Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini CH340G Development Board

Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini is a compact ATmega2560-based development board featuring a CH340G USB-to-serial interface, Micro USB connector, 54 digital I/O pins and 16 analog inputs. A compatible header pin set is included separately for soldering as required.

Description

The Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini CH340G Development Board provides the extensive I/O capabilities of the ATmega2560 platform in a compact board format. It is suitable for embedded systems, robotics, automation, prototyping and electronics projects that require more input/output connections than smaller microcontroller boards.

At the heart of the board is the ATmega2560 microcontroller operating at 16 MHz. It provides 54 digital I/O pins, including 15 PWM outputs, along with 16 analog inputs and 4 hardware UARTs. The ATmega2560 also provides 256 KB Flash memory, 8 KB SRAM and 4 KB EEPROM.

For USB communication and programming, the board uses an onboard CH340G USB-to-serial converter connected through the Micro USB port. The CH340G has its own dedicated 12 MHz crystal, which provides the clock required for the USB-to-UART interface.

The board therefore uses separate clock sources for its main processing and USB communication functions. The ATmega2560 operates at 16 MHz, while the CH340G uses a 12 MHz crystal. The presence of the 12 MHz crystal does not mean that the ATmega2560 operates at 12 MHz.

The compact Mega 2560 Pro / Embed-style layout is useful for projects where PCB space is limited but a high I/O count is still required. An onboard reset button and ICSP connection points are also provided.

The supplied Chip.pk board has unpopulated through-hole I/O connections. A compatible header pin set is included separately in the package, allowing users to solder the headers according to their project and installation requirements.

Key Features

• ATmega2560 microcontroller
• ATmega2560 operating at 16 MHz
• CH340G USB-to-serial converter
• Dedicated 12 MHz crystal for the CH340G
• Separate clocking for the main MCU and USB-to-serial interface
• Micro USB connector
• 54 digital I/O pins
• 15 PWM outputs
• 16 analog inputs
• 4 hardware UARTs
• 256 KB Flash memory
• 8 KB SRAM
• 4 KB EEPROM
• Onboard reset button
• ICSP connection points
• Compact Mega 2560 Pro / Embed-style form factor
• Header pins included separately for user installation
• Suitable for high-I/O embedded and prototyping projects

Technical Specifications

Clock / Crystal Configuration

The board contains separate clock sources for different functions:

ATmega2560 Main Clock: The ATmega2560 microcontroller operates at 16 MHz using its own clock source. This is the main processing clock of the development board.

CH340G USB Clock: A separate 12 MHz crystal is connected to the CH340G USB-to-serial converter. This clock supports the CH340G in handling USB communication and converting data between the computer's USB connection and serial UART communication.

Therefore, the 12 MHz crystal is not the main ATmega2560 clock and does not change the ATmega2560's 16 MHz operating frequency.

Power Input Note

The actual supplied PCB is marked:

“Power In: 7~9V (peak 18V)”

The PCB also carries markings for its 5V and 3.3V regulator/output sections. The marked 18V value is a peak value and should not be treated as the normal recommended operating input. For normal use, follow the board's recommended supply range.

Dimensions Note

Published references for this Mega 2560 Pro / Embed board family differ slightly regarding exact PCB dimensions. Therefore, an exact dimension is not stated here rather than presenting an uncertain specification.

Applications / Use Cases

The Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini is suitable for projects requiring a large number of I/O connections in a compact board format, including:

• Robotics and robotic controllers
• Embedded control systems
• Automation projects
• Multi-sensor systems
• Data acquisition projects
• Educational electronics
• Electronics prototyping
• Custom controller boards
• Projects using multiple serial devices
• Projects involving displays, sensors, relays and communication modules

The 4 hardware UARTs, 54 digital I/O pins and 16 analog inputs make the board particularly useful for projects where several peripherals need to operate from a single microcontroller platform.

Compatibility

The board uses the ATmega2560 platform and can be programmed through the Arduino development ecosystem using the appropriate Mega 2560 board configuration.

Because USB communication is handled by the CH340G USB-to-serial converter, a compatible CH340 driver may be required depending on the computer and operating system being used.

This is a compact Mega 2560 Pro / Embed-style board, so its physical layout differs from the standard full-size Arduino Mega 2560. Standard Mega shields should therefore not be assumed to plug directly onto this board. External modules and peripherals can instead be connected to the appropriate I/O connections.

Package Contents

• 1 × Mega 2560 Pro Development Board
• 1 × Compatible Header Pin Set

Note: The header pins are included separately and are not pre-soldered to the board. They can be soldered according to the requirements of the project.

Buy Arduino Mega 2560 Pro in Pakistan

Buy the Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini CH340G Development Board in Pakistan from Chip.pk for embedded electronics, robotics, automation and high-I/O prototyping projects. Its compact ATmega2560-based design provides extensive digital, analog and serial connectivity, while the included header pin set gives users flexibility when assembling the board into a project.

FAQs

1. What is the Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini?
The Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini is a compact ATmega2560-based development board designed for projects that require a large number of digital, analog and serial connections while using less board space than a standard full-size Mega 2560.

2. Which microcontroller is used on the Mega 2560 Pro Mini?
This board uses the ATmega2560 microcontroller, operating at 16 MHz.

3. What is the CH340G chip used for on this board?
The CH340G is the onboard USB-to-serial converter. It handles USB-to-UART communication between a connected computer and the board for programming and serial communication.

4. Why does the Mega 2560 Pro Mini have a 12 MHz crystal?
The 12 MHz crystal provides the clock for the CH340G USB-to-serial converter. It supports the CH340G in handling USB communication and USB-to-UART data conversion.

5. Does the 12 MHz crystal mean the ATmega2560 runs at 12 MHz?
No. The 12 MHz crystal is associated with the CH340G USB-to-serial circuit. The main ATmega2560 microcontroller operates separately at 16 MHz using its own clock source.

6. How many digital I/O pins does the Mega 2560 Pro Mini have?
The ATmega2560 platform provides 54 digital I/O pins, including 15 PWM outputs.

7. How many analog inputs are available?
The board provides 16 analog input channels.

8. How many hardware UARTs does the ATmega2560 provide?
The ATmega2560 provides 4 hardware UARTs, which is useful for projects involving multiple serial devices.

9. What USB connector does this Mega 2560 Pro Mini use?
The supplied board uses a Micro USB connector for USB communication and programming through the CH340G interface.

10. Are header pins included with the board?
Yes. A compatible header pin set is included in the package.

11. Are the included header pins pre-soldered?
No. The actual board has unpopulated through-hole connections. The header pins are supplied separately so the user can solder them according to project requirements.

12. Can standard Arduino Mega 2560 shields plug directly into this board?
They should not be assumed to fit directly. This compact Mega 2560 Pro / Embed-style board has a different physical layout from the standard full-size Mega 2560. Peripherals can instead be connected through the corresponding I/O connections.

13. Can the Mega 2560 Pro Mini be programmed using Arduino IDE?
Yes. The ATmega2560 platform can be programmed through the Arduino development ecosystem using the appropriate Mega 2560 board configuration. A CH340-compatible USB driver may be required depending on the computer and operating system.

14. What is the difference between the 16 MHz and 12 MHz clocks on this board?
The 16 MHz clock is used by the ATmega2560 microcontroller, while the separate 12 MHz crystal is used by the CH340G USB-to-serial converter. The two clock sources perform different functions on the board.

15. Where can I buy Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini in Pakistan?
The Arduino Mega 2560 Pro Mini CH340G Development Board is available from Chip.pk for electronics prototyping, embedded systems, robotics and automation projects in Pakistan.