Cirkit Designer Logo
Cirkit Designer
Your all-in-one circuit design IDE
Home / 
Component Documentation

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

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

Introduction

The Arduino Nano is a small, compact microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P. It is designed for easy integration into projects and prototyping, offering a versatile platform for both beginners and experienced developers. The Nano features digital and analog input/output pins, USB connectivity for programming, and is fully compatible with the Arduino IDE. Its compact size makes it ideal for projects where space is limited, such as wearable devices, robotics, and IoT applications.

Explore Projects Built with Arduino Nano

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 Nano and OLED Display for Real-Time Data Visualization
Image of OLED Display: A project utilizing Arduino Nano in a practical application
This circuit consists of an Arduino Nano microcontroller connected to a 0.96" OLED display. The Arduino Nano provides power to the OLED display and communicates with it using the I2C protocol via the A4 (SDA) and A5 (SCK) pins.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino Nano-Based Portable GSM-GPS Navigator with Compass and Stepper Motor Control
Image of Compass: A project utilizing Arduino Nano in a practical application
This circuit features an Arduino Nano microcontroller coordinating communication, navigation, and motion control functions. It includes modules for GSM, GPS, and digital compass capabilities, as well as a stepper motor for precise movement, all powered by a LiPo battery with voltage regulation.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino Nano Basic Setup for Embedded Projects
Image of yt: A project utilizing Arduino Nano in a practical application
This circuit consists of an Arduino Nano microcontroller with no external components connected. The provided code is a basic template with empty setup and loop functions, indicating that the circuit is likely intended for initial testing or development purposes.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Arduino-Based Bluetooth-Controlled Servo System with Flex Sensors and MPU-6050
Image of Copy of Robot + Glove: A project utilizing Arduino Nano in a practical application
This circuit consists of an Arduino UNO and an Arduino Nano, which communicate via Bluetooth modules. The Arduino Nano reads data from two flex sensors and an MPU-6050 accelerometer, sending the data to the Arduino UNO. The Arduino UNO controls three micro servos through a PCA9685 PWM driver, moving them back and forth.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Explore Projects Built with Arduino Nano

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 OLED Display: A project utilizing Arduino Nano in a practical application
Arduino Nano and OLED Display for Real-Time Data Visualization
This circuit consists of an Arduino Nano microcontroller connected to a 0.96" OLED display. The Arduino Nano provides power to the OLED display and communicates with it using the I2C protocol via the A4 (SDA) and A5 (SCK) pins.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Compass: A project utilizing Arduino Nano in a practical application
Arduino Nano-Based Portable GSM-GPS Navigator with Compass and Stepper Motor Control
This circuit features an Arduino Nano microcontroller coordinating communication, navigation, and motion control functions. It includes modules for GSM, GPS, and digital compass capabilities, as well as a stepper motor for precise movement, all powered by a LiPo battery with voltage regulation.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of yt: A project utilizing Arduino Nano in a practical application
Arduino Nano Basic Setup for Embedded Projects
This circuit consists of an Arduino Nano microcontroller with no external components connected. The provided code is a basic template with empty setup and loop functions, indicating that the circuit is likely intended for initial testing or development purposes.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer
Image of Copy of Robot + Glove: A project utilizing Arduino Nano in a practical application
Arduino-Based Bluetooth-Controlled Servo System with Flex Sensors and MPU-6050
This circuit consists of an Arduino UNO and an Arduino Nano, which communicate via Bluetooth modules. The Arduino Nano reads data from two flex sensors and an MPU-6050 accelerometer, sending the data to the Arduino UNO. The Arduino UNO controls three micro servos through a PCA9685 PWM driver, moving them back and forth.
Cirkit Designer LogoOpen Project in Cirkit Designer

Common Applications and Use Cases

  • Prototyping and development of embedded systems
  • Robotics and automation projects
  • IoT (Internet of Things) devices
  • Wearable electronics
  • Sensor data acquisition and processing
  • Educational projects and learning microcontroller programming

Technical Specifications

The Arduino Nano is equipped with the ATmega328P microcontroller and offers the following key specifications:

Specification Details
Microcontroller ATmega328P
Operating Voltage 5V
Input Voltage (VIN) 7-12V
Digital I/O Pins 14 (6 PWM outputs)
Analog Input Pins 8
DC Current per I/O Pin 40 mA
Flash Memory 32 KB (2 KB used by bootloader)
SRAM 2 KB
EEPROM 1 KB
Clock Speed 16 MHz
USB Connectivity Mini-USB
Dimensions 18 x 45 mm

Pin Configuration and Descriptions

The Arduino Nano has a total of 30 pins, including power, digital, and analog pins. Below is a detailed description of the pin configuration:

Power Pins

Pin Name Description
1 VIN Input voltage to the board when using an external power source (7-12V).
2 GND Ground pin.
3 5V Regulated 5V output from the onboard voltage regulator.
4 3.3V Regulated 3.3V output (limited to 50 mA).
5 AREF Reference voltage for analog inputs.
6 RESET Resets the microcontroller when pulled LOW.

Digital Pins

Pin Name Description
D0-D13 Digital I/O General-purpose digital input/output pins. Pins D3, D5, D6, D9, D10, and D11 support PWM.

Analog Pins

Pin Name Description
A0-A7 Analog In Analog input pins for reading sensor data (0-5V).

Communication Pins

Pin Name Description
D0, D1 RX, TX Serial communication pins for UART (receive and transmit).
D10-D13 SPI SPI communication pins (SS, MOSI, MISO, SCK).
A4, A5 I2C I2C communication pins (SDA, SCL).

Usage Instructions

How to Use the Arduino Nano in a Circuit

  1. Powering the Board:

    • Connect the Nano to your computer via a Mini-USB cable for programming and power.
    • Alternatively, supply power through the VIN pin (7-12V) or the 5V pin (regulated 5V).
  2. Programming the Nano:

    • Install the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website.
    • Select "Arduino Nano" as the board type in the IDE.
    • Choose the correct processor (ATmega328P or ATmega328P (Old Bootloader)) based on your board version.
    • Write your code in the IDE and upload it to the Nano via the USB connection.
  3. Connecting Components:

    • Use the digital pins (D0-D13) for digital input/output operations.
    • Use the analog pins (A0-A7) for reading analog sensor data.
    • Connect communication peripherals (e.g., I2C, SPI, UART) to the appropriate pins.

Example: Blinking an LED

The following example demonstrates how to blink an LED connected to pin D13:

// This program blinks an LED connected to pin D13 on the Arduino Nano.
// The LED will turn on for 1 second and off for 1 second in a loop.

void setup() {
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT); // Set pin D13 as an output pin
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH); // Turn the LED on
  delay(1000);            // Wait for 1 second
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);  // Turn the LED off
  delay(1000);            // Wait for 1 second
}

Important Considerations and Best Practices

  • Avoid exceeding the maximum current rating (40 mA) for any I/O pin.
  • Use external pull-up or pull-down resistors for stable digital input signals.
  • Ensure proper grounding when connecting external components to avoid noise or instability.
  • Use a decoupling capacitor (e.g., 0.1 µF) near the power pins for noise filtering.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Common Issues and Solutions

  1. Problem: The Arduino Nano is not recognized by the computer.

    • Solution: Ensure the correct USB driver is installed. For older boards, install the CH340 driver.
  2. Problem: The code does not upload to the Nano.

    • Solution: Check the selected board and processor in the Arduino IDE. Use "ATmega328P (Old Bootloader)" if necessary.
  3. Problem: The Nano resets unexpectedly during operation.

    • Solution: Verify the power supply voltage and current. Ensure the board is not drawing more current than the source can provide.
  4. Problem: Analog readings are unstable or noisy.

    • Solution: Use a stable reference voltage (e.g., AREF) and add decoupling capacitors to the analog input pins.

FAQs

  • Q: Can the Arduino Nano run on 3.3V?

    • A: Yes, but ensure all connected components are compatible with 3.3V logic levels.
  • Q: How do I reset the Nano manually?

    • A: Press the onboard reset button or pull the RESET pin LOW momentarily.
  • Q: Can I use the Nano for battery-powered projects?

    • A: Yes, you can power the Nano using a battery through the VIN or 5V pin. Use a voltage regulator if needed.

This concludes the documentation for the Arduino Nano. For more information, visit the official Arduino website.