{"product_id":"a-star-32u4-mini","title":"A-Star 32U4 Mini","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe A-Star 32U4 Mini ULV is a programmable module based on the ATmega32U4 from Microchip (formerly Atmel).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis compact 1.9″ × 0.7″ board breaks out all 26 of the microcontroller’s I\/O pins (of which 7 can be used as PWM outputs and 12 as analog inputs), and loading programs is made easier by a Micro-USB interface and a preloaded Arduino-compatible bootloader.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Pololu A-Star 32U4 Mini boards are general-purpose programmable modules based on the ATmega32U4 AVR microcontroller from Microchip (formerly Atmel), which has 32 KB of flash program memory, 2.5 KB of RAM, and built-in USB functionality. The A-Star (abbreviated A*) adds a number of onboard features to support the microcontroller and make it easier to work with, including a 16 MHz crystal, a USB Micro-B connector, an in-system programming (ISP) header, a reset button, and three indicator LEDs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach A-Star 32U4 Mini contains a switching regulator that efficiently produces 5 V from an external voltage source to power the microcontroller. Three different versions are available, covering a wide range of input voltages:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA-Star 32U4 Mini ULV\u003c\/strong\u003e: 0.5 V to 5.5 V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA-Star 32U4 Mini LV\u003c\/strong\u003e: 2.7 V to 11.8 V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA-Star 32U4 Mini SV (ac02c)\u003c\/strong\u003e: 5 V to 36 V, 500 mA\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA robust power selection circuit enables seamless transitions between regulator power and USB power, and overcurrent and reverse-voltage protection help safeguard the board against accidental damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll 26 general-purpose I\/O lines on the ATmega32U4 are accessible on the A* 32U4 Mini; 7 of these are usable as PWM outputs and 12 are usable as analog inputs. The board measures 1.9″ × 0.7″, the same size as an \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/arduino-micro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eArduino Micro\u003c\/a\u003e, and features a pair of mounting holes sized for #2 or M2 screws (not included).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe comprehensive \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pololu.com\/docs\/0J61\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003euser’s guide\u003c\/a\u003e provides the basics you need to get started with the A-Star as well as detailed technical information for advanced users.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis product requires a \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/?q=cab02\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eUSB A to Micro-B cable\u003c\/a\u003e (not included) to connect to a computer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 1.9″ × 0.7″ (1.95″ × 0.7″ including USB Micro-B connector)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProgrammable 16 MHz ATmega32U4 AVR microcontroller\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e32 KB flash (4 KB used by bootloader, leaving 28 KB available for user program by default)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2.5 KB SRAM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 KB EEPROM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNative full-speed USB (12 Mbps)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePreloaded with Arduino-compatible bootloader (no external programmer required)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll I\/O lines from the ATmega32U4 broken out in a compact package\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e26 general-purpose I\/O pins available along the sides of the board\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 pins can be configured as hardware PWM outputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 pins can be configured as analog inputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 user-controllable LEDs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReset button\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be powered from USB or from an external source:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eULV\u003c\/strong\u003e: 0.5 V to 5.5 V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLV\u003c\/strong\u003e: 2.7 V to 11.8 V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSV (ac02c)\u003c\/strong\u003e: 5 V to 36 V\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitching regulator enables efficient operation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower selection circuit allows for seamless switching between power sources and provides overcurrent protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReverse-voltage protection on external power inputs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrecision 16 MHz crystal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6-pin ISP header for use with an external programmer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComprehensive \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pololu.com\/docs\/0J61\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003euser’s guide\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails for ULV\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eA-Star Mini ULV\u003c\/strong\u003e can be powered from a \u003cstrong\u003e0.5 V to 5.5 V\u003c\/strong\u003e external source. The input voltage is regulated to 5 V by a TPS61202 switching step-up (boost) converter from Texas Instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe regulator’s low minimum input voltage makes it possible to power this A* with 1 to 3 NiMH, NiCd, or alkaline cells or from a single lithium cell. Unlike standard boost regulators, the TPS61202 also features a linear down-regulation mode that is automatically enabled when the input voltage exceeds 5 V, allowing it to handle input voltages as high as 5.5 V.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ULV’s switching regulator has an efficiency – defined as (Power out)\/(Power in) – of 70% to 90% for most combinations of input voltage and load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails for LV\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eA-Star Mini LV\u003c\/strong\u003e can be powered from a \u003cstrong\u003e2.7 V to 11.8 V\u003c\/strong\u003e external source. The input voltage is regulated to 5 V by a TPS63061 switching step-up\/step-down (buck-boost) converter from Texas Instruments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe regulator’s flexibility in input voltage is especially well-suited for battery-powered applications in which the battery voltage begins above 5 V and drops below 5 V as the battery discharges. Without the typical restriction on the battery voltage staying above 5 V throughout its life, a wider range of battery types can be considered. For example:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 4-cell battery holder, which might have a 6 V output with fresh alkalines or a 4.0 V output with partially discharged NiMH cells, can be used to power this A*.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA disposable 9 V battery powering the board can be discharged to under 3 V instead of cutting out at 6 V, as with typical linear or step-down regulators.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LV’s switching regulator has an efficiency – defined as (Power out)\/(Power in) – of 80% to 90% for most combinations of input voltage and load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails for \u003cstrong\u003eSV (ac02c)\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis version, the \u003cstrong\u003eA-Star Mini SV (ac02c)\u003c\/strong\u003e, can be powered from a \u003cstrong\u003e5 V to 36 V\u003c\/strong\u003e external source. The input voltage is regulated to 5 V by a 500 mA ISL85415 switching step-down (buck) converter from Renesas (which acquired Intersil).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs shown in the graph below, the SV’s switching regulator has an efficiency – defined as (Power out)\/(Power in) – of 80% to 95% for most combinations of input voltage and load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0174\/1800\/files\/0J5621.1200_480x480.png?v=1585067856\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe A-Star’s components, including the microcontroller and LEDs, draw 30 mA to 40 mA in typical applications. The rest of the regulator’s achievable output current, which depends on input voltage as well as ambient conditions, can be used to power other devices. The graph below shows output currents at which the voltage regulator’s over-temperature protection typically kicks in after a few seconds. These currents represent the limit of the regulator’s capability and cannot be sustained for long periods; a good estimate for the maximum continuous regulator output current is 60% to 70% of the values shown in the graph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0174\/1800\/files\/0J5622.1200_9ac2b529-1a5c-4a93-9317-5474059944fe_480x480.png?v=1585067790\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eArduino compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe A-Star 32U4 ships with a preloaded Arduino-compatible bootloader (which uses 4 KB of flash memory, leaving 28 KB available for the user program). Pololu provide a software add-on that enables the board to be easily programmed from the Arduino environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe A-Star 32U4 Mini boards use the same microcontroller as the \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/arduino-leonardo-1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eArduino Leonardo\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/en-eu\/products\/arduino-micro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eArduino Micro\u003c\/a\u003e and run at the same frequency, and they are the same size as the Arduino Micro, but they offer a number of advantages over these other ATmega32U4-based boards. Most notably, their efficient switching regulators cover a wide range of input voltages, opening up new possibilities for powering projects built around Arduino-compatible microcontroller boards. Another advantage is the power selection circuit based on the TPS2113A power multiplexer from Texas Instruments, which allows safe, seamless power switching between USB and an external source without losses from passive components like fuses or diodes along with the ability to monitor and control the selected power source. Additionally, the A* 32U4 Mini breaks out a few additional pins from the ATmega32U4 microcontroller that are not exposed on the Arduino Micro or Leonardo, and it features larger, more convenient mounting holes than the Arduino Micro.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePinout\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more information about the ATmega32U4 microcontroller and its peripherals, see \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.microchip.com\/wwwproducts\/en\/ATmega32u4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eMicrochip’s ATmega32U4 documentation\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrinted on the A* circuit board are indicators that you can use to quickly identify each pin’s capabilities: a triangle next to the pin means it can be used as an analog input, and a square wave symbol under the pin number means it can be used as a PWM output.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe A-Star 32U4 Mini can either be powered directly from the USB 5 V supply or from an external voltage source, which is regulated to 5 V by its onboard regulator, and the board’s power selection circuit enables automatic, uninterrupted transitions between the two power sources. When the A-Star is powered through an external power supply connected to the BAT+ and BAT- pins, its reverse-voltage protection circuit helps prevent it from being damaged by accidentally-reversed power connections, and the VIN pin can be used as an output to supply reverse-protected power to other devices. Alternatively, the external supply can be connected directly between VIN and GND, bypassing the reverse-voltage protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.pololu.com\/docs\/0J61\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eA-Star 32U4 user’s guide\u003c\/a\u003e discusses the board’s features in more detail.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Pololu","offers":[{"title":"ULV: 0.5 V to 5.5 V","offer_id":31550270472275,"sku":"POL-3102","price":23.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"LV: 2.7 V to 11.8 V","offer_id":31550270505043,"sku":"POL-3103","price":18.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false},{"title":"SV (ac02c): 5 V to 36 V, 500 mA","offer_id":31605660155987,"sku":"POL-3104","price":11.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0174\/1800\/products\/0J5603.1200.jpg?v=1582039470","url":"https:\/\/shop.pimoroni.com\/en-eu\/products\/a-star-32u4-mini","provider":"Pimoroni Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}