Product Details
The Nano 168 is a compact, fully - functional, and breadboard - friendly development board. It's based on either the ATmega328 (Arduino Nano 3.0) or ATmega168 (Arduino Nano 2.x). With an integrated on - board USB, it has nearly all the analog and digital pins found on the UNO or Duemilanove. It functions just like the Duemilanove or UNO, except it uses the Mega 168 microcontroller. It's more budget - friendly than the Nano 328. The only difference between them is the microcontroller: one uses Mega 168 and the other Mega 328. This gives you more options for your projects. Its small and portable design makes it a great choice. It can be paired with the IO Shield for Arduino Nano, making it easier and more convenient for you to enter the Arduino world and turn your ideas into reality. As an upgraded version of the Arduino Nano, it's 100% compatible with Arduino Nano, its shields, and IDEs. The hardware has been improved for better flexibility and user experience. Features include a Power OK red LED, Green (TX), green (RX), and green (L) LEDs, an upgraded 5V voltage sourcing for more powerful drive, a Mini - B USB for programming and serial monitoring, a TX&RX breakout for use as a USB - UART convertor, a Surface - Mount ICSP header, and a standard 2.54mm spacing DIP that's breadboard - friendly. Specifications: Microcontroller is ATmega168, operating voltage (logic level) is 5V, recommended input voltage is 7 - 12V, input voltage limits are 6 - 20V, it has 14 digital I/O pins (6 of which provide PWM output), 8 analog input pins, a DC current per I/O pin of 40 mA, 16 KB of flash memory (ATmega168) or 32 KB (ATmega328) with 2 KB used by the bootloader, 1 KB of SRAM (ATmega168) or 2 KB (ATmega328), 512 bytes of EEPROM (ATmega168) or 1 KB (ATmega328), a clock speed of 16 MHz, and dimensions of 0.73' x 1.70'. Power options include the Mini - B USB connection, a 6 - 20V unregulated external power supply (pin 30), or a 5V regulated external power supply (pin 27). The power source is automatically selected to the highest voltage. Note that the FTDI FT232RL chip on the Nano is only powered when the board is powered via USB. So, when using external (non - USB) power, the 3.3V output isn't available and the RX and TX LEDs will flicker if digital pins 0 or 1 are high. Memory: The ATmega168 has 16 KB of flash memory for code (2 KB for the bootloader), 1 KB of SRAM, and 512 bytes of EEPROM. The ATmega328 has 32 KB of flash memory (also 2 KB for the bootloader), 2 KB of SRAM, and 1 KB of EEPROM.
Using the Nano 168 is quite straightforward. First, you can power it in different ways. You can use the Mini - B USB connection, a 6 - 20V unregulated external power supply through pin 30, or a 5V regulated external power supply through pin 27. The board will automatically pick the highest voltage source. When programming, connect it to your computer via the Mini - B USB. You can use it with the Arduino IDE, as it's fully compatible. If you want to use it as a USB - UART convertor, use the TX&RX breakout. When using external power other than USB, keep in mind that the 3.3V output won't be available and the RX and TX LEDs may flicker if digital pins 0 or 1 are high. For maintenance, make sure to keep it in a dry and clean environment. Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures. If you're using it with the IO Shield for Arduino Nano, ensure proper connection and alignment. Also, be careful when handling the pins to prevent bending or damage.
