Summary of UCHIP: ARDUINO ZERO COMPATIBLE IN A NARROW DIP-16 PACKAGE!
This article introduces the UCHIP, a compact, narrow-DIP-16 Arduino Zero compatible development board. It solves common compromises found in smaller boards by integrating both buck and boost power supplies, enabling USB OTG functionality (Host/Device), and maintaining breadboard compatibility with 0.3-inch spacing. The board features a powerful Cortex M0+ microcontroller with ample memory and peripherals, offering flexible USB or external power options while providing a high-current programmable output.
Parts used in the UCHIP:
- Narrow-DIP-16 package
- Arduino Zero compatible microcontroller
- Integrated buck power supply
- Integrated boost power supply
- USB OTG controller
- Cortex M0+ processor
- Programmable 3.3V or 5V power output
A very small narrow-DIP-sized, Arduino Zero compatible USB dev board (OTG enabled), with integrated buck and boost power supplies!
The Arduino ecosystem provides an invaluable resource of hardware and software, which allows quick development of a myriad of projects thanks to its fruitful community.
Several Arduino-compatible boards came out in the past years, to increase the versatility or to reduce the size of the original Arduino boards. However, in our opinion this has not come without compromises.
- Some cheap boards, while being small enough, lack of a proper integrated power supply. In other words, the developer has to implement it externally, reducing the benefits of low cost and small size. In other cases, linear regulators are used, making them unsuitable for low power applications or when you need to provide a decent amount of current for the external circuitry.
- Other boards use microcontrollers with limited memory, pin count or peripheral set, which make them unsuitable for more complex applications.
- And finally, some boards are not breadboard compatible, and, to date no Cortex M0+ board features 0.3” spacing between rows, wasting precious breadboard space.
We wanted a device that solved all these problems without compromises.
Then we came up with our idea! We wanted a dev board:
- USB based, capable of being programmed without requiring expensive external programmers, just like Arduino and many other dev boards.
- With a powerful microcontroller with plenty of RAM and FLASH.
- With a rich set of peripheral.
- Capable of acting both as an USB host and Device.
- With integrated buck and boost power supplies.
- USB- or externally-powered.
- Capable of providing an external programmable (3.3V or 5V) high-current power supply, when powered by USB.
- Breadboard compatible, with a narrow DIP footprint (0.3” spacing).
- And, of course, low cost.
Read more: UCHIP: ARDUINO ZERO COMPATIBLE IN A NARROW DIP-16 PACKAGE!
- Does the UCHIP support USB On-The-Go?
Yes, the board is capable of acting as both a USB host and a device. - What type of power supplies are integrated into the board?
The board features integrated buck and boost power supplies. - Is the UCHIP compatible with standard breadboards?
Yes, it has a narrow DIP footprint with 0.3 inch spacing between rows. - Can the board be powered via USB?
Yes, the device supports being powered via USB or externally. - Does the UCHIP provide an external programmable power supply?
Yes, when powered by USB, it can provide a programmable 3.3V or 5V high-current supply. - How does the UCHIP compare to other small Arduino-compatible boards regarding power?
Unlike some cheap small boards that lack proper integrated power supplies, this one includes them without requiring external implementation. - What kind of microcontroller does the UCHIP use?
It uses a powerful microcontroller with plenty of RAM and FLASH, specifically a Cortex M0+. - Does the UCHIP require an expensive external programmer?
No, it is USB based and can be programmed without expensive external programmers.
