The Arduino MKR ZERO is part of Arduino’s MKR series, designed to offer a compact and versatile development board for IoT (Internet of Things) and embedded projects. Here’s an overview of its key features and capabilities:
- Microcontroller: It uses the SAMD21 Cortex®-M0+ 32-bit low power ARM MCU, which provides a balance between performance and energy efficiency.
- Memory:
- Flash Memory: 256 KB (for the SAMD21)
- SRAM: 32 KB
- Operating Voltage: 3.3V
- Input Voltage (recommended): 5-12V
- Digital I/O Pins: 8 (of which 4 provide PWM output)
- Analog Input Pins: 7 (12-bit ADC)
- DC Current per I/O Pin: 7 mA
- Clock Speed: 48 MHz
Features
- USB Interface: Features a micro USB port for programming, power supply, and USB communication. It can act as a USB host or device.
- Power:
- LiPo Battery Charging: Includes a built-in charger for a single cell lithium polymer (LiPo) battery, supporting battery-powered projects.
- Battery Connector: Has a JST connector for connecting a LiPo battery.
- Programming: Compatible with the Arduino IDE, allowing for straightforward development using Arduino’s ecosystem.
- OTA (Over-the-Air) Programming: Supports firmware updates over the air, which is convenient for updating projects remotely.
- Secure Communication: Offers hardware encryption for secure data transmission.
- Real-Time Clock (RTC): Includes an RTC module for timekeeping, which can be useful for logging or scheduling tasks.
- On-Board LED: Has a built-in RGB LED for visual feedback.
Unique Capabilities:
- Compact Size: The MKR form factor is notably smaller than standard Arduino boards, making it ideal for space-constrained projects or IoT applications where size matters.
- Energy Efficient: Designed with low power consumption in mind, enhancing battery life for portable devices.
- Versatile I/O: Despite its size, it provides a good range of I/O options, including PWM, ADC, and digital I/O.
- Flexible Connectivity:
- I2C: For connecting various sensors or peripherals.
- SPI: For high-speed communication with devices like SD cards or displays.
- UART: For serial communication, including over USB.
- Battery Management: The built-in LiPo charging capabilities make it suitable for creating self-contained, battery-operated devices.
Use Cases:
- Wearables: Due to its compact size and battery capabilities, it’s suitable for wearable technology projects.
- IoT Prototyping: Ideal for developing IoT projects where space, power efficiency, and connectivity options are critical.
- Sensor Nodes: For environmental monitoring, home automation, or smart farming applications where multiple sensor nodes are needed.
- Prototyping and Education: Its ease of use makes it a good choice for educational purposes or rapid prototyping.
- Low Power Applications: Any project where conserving energy is crucial, like remote sensor networks or battery-operated devices.
- Art Installations: For interactive art pieces that require computation and interaction with the environment.
The Arduino MKR ZERO provides a platform for developers who need a small, versatile, and power-efficient Arduino-compatible board. It’s particularly useful for projects that benefit from its compact form factor, extended battery life, and connectivity options, making it a go-to choice for IoT, wearable technology, or any project where size and power efficiency are key considerations.
Tech specs
| Microcontroller | SAMD21 Cortex-M0+ 32bit low power ARM® MCU |
| Board Power Supply (USB/VIN) | 5V |
| Supported Battery(*) | Li-Po single cell, 3.7V, 700mAh minimum |
| DC Current for 3.3V Pin | 600mA |
| DC Current for 5V Pin | 600mA |
| Circuit Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 22 |
| PWM Pins | 12 (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, A3 – or 18 -, A4 -or 19) |
| UART | 1 |
| SPI | 1 |
| I2C | 1 |
| Analog Input Pins | 7 (ADC 8/10/12 bit) |
| Analog Output Pins | 1 (DAC 10 bit) |
| External Interrupts | 10 (0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, A1 -or 16-, A2 – or 17) |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 7 mA |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB |
| Flash Memory for Bootloader | 8 KB |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| EEPROM | no |
| Clock Speed | 32.768 kHz (RTC), 48 MHz |
| LED_BUILTIN | 32 |
| Full-Speed USB Device and embedded Host |