Arduino
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For other uses, see Arduino (disambiguation).
Arduino Software
A screenshot of the Arduino IDE showing a simple example program.
Developed by Arduino Software
Latest release 0013 / 06 February 2009; 14 days ago
Written in Java
OS Cross-platform
Type Integrated Development Environment
License LGPL or GPL license
Website http://www.arduino.cc

Arduino is a physical computing platform based on a simple I/O board and a development environment that implements the Processing/Wiring language. Arduino can be used to develop stand-alone interactive objects or can be connected to software running on a computer (e.g., Adobe Flash, Processing, Max/MSP, Pure Data, SuperCollider). Currently shipping versions can be purchased pre-assembled; hardware design information is available for those who would like to assemble an Arduino by hand.

The Arduino project received an honorary mention in the Digital Communities category at the 2006 Prix Ars Electronica.[1][2]
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Implementation
o 1.1 Hardware
o 1.2 Software
* 2 Hardware versions
* 3 Open hardware and open source
o 3.1 Naming restrictions
* 4 Development team
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

[edit] Implementation

[edit] Hardware

An Arduino board consists of an Atmel AVR microcontroller (ATmega168 in newer versions, ATmega8 in older versions) and complementary components to facilitate programming and incorporation into other circuits. Each board includes at least a 5-volt linear regulator and a 16MHz crystal oscillator (or ceramic resonator in some variants). The microcontroller is pre-programmed with a bootloader so that an external programmer is not necessary.

At a conceptual level, all boards are programmed over an RS-232 serial connection, but the way this is implemented in hardware varies by version. Serial Arduino boards contain a simple inverter circuit to convert between RS-232-level and TTL-level signals. Current Arduino boards including the Diecimila are programmed via USB, implemented using USB-to-serial adapter chips such as the FTDI FT232. Some variants, such as the Arduino Mini and the unofficial Boarduino, offload the circuitry required to connect to the computer onto a detachable USB-to-serial adapter board or cable.

The Arduino board exposes most of the microcontroller's I/O pins for use by other circuits. The Diecimila, for example, provides 14 digital I/O pins, 6 of which can produce PWM signals, and 6 analog inputs. These pins are available on the top side of the board, via female 0.1 inch headers. Several plug-in application boards known as "shields" are also commercially available.

The Arduino-compatible Barebones and Boarduino boards provide male header pins on the underside of the board in two more closely spaced rows for ease of use with solderless breadboards.