The Arduino Pro Mini is a compact microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P microcontroller. It is designed for users who are familiar with the Arduino environment and are looking for a smaller board for space-constrained projects. With its 14 digital input/output pins, 6 analog inputs, and a 16 MHz quartz crystal oscillator, the Pro Mini is a versatile board suitable for various applications, including robotics, wearables, and automation.
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This circuit features an Arduino Pro Mini microcontroller interfaced with a USB Serial TTL for programming and power, a momentary switch for user input, and a 9V battery for power supply. It includes a KY-008 laser emitter, a 0.96" OLED display, and an MLX90614 temperature sensor, all connected to the Arduino for a potential temperature measurement and display application.
This circuit features an Arduino Pro Mini connected to an OLED display via I2C communication (SDA and SCL lines). The Arduino is also interfaced with an MCP2515 CAN controller, indicating the circuit's capability to communicate over a CAN network. Additionally, there are several terminal PCBs connected to various analog and digital pins of the Arduino, likely for sensor inputs or output controls.
This circuit features two Arduino Pro Mini microcontrollers interfacing with various sensors and actuators. One Arduino reads data from an ADXL345 accelerometer and communicates with an RS232 module, while the other controls a 2-channel relay to manage two 12V LEDs, a 1-channel relay to control a red lamp, and a buzzer. Power is supplied by 9V and 12V batteries.
This circuit features an Arduino Pro Mini as the central microcontroller, interfaced with a DS18B20 temperature sensor, a GPS NEO 6M module for location tracking, an ADXL345 accelerometer for motion detection, and an NRF24L01 module for wireless communication. The Arduino is powered by a 18650 Li-Ion battery through a voltage regulator, ensuring a stable power supply. A pushbutton is connected to the Arduino for user input, and resistors are used for pull-ups and current limiting purposes.
Operating Voltage: 3.3V or 5V (depending on the model)
Input Voltage (recommended): 5V - 12V
Input Voltage (limits): 3.35V - 12V (3.3V model) or 5V - 12V (5V model)
Digital I/O Pins: 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
Analog Input Pins: 6
DC Current per I/O Pin: 40 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
Pin Configuration and Descriptions
Pin Number
Function
Description
1
RESET
Used to reset the microcontroller
2-3
PD0/RXD, PD1/TXD
Serial communication pins (RX and TX)
4-9
PD2-PD7
Digital pins, PWM available on PD3, PD5, PD6
10-13
PB0-PB3
Digital pins, PWM available on PB1, PB2
14
PB4
Digital pin
15-20
PC0-PC5
Analog input pins or digital pins (A0-A5)
21-22
A6-A7
Analog input pins (only on some Pro Mini versions)
23-26
VCC, GND, GND, RAW
Power pins
27-28
RST, GND
Reset and ground pins
Usage Instructions
Integrating with a Circuit
To use the Arduino Pro Mini in a circuit, follow these steps:
Powering the Board:
Connect a power source to the RAW (input voltage) and GND pins if using an unregulated power supply within the recommended voltage limits.
Alternatively, provide regulated 3.3V or 5V directly to the VCC pin.
Programming the Board:
The Pro Mini does not come with a USB port. To program it, you'll need an external USB-to-Serial adapter.
Connect the adapter's TX to the Pro Mini's RX, RX to TX, DTR to RST, VCC to VCC, and GND to GND.
Select the correct board and port in the Arduino IDE, and upload your sketch.
Connecting I/O:
Digital pins can be used as input or output pins. Configure them in your sketch using pinMode(), digitalWrite(), and digitalRead() functions.
Analog pins can read analog voltages using the analogRead() function.
Best Practices
Always disconnect the board from power sources before making or altering connections.
Use a current limiting resistor with LEDs and other sensitive components.
Avoid supplying voltage higher than the recommended limits to prevent damage.
Ensure that the total current drawn from the I/O pins does not exceed the maximum limit.
Example Code for Arduino UNO
Here's a simple example of blinking an LED connected to pin 13 of the Arduino Pro Mini:
// Pin 13 has an LED connected on most Arduino boards.
int ledPin = 13;
// The setup routine runs once when you press reset:
void setup() {
// Initialize the digital pin as an output.
pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);
}
// The loop routine runs over and over again forever:
void loop() {
digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH); // Turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
delay(1000); // Wait for a second
digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW); // Turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
delay(1000); // Wait for a second
}
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Common Issues
Board not recognized: Ensure that the USB-to-Serial adapter drivers are installed and that the adapter is properly connected to the Pro Mini.
Sketch not uploading: Check the connections between the USB-to-Serial adapter and the Pro Mini. Ensure that the correct board and port are selected in the Arduino IDE.
Unexpected behavior: Double-check your code for errors. Ensure that the power supply is stable and within the recommended voltage range.
FAQs
Q: Can I power the Arduino Pro Mini with a 9V battery?
A: Yes, you can connect a 9V battery to the RAW input if you're using the 5V version of the Pro Mini. For the 3.3V version, ensure the voltage does not exceed the input voltage limits.
Q: How do I connect a sensor to the Pro Mini?
A: Connect the sensor's VCC to the Pro Mini's VCC, GND to GND, and the signal pin to one of the Pro Mini's analog or digital I/O pins, depending on the sensor's output.
Q: What is the purpose of the A6 and A7 pins?
A: A6 and A7 are additional analog input pins available on some Pro Mini boards. They can only be used as analog inputs and do not have digital I/O capabilities.
For further assistance, consult the Arduino forums and the extensive community resources available online.
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