If you’re a maker, hobbyist, or engineer, chances are you’ve come across Arduino at some point in your life. Arduino, a well-known brand, has been at the forefront of producing open-source development boards. For the past decade, the Arduino UNO R3 has enjoyed immense popularity due to its versatility and wide availability. However, the market has evolved significantly since then, and the time has come for a more powerful microcontroller unit (MCU). The Arduino UNO R3, being an 8-bit controller (ATmega 328P), and constrained by its 2KB SRAM, 32KB FLASH, 1KB EEPROM, and the absence of wireless connectivity, found itself falling behind.
Recently, Arduino unveiled their latest addition to the UNO lineup: the Arduino UNO R4. This release brings a multitude of new and exciting changes that we’re eager to explore in this article. So, without any more delay, let’s dive right in and discover all the remarkable features of the Arduino UNO R4.
What is new?
The Arduino UNO R4 revolutionizes the UNO range by preserving the standard form factor, shield compatibility, 5V power supply, and robustness while introducing significant improvements. It incorporates a powerful 32-bit Arm® Cortex®-M4 processor, providing a remarkable 16-fold increase in memory. Moreover, the UNO R4 boards feature an enhanced thermal design, enabling them to operate with power supplies of up to 24V. Making it even more versatile in industrial applications.
The Arduino UNO R4 is available in two variants: Arduino UNO R4 Minima and Arduino UNO R4 WiFi. Each variant offers unique features and capabilities. Let’s delve into the details of each one:
Arduino UNO R4 Minima.
The Arduino UNO R4 Minima is a remarkable variant of the UNO R4 that offers enhanced features within the familiar UNO form factor. With expanded memory, increased processing power, and compatibility with existing shields, the UNO R4 Minima empowers makers to tackle complex projects with ease. Its support for a wider input voltage range and the inclusion of additional onboard peripherals such as a 12-bit DAC and CAN BUS further amplifies its versatility. Debugging becomes effortless with the SWD connector, while the built-in HID support adds convenience. The Arduino UNO R4 Minima is the perfect tool for makers seeking a robust and efficient platform to fuel their prototyping and learning endeavours.
Arduino UNO R4 Minima Specifications:
| Microcontroller | Renesas RA4M1 (Arm® Cortex®-M4) |
| USB | Type C (Programming & Power 5V) |
| Pins | 14 Digital (6 PWM) & 6 Analog (1 DAC) |
| Communication | UART, I2C, SPI & CAN |
| Operating Voltage | 5V DC |
| Input Voltage (VIN) | 6V – 24V |
| Clock Speed | 48MHz |
| Memory | 256 kB Flash, 32 kB RAM |
| Dimensions | 53.34 mm x 68.85 mm |
With its impressive power and capabilities, the Arduino UNO R4 Minima excels at handling complex tasks with ease. Check out the datasheet for details. It’s important to note that the Minima variant does not offer built-in WiFi functionality. If wireless connectivity is a requirement for your project, there is another option available to meet your needs. Let’s explore the alternative solution that provides WiFi capabilities to enhance your project’s connectivity and remote control.
Arduino UNO R4 WiFi.
The Arduino UNO R4 WiFi is an exceptional board that combines the processing power and innovative peripherals of the RA4M1 microcontroller from Renesas. With the wireless connectivity capabilities of the ESP32-S3 from Espressif. This powerful combination enables makers to take their projects to the next level. Additionally, the UNO R4 WiFi comes equipped with a built-in 12×8 LED matrix, Qwiic connector, VRTC (Virtual Real-Time Clock), and OFF pin, providing a comprehensive solution to meet various project requirements.
Arduino UNO R4 WiFi Specifications:
| Microcontroller | Renesas RA4M1 (Arm® Cortex®-M4) |
| USB | Type C (Programming & Power 5V) |
| Pins | 14 Digital (6 PWM) & 6 Analog (1 DAC) |
| Communication | UART, I2C, SPI & CAN |
| Operating Voltage | 5V DC (ESP32-S3 is 3.3 V) |
| Input Voltage (VIN) | 6V – 24V |
| Clock Speed | 48MHz (ESP32-S3 is up to 240 MHz) |
| Memory | 256 kB Flash, 32 kB RAM (ESP32-S3 is 384 kB ROM, 512 kB SRAM) |
| Dimentions | 53.34 mm x 68.85 mm |
With Renesas RA4M1 and ESP32-S3, Arduino UNO R4 WiFi is a powerful and modern board. Now equipped with WiFi and BLE for seamless wireless connectivity in your projects. Check out the datasheet for more details.
My Thoughts.
Both the Arduino UNO R4 Minima and UNO R4 WiFi are impressive boards that meet modern standards and offer a range of features. However, an important consideration is the pricing aspect. The UNO R4 Minima comes with a price tag of $23, while the WiFi variant is priced around $32. Comparatively, there are other development boards such as the NodeMCU ESP32 that provide similar features at a lower cost. This price difference may be a point of concern for some makers who are looking for more affordable options without compromising on functionality. It’s important to weigh the features, performance, and pricing to determine the best fit for your specific project requirements and budget.
If you like this article, also check out “Getting Started With Raspberry Pi Pico” and “Getting Started with ESP8266“