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How to Use Arduino 101: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

Image of Arduino 101
Cirkit Designer LogoDesign with Arduino 101 in Cirkit Designer

Introduction

The Arduino 101 is a versatile development board that integrates the Intel Curie module, designed to bring the power of an Intel microcontroller to the Arduino platform. With its built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and 6-axis accelerometer/gyroscope, the Arduino 101 is particularly well-suited for Internet of Things (IoT) and wearable technology projects. Its form factor and pin layout are compatible with standard Arduino shields, making it easy to incorporate into existing designs.

Explore Projects Built with Arduino 101

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Arduino 101 OLED Display Animation Project
Image of wokwi animater test: A project utilizing Arduino 101 in a practical application
This circuit consists of an Arduino 101 microcontroller connected to a 0.96" OLED display via I2C communication. The Arduino runs a program that initializes the OLED and continuously displays an animated sequence of frames on the screen.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino 101 Based Touch-Controlled LED Matrix with DHT22 Sensor Integration
Image of PROJECT TOUCH SENSOR: A project utilizing Arduino 101 in a practical application
This circuit features an Arduino 101 microcontroller connected to a touch sensor, an 8x8 LED matrix, and a DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor. The Arduino provides power to all components and interfaces with the touch sensor via a digital I/O pin and the DHT22 sensor via another digital I/O pin. It controls the 8x8 LED matrix using SPI communication, with dedicated pins for data, clock, and chip select.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino 101-Based Interactive Voice-Controlled System with Load Sensing and LCD Feedback
Image of Nutri-Scale Circuit diagram: A project utilizing Arduino 101 in a practical application
This circuit features an Arduino 101 microcontroller as the central processing unit, interfaced with a variety of peripherals. It includes an LCM1602 IIC LCD for display, a membrane matrix keypad for user input, a SparkFun Load Cell Amplifier (HX711) for weight measurement, and a voice recognition module for audio-based commands. The circuit is powered by a 9V battery connected through a 2.1mm barrel jack, with power distribution to the Arduino and other components.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino 101 and ESP32 CAM Motion-Activated Servo Control System
Image of FINAL YEAR: A project utilizing Arduino 101 in a practical application
This circuit features an Arduino 101 microcontroller interfaced with various components for sensing and actuation. A touch sensor and a PIR motion sensor provide input signals, which the Arduino can use to drive a micro servo, a passive buzzer, and communicate with an ESP32 CAM module for potential image capture or video streaming. The circuit also includes a red LED with a current-limiting resistor, and all components share a common power supply from the Arduino's 5V output.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with Arduino 101

Use Cirkit Designer to design, explore, and prototype these projects online. Some projects support real-time simulation. Click "Open Project" to start designing instantly!
Image of wokwi animater test: A project utilizing Arduino 101 in a practical application
Arduino 101 OLED Display Animation Project
This circuit consists of an Arduino 101 microcontroller connected to a 0.96" OLED display via I2C communication. The Arduino runs a program that initializes the OLED and continuously displays an animated sequence of frames on the screen.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of PROJECT TOUCH SENSOR: A project utilizing Arduino 101 in a practical application
Arduino 101 Based Touch-Controlled LED Matrix with DHT22 Sensor Integration
This circuit features an Arduino 101 microcontroller connected to a touch sensor, an 8x8 LED matrix, and a DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor. The Arduino provides power to all components and interfaces with the touch sensor via a digital I/O pin and the DHT22 sensor via another digital I/O pin. It controls the 8x8 LED matrix using SPI communication, with dedicated pins for data, clock, and chip select.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Nutri-Scale Circuit diagram: A project utilizing Arduino 101 in a practical application
Arduino 101-Based Interactive Voice-Controlled System with Load Sensing and LCD Feedback
This circuit features an Arduino 101 microcontroller as the central processing unit, interfaced with a variety of peripherals. It includes an LCM1602 IIC LCD for display, a membrane matrix keypad for user input, a SparkFun Load Cell Amplifier (HX711) for weight measurement, and a voice recognition module for audio-based commands. The circuit is powered by a 9V battery connected through a 2.1mm barrel jack, with power distribution to the Arduino and other components.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of FINAL YEAR: A project utilizing Arduino 101 in a practical application
Arduino 101 and ESP32 CAM Motion-Activated Servo Control System
This circuit features an Arduino 101 microcontroller interfaced with various components for sensing and actuation. A touch sensor and a PIR motion sensor provide input signals, which the Arduino can use to drive a micro servo, a passive buzzer, and communicate with an ESP32 CAM module for potential image capture or video streaming. The circuit also includes a red LED with a current-limiting resistor, and all components share a common power supply from the Arduino's 5V output.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

  • Wearable devices
  • IoT applications
  • Educational projects
  • Prototyping for embedded systems
  • Motion tracking and detection

Technical Specifications

Key Technical Details

  • Microcontroller: Intel Curie
  • Operating Voltage: 3.3V
  • Input Voltage (recommended): 7-12V
  • Input Voltage (limit): 6-20V
  • Digital I/O Pins: 14 (of which 4 provide PWM output)
  • Analog Input Pins: 6
  • DC Current per I/O Pin: 20 mA
  • Flash Memory: 196 kB (including 8 kB used by bootloader)
  • SRAM: 24 kB
  • Clock Speed: 32 MHz
  • Bluetooth LE: Built-in
  • Sensors: 6-axis accelerometer/gyroscope

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

Pin Number Function Description
0 RX Serial Receive
1 TX Serial Transmit
2-13 Digital I/O Digital Input/Output, PWM on 3, 5, 6, and 9
A0-A5 Analog Input Analog Input Channels
AREF Analog Ref Reference voltage for the analog inputs
GND Ground Ground pin
RST Reset Resets the microcontroller
3.3V 3.3V Supply 3.3V power output (50 mA max)
5V 5V Supply Regulated 5V power output (derived from VIN)
VIN Voltage Input Unregulated input voltage to the board

Usage Instructions

How to Use the Arduino 101 in a Circuit

  1. Powering the Board:

    • Connect a 7-12V power supply to the VIN and GND pins, or plug in the USB cable to provide power.
  2. Connecting I/O Devices:

    • Use the digital and analog pins to connect sensors, actuators, and other components. Ensure that the connected devices are compatible with the board's operating voltage of 3.3V.
  3. Programming the Board:

    • Connect the Arduino 101 to a computer using a USB cable.
    • Use the Arduino IDE to write and upload sketches to the board.

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Always disconnect the board from power sources before making or altering connections.
  • Do not exceed the recommended voltage and current ratings to avoid damaging the board.
  • Use a current limiting resistor when connecting LEDs to the digital I/O pins.
  • Ensure that the BLE functionality does not interfere with other wireless communications in your project.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues

  • Board not recognized by the computer:

    • Check the USB cable and connections.
    • Ensure that the correct drivers are installed.
    • Try resetting the board using the RST pin.
  • Sketch not uploading:

    • Verify that the correct board and port are selected in the Arduino IDE.
    • Check for errors in the code that may prevent compilation.
    • Ensure that no other program is using the serial port.

Solutions and Tips for Troubleshooting

  • If the board is unresponsive, press the reset button to reboot the microcontroller.
  • Check the power supply for proper voltage and current capabilities.
  • Consult the Arduino 101 forums and community for help with specific issues.

Example Code for Arduino UNO

// Blink LED example for Arduino 101
void setup() {
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT); // Initialize digital pin 13 as an output.
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH); // Turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);            // Wait for a second
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);  // Turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);            // Wait for a second
}

Note: The above code is a simple blink example that is compatible with the Arduino 101, as it shares the same pin layout for the built-in LED with the Arduino UNO.

Remember to wrap code comments as needed to limit line length to 80 characters, ensuring readability and maintainability of the code.