Mega2560 Pro Embed Micro USB CH340g Development Board

Features:

1. Microcontroller: ATmega2560 8-bit AVR microcontroller
2. Power Supply: Accepts 7–9V via Vin or Micro-USB
3. Digital I/O Pins: 54 (15 with PWM support)
4. Analog I/O Pins: 16 analog inputs
5. Total I/O: 70 I/O pins for flexible interfacing
6. Clock Speed: 16 MHz quartz crystal oscillator
7. Flash Memory: 128 KB (8 KB used by bootloader)
8. SRAM: 8 KB
9. USB Converter: CH340 USB-UART interface
10. Interfaces Supported: ICSP, SPI, I2C, 4x USART
11. Timers: 6 total (2 x 8-bit, 4 x 16-bit)
12. PWM Channels: 12 channels (2–16-bit resolution)
13. ADC: 16 channels, 10-bit resolution
14. Change Interrupts: 24 supported
15. Voltage Regulators: Onboard 5V and 3.3V LDO regulators

Description:

Despite its small footprint, the Mega Pro Embed retains the full feature set of the Mega 2560. Its robust design and high-quality components (such as the 16 MHz resonator) ensure reliability in industrial and hobbyist applications alike. Communication is handled via the CH340G USB-UART chip (driver installation required).

Power can be supplied via the Micro-USB port or through the Vin/GND pins. While the onboard regulator can technically tolerate up to 18V, using a 6V–9V DC supply is recommended to avoid heat buildup and potential damage.

Principle of Operation:

As with all Arduino-compatible boards, the Mega Pro Embed is based on the principles of simplicity, openness, and ease of use. Key operational highlights include:

• Open Source: Fully open hardware and software ecosystem
• User-Friendly: Easy coding via the Arduino IDE
• Extensibility: Compatible with shields and peripherals
• Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux

How It Works Internally:

1. Microcontroller: Runs user code stored in Flash
2. Bootloader: Enables USB programming without external hardware
3. Flash Memory: Non-volatile memory for code storage
4. SRAM: Temporary memory for runtime variables
5. I/O Pins: Digital and analog input/output interfacing
6. Clock: Keeps operations synchronized at 16 MHz
7. Power Supply: Regulated 5V and 3.3V output for peripherals
8. USB-UART: CH340 chip for serial communication with a PC

Pinout Diagram:

Pin Functions:

1. Digital I/O: 54 pins (15 PWM-capable)
2. GND: Ground connections
3. AREF: Analog reference voltage for ADC
4. SDA/SCL: I2C communication pins
5. ICSP Header: Programming via MOSI/MISO/SCK
6. USB Port: CH340 for programming and serial data
7. D13 LED: Built-in LED for testing
8. TX/RX LEDs: Indicate serial communication
9. Crystal Oscillator: 16 MHz timing source
10. Voltage Regulators: 5V and 3.3V outputs
11. IOREF: Voltage reference for shields
12. RESET Header: Optional external reset pin
13. Power Pins: 3.3V (50mA max), 5V, GND
14. Vin: Accepts 6–9V external DC input
15. Analog Pins: A0–A15
16. Reset Button: Restarts the board manually
17. SPI Header: Alternate interface for programming and communication
18. Power LED: Indicates power-on state

Common Applications:

• Weighing Machines
• Traffic Light Countdown Systems
• Smart Parking Lot Counters
• Embedded System Projects
• Home Automation
• Industrial Automation
• Medical Device Prototypes
• Emergency Lighting for Railways

Basic Circuit:

No external circuit required for basic testing—uses built-in LED on pin 13.

First-Time Setup with Arduino IDE:

1. Install the Arduino IDE: Download Arduino IDE
2. Install CH340 Driver: Download CH340 Driver
3. Select the Board: Tools → Board → "Arduino Mega or Mega 2560"
4. Select Port: Tools → Port → Choose correct COM port
   • Windows: COMx
   • macOS: /dev/cu.usbmodem*
   • Linux: /dev/ttyACM*
5. Upload Code: Write a sketch or use an example (e.g., "Blink"), click Verify, then Upload.

Example Code:

// Basic Serial and LED Test
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
  Serial.println("Serial communication initialized...");
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
  delay(500);
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);
  delay(500);
}