# Arduino Featuring 5-volt operation and impressive [Output Drive](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/output-drive), this microcontroller platform is not to be underestimated. ## Arduino Uno ![](https://3510336827-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M7yGVyBrcpSR8SDSikj%2F-M7z6AzP52ZQE8weZ5ba%2F-M7z7810nQxsrCDZqwpV%2Fa000066_featured_5.jpg?alt=media\&token=88f04192-8592-4e18-aa66-25760610fef8) | **Architecture:** 8-bit Atmel AVR | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Processor:** [ATmega328P](http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/ATmega48A-PA-88A-PA-168A-PA-328-P-DS-DS40002061A.pdf) | | **Languages:** C ([Arduino IDE](https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software)) | | **Clock:** 16 MHz | | **Vcore:** 5.0 V | | **Vio:** 5.0 V | | **Power:** 150 mW | | **Flash:** 31 KB | | **RAM:** 2 KB | | **GPIO:** 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output) | | **Peripherals:** 6x [Analog-Digital Converter](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/analog-digital-converter) *(5.0 V, 10-bit)* [UART](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/uart), [SPI](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/spi), [I2C](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/i2c) | As an evolution of the first Arduino boards (first the Arduino USB, then the NG, next the Diecimila, the Duemilanove, and finally the Uno), the **Arduino Uno** has been refined countless times while retaining good shield compatibility and a stable code base. ### Features * Widely used; code examples are easy to find and comprehensive * Form factor fits hundreds of [aftermarket shields](http://www.shieldlist.org/) which provide ready-made functionality * Phenomenal 40 mA output drive ([Slew Rate](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/slew-rate) is actually faster than the system clock!) * [Arduino IDE](https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software) makes development relatively easy, and library is chunky but easy to use * [Bootloader](https://github.com/Optiboot/optiboot) makes the impact of programming errors small and reprogramming easy over USB ### Shortcomings * Low performance; performing [Object Recognition](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/software/object-recognition) on this device is out of the question * Very little program memory or RAM available * Peripheral set very limited; [general purpose I/O](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/gpio) are scarce (only one hardware [USART](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/usart), [I2C](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/i2c) takes over Analog inputs) * Since surpassed for high-performance usage by other, form-factor compatible platforms such as the [Netduino](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/external-boards/arduino) and [LeafLabs Maple](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/external-boards/leaflabs-maple) ### History Getting used to programming on the confines of an Arduino steeps one's understanding with the [fundamentals of embedded program design](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/software/general/embedded-programming-tips). SIGBots therefore recommends that newcomers to embedded systems programming (particularly those on robot programming or electronics subteams) take their first steps on an **Arduino Uno**. The comprehensive array of code samples also makes it a good choice for personal experimentation. ## Arduino Leonardo [![](https://phabricator.purduesigbots.com/file/data/ouywihroyrgzvjqbi3y7/PHID-FILE-rk4z6d5hciyjbx6kg3kd/processor_arduino_leonardo.jpg)](https://phabricator.purduesigbots.com/file/data/ouywihroyrgzvjqbi3y7/PHID-FILE-rk4z6d5hciyjbx6kg3kd/processor_arduino_leonardo.jpg) | **Architecture:** 8-bit Atmel AVR | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Processor:** [ATmega32U4](http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardLeonardo/) | | **Languages:** C ([Arduino IDE](https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software)) | | **Clock:** 16 MHz | | **Vcore:** 5.0 V | | **Vio:** 5.0 V | | **Power:** 100 mW | | **Flash:** 28 KB | | **RAM:** 2 KB | | **GPIO:** 23 | | **Peripherals:**12x [Analog-Digital Converter](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/analog-digital-converter) *(5.0 V, 10-bit)* [UART](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/uart), [SPI](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/spi), [I2C](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/i2c) | ## Arduino Mega [![](https://phabricator.purduesigbots.com/file/data/tpu3rueuzkwjspqa2xzv/PHID-FILE-nclcbqoraveubpd544bb/processor_arduino_mega.jpg)](https://phabricator.purduesigbots.com/file/data/tpu3rueuzkwjspqa2xzv/PHID-FILE-nclcbqoraveubpd544bb/processor_arduino_mega.jpg) | **Architecture:** 8-bit Atmel AVR | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **Processor:** [ATmega2560](http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardMega2560/) | | **Language:** C ([Arduino IDE](https://www.arduino.cc/en/main/software)) | | **Clock:** 16 MHz | | **Vcore::** 5.0 V | | **Vio:** 5.0 V | | **Power:** 250 mW | | **Flash:** 256 KB | | **RAM:** 8 KB | | **GPIO: 54** | | **Peripherals:** 16x [Analog-Digital Converter](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/analog-digital-converter) *(5.0 V, 10-bit)*, 4x [UART](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/uart), [SPI](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/spi), [I2C](https://wiki.purduesigbots.com/electronics/general/i2c) | The **Arduino Mega** is an expanded version of the Arduino meant for memory or IO-hungry projects. It costs twice as much as a regular Arduino and is nearly two times larger, but fails to make significant progress in CPU power. #### Teams Contributed to this Article: * [BLRS](https://purduesigbots.com/) (Purdue SIGBots)