How to Use Adafruit MONSTER M4SK: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit MONSTER M4SK is an innovative electronic board designed for creating digital eyewear and interactive projects. It features two TFT displays that can simulate eyes or display other graphics, and a camera module for image capture and video playback. This board is perfect for costume design, interactive art, and educational purposes where visual feedback is essential.

• Digital costumes and cosplay
• Interactive art installations
• Educational tools for teaching electronics and programming
• Robotics with visual feedback systems
• DIY projects requiring user interfaces with visual output

• Processor: ATSAMD51J19 @ 120MHz with 3.3V logic/power
• Memory: 8 MB of QSPI Flash, 512 KB of RAM
• Display: Two 240x240 1.54" TFT displays with lens
• Camera: 0.3MP OV7670 camera module
• Interfaces: I2C, UART, 8x Digital I/O pins, Analog inputs
• Power Ratings: 3.7V LiPoly battery or USB power

1. Powering the M4SK: Connect a 3.7V LiPoly battery to the VBAT pin or power the board via the USB port.
2. Programming the M4SK: Use the USB connection to program the board with the Arduino IDE or CircuitPython.
3. Connecting the Displays: The TFT displays are pre-connected; no additional wiring is necessary.
4. Using the Camera: Connect the camera module to the board using the included connector.

• Always disconnect the battery before making changes to the circuit.
• Ensure that the power supply is sufficient and stable to prevent damage.
• Use ESD precautions when handling the board to avoid static damage to the electronics.
• Keep the firmware updated to the latest version for optimal performance.

• Display not working: Check the connections and ensure that the board is properly powered.
• Camera not functioning: Verify that the camera module is correctly connected and that the software is configured to use the camera.
• Unresponsive board: Reset the board and check the USB cable and power supply.

• If the displays are not working, try uploading a simple test sketch to check functionality.
• For camera issues, ensure that the camera is enabled in your code and that the correct pins are being used.
• If the board is unresponsive, attempt to reflash the bootloader using a double-tap on the reset button.

Q: Can I power the M4SK with a different voltage? A: The M4SK is designed to be powered by a 3.7V LiPoly battery or USB power. Using other voltages may damage the board.

Q: How do I update the firmware? A: Firmware updates can be done through the USB connection using the Arduino IDE or CircuitPython.

Q: What programming languages can I use with the M4SK? A: The M4SK supports programming with Arduino (C/C++) and CircuitPython.

Q: Can I connect additional sensors to the M4SK? A: Yes, the board includes I2C, UART, digital I/O, and analog inputs for connecting various sensors and peripherals.

Below is an example code snippet for initializing the TFT displays on the Adafruit MONSTER M4SK using an Arduino UNO. This code assumes the use of the Adafruit GFX library for display control.

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>    // Core graphics library
#include <Adafruit_ST7789.h>  // Hardware-specific library for ST7789

// Pin definitions for the Arduino UNO
#define TFT_CS         10
#define TFT_RST        9
#define TFT_DC         8

// Initialize the ST7789 TFT displays
Adafruit_ST7789 tft = Adafruit_ST7789(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  tft.init(240, 240);           // Initialize display with its resolution
  tft.fillScreen(ST77XX_BLACK); // Clear the display
}

void loop() {
  // Your code to update the display goes here
}

Remember to install the Adafruit GFX and Adafruit ST7789 libraries before uploading this code to your Arduino UNO. This example is for demonstration purposes; additional setup may be required for full functionality with the M4SK.

Note: The Adafruit MONSTER M4SK is not directly compatible with the Arduino UNO without modification, as it is designed to be used as a standalone board. The example provided is a general guide for initializing TFT displays similar to those on the M4SK using an Arduino UNO.