Overview
Enhanced and improved, the Arduino UNO R4 Minima is armed with a powerful 32-bit microcontroller courtesy of Renesas. Brace yourself for increased processing power, expanded memory, and a whole new level of on-board peripherals. The best part? Compatibility with existing shields and accessories remains intact, and there’s no need to make any changes to the standard form factor or 5 V operating voltage.
Joining the Arduino ecosystem, the UNO R4 is a trusty addition suitable for both beginners and seasoned electronics enthusiasts. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to push the boundaries of your projects, this robust board delivers reliable performance every time.
Here’s what the UNO R4 Minima brings to the table:
- Hardware compatibility with UNO form factor: The UNO R4 Minima maintains the same form factor, pinout, and 5 V operating voltage as its predecessor, the UNO R3. This ensures a seamless transition for existing shields and projects, leveraging the extensive and unique ecosystem already established for the Arduino UNO.
- Expanded memory and faster clock: Prepare for more precise calculations and the ability to handle complex projects with ease. The UNO R4 Minima boasts increased memory and a faster clock speed, empowering you to tackle demanding tasks effortlessly.
- Extra on-board peripherals: The UNO R4 Minima introduces a range of on-board peripherals, including a 12-bit DAC, CAN BUS, and OP AMP. These additional components provide you with expanded capabilities and flexibility in your designs.
- Extended 24 V tolerance: The UNO R4 Minima now supports a wider input voltage range, allowing power supplies up to 24 V. This enables seamless integration with motors, LED strips, and other actuators, simplifying your projects by utilizing a single power source.
- SWD connector: Debugging is a critical aspect of any project. Simply connect an external debugger to the UNO R4 Minima and effortlessly monitor the inner workings of your system. Stay in control and gain valuable insights.
- HID support: The UNO R4 Minima comes with built-in HID (Human Interface Device) support, enabling it to simulate a mouse or keyboard when connected to a computer via a USB cable. This convenient feature makes it a breeze to send keystrokes and mouse movements to a computer, enhancing usability and functionality.
Get ready to unlock a world of possibilities with the Arduino UNO R4 Minima. Its exceptional features and enhanced capabilities make it the perfect companion for your innovative ventures.
If you are looking to upgrade your project with wireless connectivity or want to start exploring the world of IoT, you can check the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi.
Tech specs
| Board | Name | Arduino® UNO R4 Minima |
| SKU | ABX00080 | |
| Microcontroller | Renesas RA4M1 (Arm® Cortex®-M4) | |
| USB | USB-C® | Programming Port |
| Pins | Digital I/O Pins | 14 |
| Pins | Analog input pins | 6 |
| DAC | 1 | |
| PWM pins | 6 | |
| Communication | UART | Yes, 1x |
| I2C | Yes, 1x | |
| SPI | Yes, 1x | |
| CAN | Yes 1 CAN Bus | |
| Power | Circuit operating voltage | 5 V |
| Input voltage (VIN) | 6-24 V | |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 8 mA | |
| Clock speed | Main core | 48 MHz |
| Memory | RA4M1 | 256 kB Flash, 32 kB RAM |
| Dimensions | Width | 68.85 mm |
| Length | 53.34 mm | |
Documentation
Learn more
Get Inspired
In robotics and several other disciplines, PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control is a way for systems with closed-loop feedback to adjust themselves according to sensor data without overshooting the target. Drones, for example, use PID control to remain stable without wild oscillations caused by over-correction. But implementing PID control can feel overwhelming, so Adam Soileau from element14 Presents built a simple robot for some experimentation. This robot’s only job is to drive forward until it sees a wall, then stop at a specific distance from that wall. That isn’t hard to achieve when a robot is moving at slow pace, because the code can tell the robot to stop moving the moment it reaches the target distance. But when moving fast, the robot has to take braking acceleration into account and that is much harder to predict. PID control is perfect for this situation, because it adjusts motor output in real-time according to the incoming sensor data. In this case, that sensor data comes from an ultrasonic rangefinder mounted to the front of the 3D-printed robot. An Arduino UNO R4 Minima board receives that data and controls the robot’s two motors through H-bridge drivers. That hardware is very straightforward so that Soileau could focus on the PID control. Tuning that is all about balancing the three constant values to get the desired performance. Soileau spent some time working on the Arduino sketch to get the PID control integrated and was eventually able to make the robot act like it should. If you’re interested in using PID control in your next robotics project, then Soileau’s video should help you get started.
FAQs
Can I use hardware compatible with the Arduino UNO R3 with the Arduino UNO R4 Minima?
Yes, the Arduino UNO R4 Minima was specifically designed to ensure compatibility with previous shields and compatible hardware developed for the Arduino UNO R3. The UNO R4 Minima maintains the same mechanical and electrical compatibility, allowing you to seamlessly use your existing shields and hardware with the new board. This makes it easy to upgrade to the UNO R4 Minima without the need for significant changes or adaptations to your projects.
Can I use my sketch developed for the UNO R3 in the UNO R4 Minima?
Yes, if your sketch was developed using the Arduino API. In case you are using instructions only available for the AVR architecture, some changes need to be made to ensure compatibility.
Are all libraries compatible with the UNO R3 also compatible with the UNO R4 Minima?
No, some UNO R3 libraries use instructions of the AVR architecture that are not compatible with the architecture of the UNO R4 Minima, however there are libraries that have already been ported as part of our early adopters program or are based on the Arduino API.
