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- February 24, 2023
- PCB knowledge
- (0)
- 06 mins
Arduino Leonardo – what is it and where can it be used
The Arduino Leonardo is a microcontroller board. It belongs to the Arduino family of boards. Therefore, it has similar functionalities to the Arduino Uno. Nonetheless, it still has several differences from the Arduino Uno. For instance, the Arduino Leonardo has USB communication capabilities. It can, therefore, act as a USB input device, such as a keyboard or mouse.
The Arduino Leonardo has 20 digital input/output pins. Twelve of them can be used as analog inputs. Its form factor resembles the Arduino Uno, and you can program it using the Arduino Integrated Development Environment.
What is Arduino Leonardo?
Arduino Leonardo is part of the Arduino family that delivers open-source hardware systems and software to create interactive technology. Because of its built-in USB communication interface, the Arduino Leonardo differs from other boards.
The microcontroller present on the Arduino Leonardo board has 32KB of flash memory, 1KB of EEPROM, and 2.5KB of SRAM. Therefore, the board is best suited to tackle projects that need keyboard or mouse inputs. Such projects include interactive installations, remote controls, and gaming devices.
Is Arduino Leonardo Better than Uno?
The specific needs of a project determine whether Arduino Leonardo is better than Uno. The following differences between the two will determine your most-preferred option:
Compatibility
Both boards are compatible with many Arduino shields. However, some shields can only work with one board or the other.
Price
Leonardo is typically costlier when compared to Uno.
Analog Inputs and Number of PWM
Arduino Leonardo has more PWM outputs and analog inputs compared to Uno.
Microcontroller
Leonardo utilizes the ATmega32u4 microcontroller. It has more in-built features than the ATmega328P microcontroller Uno uses. For a better perspective, the microcontroller on Leonardo delivers more memory and a USB interface.
USB Interface
Arduino Leonardo has an in-built USB interface, unlike Uno. Because of this USB interface, it acts as a keyboard or mouse. The Uno has to have an extra USB-to-serial converter.
Advantages of Arduino Leonardo
Arduino Leonardo has several advantages, including the following:
Community Support
Arduino has an extended community that’s active in offering its support to members. So you can get any help or resources you need for learning, troubleshooting, and getting inspired for new projects you might have in mind.
Open-source Software
It is based on open-source software. This means that anybody can tweak the software to meet their requirements for the project.
Integrated ICSP Header
Arduino Leonardo has an integrated in-circuit serial programming header that permits programming via an external programmer.
More Analog and Digital Pins
The Leonardo has more analog and digital pins than the Uno. This makes it ideal for more complicated projects.
Digital-to-Analog Conversion
Leonardo has in-built DAC capabilities for analog signal output. This makes it an ideal pick for applications requiring top-notch analog control.
Native HID Support
Arduino Leonardo can act as a human interface device. This makes it perfect for projects that need human input.
USB Connectivity
The in-built USB communication interface makes it much easier to connect to a computer without an external USB-to-serial adapter. This makes the process of programming a lot easier. It also permits the board to act as a USB device.
Arduino Leonardo Schematic
The Arduino Leonardo schematic is available on their website. You can use it to the program based on your project. Here’s an overview of the primary connections and components on the schematic:
- ICSP header enables the microcontroller to be programmed via the ICSP.
- Input/output pins – these digital and analog pins enable users to interface with external components.
- The power circuit involves a voltage regulator converting the input voltage to a regulated 5V. A power selection jumper also powers the board from the USB or any other external power source.
- Reset circuit – this circuit has a reset switch and a pull-up resistor. It allows for the resetting of the microcontroller.
- Clock – a 16MHZ crystal oscillator provides the clock signal to the microcontroller.
- USB connection – the microcontroller is linked with a USB interface chip to be recognized as an HID.
- LEDs – two LEDs are present. One is for power, while the other is for debugging and testing.
- Communication interfaces – several communication interfaces are present for more accessible communication with other devices.
Arduino Leonardo Size
The board measures 2.7 inches in length and 2.1 inches in width. It is 1.6mm thick, without including the USB connector. Its mounting holes have a diameter of 0.125 inches and are 2.25 inches from each other.
Because of its compact size, it is easier to use in various applications and projects. They are particularly great for applications that need a lot more space allocation. In addition, their small size ensures their flexibility in various devices, such as wearable electronics and robotics.
Still, your manufacturer determines the exact dimensions of the Arduino Leonardo. This is because there are so many variations and clones of the board. Nonetheless, you have to ensure that the shape and size of the board are the same as the original design.
The Applications of Arduino Leonardo
Arduino Leonardo has several applications across different fields. The following are some of the most known applications:
- Robotics, such as robotic arms, obstacle-avoiding robots, and line-following robots.
- Internet of Things (IoT) projects include environmental monitoring systems, remote control devices, and smart homes.
- Wearable electronics because of their small size and limited power consumption.
- Gaming, such as in the creation of button-based games or the creation of customized controllers for games.
- Education where it introduces students to programming and electronics. There are numerous tutorials, resources, and an extensive community backing the Arduino Leonardo.
- Audio and music, where it builds customized musical instruments, sound effect devices, and audio processing tools.
- Industrial automation includes monitoring industrial processes, packaging machines, assembly lines, and manufacturing lines.
What USB Does Arduino Leonardo Use?
Arduino Leonardo uses a micro-USB connector. It is a more compact version of the typical USB Type-A. Its rectangular shape measures 1.8mm by 6.85mm. This size is favorable to small electronics. It also makes the Arduino Leonardo a better development board and easy to recognize as a human interface device.
How Much is Arduino Leonardo?
The source of purchase determines the pricing for an Arduino Leonardo board. The country of purchase and any other extra handling or shipping fees may equally affect the final cost of the board. You can typically expect to pay anywhere from $24.90 for the board.
Third-party manufacturers and marketers may have special prices. Plus, they may offer several price cuts or offers, which may distinctively lower the cost of the board. In addition, clones and other variations of the Arduino Leonardo board may be priced low. Ensure that whatever you get meets the set standards and certifications and is compatible with Arduino software.
Arduino Leonardo is part of the Arduino family that delivers open-source hardware systems and software to create interactive technology.
- Community Support
- Open-source Software
- Integrated ICSP Header
- More Analog and Digital Pins
- Digital-to-Analog Conversion
- Native HID Support
- USB Connectivity
The source of purchase determines the pricing for an Arduino Leonardo board. The country of purchase and any other extra handling or shipping fees may equally affect the final cost of the board. You can typically expect to pay anywhere from $24.90 for the board.
