach to the Pro Mini. In most cases you can just directly attach it, however one important thing to note is that this connector (and the connector on the hPro Mini) is not always mounted the same side up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Arduino<\/p>\n

In the above image, I show a couple of Arduino Pro Minis and two FTDI adapters. The connector on the blue Pro Mini (the 5-volt one) is reversed from the connector on the red Pro Mini (the 3.3-volt one).<\/span><\/p>\n

The two FTDI adapters also wired backward from each other!<\/span><\/p>\n

The connections on the FTDI adapter for the Pro Mini are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n