What is Arduino Due

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The Arduino Due is a high-performance board from Arduino, distinct from the AVR-based Arduino boards like the Uno or Mega, as it uses a 32-bit ARM core microcontroller. Here’s an overview of its key features and capabilities:

• Microcontroller:
  • AT91SAM3X8E: An ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller, providing:
    • Flash Memory: 512 KB
    • SRAM: 96 KB
• Operating Voltage: 3.3V (5V tolerant I/O pins)
• Input Voltage (recommended): 7-12V
• Digital I/O Pins: 54 (of which 12 provide PWM output)
• Analog Input Pins: 12 (12-bit ADC)
• DC Current per I/O Pin: 13 mA
• DC Current for 3.3V Pin: 800 mA
• Clock Speed: 84 MHz

Key Features:

• USB Interface:
  • USB OTG: Features a USB On-The-Go port, allowing it to act as a USB host or device.
  • Programming: Can be programmed over USB, supporting native USB communication.
• Power:
  • Power Supply: Includes a 3.3V regulator for the microcontroller, but can also supply 5V for peripherals through a separate regulator.
  • External Power: Can be powered via the USB or an external power source through the DC jack or VIN pin.
• Programming: Compatible with the Arduino IDE, with some additional setup required due to its different architecture.
• DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter): Includes two 12-bit DAC outputs, allowing for direct control of analog devices.
• Advanced Communication:
  • UART: 4 hardware serial ports for serial communication.
  • I2C: Two I2C ports.
  • SPI: Two SPI interfaces.
  • CAN: Controller Area Network for automotive applications.
• PWM Channels: Up to 12 PWM channels with higher resolution than traditional Arduino boards.
• On-Board LEDs:
  • TX/RX: Indicate serial communication activity.
  • Power: Indicates power status.
• Reset Button: To reset the board.
• JTAG Header: For debugging and programming.

Unique Capabilities:

• 32-bit Processing: Provides significantly more processing power and memory compared to 8-bit Arduino boards.
• DAC Outputs: Allows for direct analog output, useful in applications requiring precise voltage control.
• High-Speed USB: Supports USB OTG for versatile connectivity.
• Advanced I/O: More sophisticated communication options like CAN bus for industrial applications.
• High Resolution PWM: Enhanced control over motors, LEDs, and other devices requiring PWM.

Use Cases:

• Advanced Prototyping: Suitable for projects requiring more processing power or memory.
• Signal Processing: Ideal for applications involving signal processing or audio applications due to its DAC capabilities.
• Industrial Control: CAN bus communication makes it appropriate for automotive or industrial control systems.
• Education and Research: Provides a platform for learning ARM programming and exploring 32-bit microcontrollers.
• High-Performance Robotics: Can manage complex algorithms or multiple sensors and actuators simultaneously.
• Data Acquisition: With its high-speed ADC and DAC, it’s perfect for data acquisition systems.
• USB Host Applications: Can interface with USB devices like keyboards, mice, or storage devices.

The Arduino Due stands out for its power and versatility, offering developers and hobbyists a bridge to more complex and demanding applications, particularly those requiring advanced communication protocols or higher processing capabilities than what traditional 8-bit Arduinos provide. However, its use requires a bit more setup and understanding of the ARM architecture compared to other Arduino boards.