CheapDuino is the world's most budget - friendly Arduino compatible processor. Each one costs about 1/5 of an Arduino UNO. It offers an extremely low - cost solution for disposable projects like DIY, workshops, gift projects, E - Textiles, and education. It's a great option for students in second or third - world countries who can't afford the official Arduino. The cheapDuino has an ATmega8 microcontroller, just like the Arduino NG. You can program it directly with Arduino IDE using an FTDI programmer or a USB Serial Light Adapter. Despite its tiny 2cm x 2cm size, it packs a punch. We've spent a lot of time perfecting every detail, even with its low price. It has 3 pwm digital pins, 3 analog pins, and a power supply interface with hexagonal pads that are beginner - friendly for soldering. It also has an I2C interface and serial port to directly extend 2 - wire peripheral devices. The micro FPC connector saves space compared to regular Arduino USB interfaces. 'Cheapduino - Not just cheap'. A simple temperature display application based on cheapDuino is shown in the picture. Win the Editor's Choice Award at Maker Faire Bay Area 2015. This kit includes 5 cheapDuino, 2 DFRobot standard fpc programming cables, and 1 fpc programmer adapter. The FTDI programmer is not included. If you don't have a programmer and a mini USB cable, we recommend buying one of the listed ones. Specifications: Working voltage is 3 - 5 volts, recommended power supply is 5v, microcontroller is Atmel AVR ATmega8, bootloader is Arduino NG / w ATmega8, it has 3 digital and 3 analog pins with easy - to - solder hexagonal pads, integrates 3 pwm pins, I2C and UART interfaces. It's suitable for workshops, education, DIY, compact projects, and E - Textiles. Dimensions are 2cm x 2cm x 0.2cm(0.78x0.78x0.08'). Documents available are Wiki Doc, Schematic, layout, Arduino Home Page, and Arduino Software.
Using the Cheapduino is easy. First, if you don't have a programmer, pick one from the recommended ones, like the FTDI Basic Breakout 3.3/5V or the USB Serial Light Adapter, and a mini USB cable. When you plug the fpc programming cable into the DFRobot FPC programmer and the cheapDuino, make sure the blue side is facing up. You can then program the cheapDuino directly with Arduino IDE via the chosen programmer. For soldering, thanks to the hexagonal pads around the board, it's quite straightforward even for beginners. Just take your time and be careful. In terms of power, it can work with a voltage between 3 and 5 volts, but we recommend using a 5 - volt power supply for the best performance. As for maintenance, keep it in a dry and clean place. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures or moisture. If you're not using it for a long time, it's a good idea to store it properly to prevent any damage. Enjoy using your Cheapduino to control the physical world!
