Download and install latest Arduino IDE: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software
Arduino ProMini is a smaller version of the Arduino board. It uses the same uC (ATmega328) with a smaller form factor.
Product page: https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardProMini
Note: It does not include USB interface, so it needs to be programmed via UART cable or Arduino programmer (such as USBASP)
ProMini clone boards can be bought for ~$2 on ebay.
ATmega328 has the following characteristics:
| CPU | AVR (8-bit) |
| Freq | 20MHz(Max), 16MHz(typ@5V), 8MHz(typ@3.3V) |
| RAM | 2kB |
| Flash | 32kB |
| EEPROM | 1kB |
| Package | 28-32 DIP/QFP/QFN |
Select the correct board:
Tools > Boards = 'Arduino Pro or Pro Mini'
Tools > Processor = 'ATmega328 (5V, 16MHz)'
Tools > Programmer = 'USBasp'
More details can be found there.
Bootloader is required to use Arduino IDE to program via USB/SERIAL.
Digispark is a very small USB Key form factor board featuring ATtiny85 core
Product page: http://digistump.com/products/1
Due to limited ATtiny resources, many Arduino library will not work.
Digispark clone boards can be bought for ~$1.5 on ebay.
ATtiny85 has the following characteristics:
| CPU | AVR (8-bit) |
| Freq | 20MHz(Max) |
| RAM | 512B |
| Flash | 8kB |
| Package | SOIC-8 |
Install USB driver to MicroNucleus bootloader to allow IDE to reprogram Digispark board via USB
Download Windows version here
Launch Arduino IDE.
File > Preferences > Additional Board Manager URLs = 'http://digistump.com/package_digistump_index.json'
Tools > Board > Boards Manager: Install 'Digistump AVR Boards'
Tools > Board = 'Digispark (Default)'
The board can be program from IDE when connected via USB.
STM32duino uses a much more powerful STM32F103C8T6 microcontroller based on a 72MHz ARM Cortex M3 CPU.
Product page: http://wiki.stm32duino.com/index.php?title=STM32F103_boards
STM32duino boards can be bought for little over $2 on ebay.
STM32F103C8T6 has the following characteristics:
| CPU | ARM Cortex M3 (16/32bits) |
| Freq | 72MHz |
| RAM | 20kB |
| Flash | 64kB (can be 128kB) |
| Freq | QFP-48 |
USB bootloader must be programmed using UART and ST flasher tool:
Launch Arduino IDE.
# install the arm-none-eabi-g++ toolchain
Tools > Board > Boards Manager: Install 'Arduino Zero'
Download STM32 hardware library from here.
Unzip to 'My Documents/Arduino/hardware'
Install STM32 Serial drivers: on Windows, run drivers/win/install_drivers.bat
Full details can be found Here
Select the correct board:
Tools > Boards = 'Generic STM32F103C series'
Tools > Variant = 'STM32F103C8 (20k RAM, 64k Flash)'
Tools > CPU Speed = '72MHz (Normal)'
Tools > Upload method = 'STM32duino bootloader'
Tools > Port = <USB/UART interface port>
