The Nano v3 CH340, is a compact and cost-effective microcontroller board designed to seamlessly integrate with the Arduino IDE. Boasting the powerful ATmega328P microcontroller and CH340 USB-to-serial chip, this board offers an array of capabilities, including 14 digital input/output pins, 8 analog inputs, and a 16MHz quartz crystal for precise timing.Tailored for use with breadboards and engineered with limited-space projects in mind, its sleek design allows for easy integration into various applications. For those seeking maximum customization and adaptability, the unsoldered version grants you the freedom to tailor the assembly according to your project's unique requirements.

 

Package Includes:

• 1 x Arduino Nano v3 ATMEGA328P - CH340 Soldered.

 

Features:

• Microcontroller: ATmega328P, a powerful 8-bit AVR microcontroller with 32KB flash memory, 2KB SRAM, and 1KB EEPROM.
• USB-to-Serial Chip: CH340, enabling communication with a computer via USB.
• Digital I/O Pins: 14 digital input/output pins, which can be used for interfacing with various sensors, actuators, and other digital devices.
• Analog Inputs: 8 analog input pins, allowing the board to read analog signals from sensors and other analog devices.
• Clock Speed: 16MHz quartz crystal, providing precise timing for accurate operation.
• Compatibility: Designed to work seamlessly with the Arduino IDE, making it easy to program and upload code.
• Breadboard-Friendly: Compact size and pin layout that fit standard breadboards, facilitating prototyping and experimentation.
• Low Power Consumption: The board is energy-efficient, making it suitable for battery-powered projects.
• Integrated Development Environment (IDE): Arduino IDE offers a user-friendly platform to write, compile, and upload code to the board.
• Expandability: The board supports various shields and modules, allowing you to extend its functionality for specific projects.
• GPIO Flexibility: Versatile digital and analog pins that can be configured for various tasks, providing flexibility in project design.
• Onboard LEDs: Built-in LEDs for convenient debugging and status indication.
• Programming Interface: USB connection for easy programming and communication with a computer.
• Open-Source: The board's design is open-source, allowing users to access and modify the hardware design if needed.
• Cost-Effective: An affordable option for hobbyists, students, and professionals alike, making it accessible for a wide range of projects and budgets.

 

Description:

the Arduino Nano v3 ATMEGA328P - CH340 stands out as a versatile and user-friendly microcontroller board, ideal for a diverse range of electronic projects, and capable of accommodating both beginners and experienced enthusiasts alike.  it has earned its popularity as a microcontroller board due to its integration of the widely-used ATmega328P chip, also found in the Arduino Uno. it is particularly favored for projects with limited space. Designed to be breadboard-friendly, it easily connects to external components like sensors and actuators. With a range of capabilities, the board offers 14 digital input/output pins, 8 analog inputs, and a 16MHz quartz crystal for precise timing. Its micro USB port facilitates communication with computers and other devices, while a power jack allows for external power supply integration. A notable feature is the CH340 USB-to-serial chip, enabling seamless serial communication with computers. This facilitates effortless programming and debugging using the Arduino IDE, a robust software development environment. With the Arduino IDE, users can write and upload code to the board, harnessing an array of libraries and example codes for various projects. For those seeking even greater flexibility and customization, the unsoldered version is a perfect choice. This variant arrives with components unassembled, offering ample opportunities for modifying the board to meet specific project requirements. However, keep in mind that basic soldering skills are necessary to assemble the components onto the board.

 

Principle of Work:

the Arduino Nano v3 ATMEGA328P - CH340 board functions through its microcontroller, utilizing the USB-to-serial chip to communicate with the Arduino IDE over a USB connection. This interaction allows users to program the board and control various components connected to its I/O pins, making it a versatile and accessible platform for electronics and programming projects:

1. Microcontroller: The heart of the board is the ATmega328P microcontroller. It is responsible for executing the program code stored in its flash memory and controlling the various input/output (I/O) pins.
2. Clock: The board utilizes a 16MHz quartz crystal as its clock source. The crystal generates precise clock signals for the microcontroller, ensuring accurate timing of instructions and operations.
3. I/O Pins: The board has 14 digital I/O pins and 8 analog input pins. These pins can be configured as either inputs or outputs, allowing the board to interact with external devices such as sensors, LEDs, motors, and more.
4. USB-to-Serial Communication: The CH340 chip on the board facilitates USB-to-serial communication. It acts as a bridge between the microcontroller's UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) and the USB interface, enabling the board to communicate with a computer over USB.

Connection with the Arduino IDE:

• Installing Drivers: Before connecting the Arduino Nano v3 ATMEGA328P - CH340 board to a computer, you may need to install the CH340 USB-to-serial driver. This driver allows the computer to recognize and communicate with the board through the USB port.
• Connecting the Board: Once the driver is installed, you can connect the board to the computer using a USB cable. The USB connection powers the board and establishes a communication link between the board and the computer.
• Arduino IDE: The Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a software tool that allows you to write, compile, and upload code to the board. It provides a user-friendly interface for programming the microcontroller and accessing various libraries and example codes.

 

Pinout of the Board:

Pin	Name	Function
1	D13	Digital output (SPI clock)
2	D12	Digital output (SPI MISO)
3	D11	Digital output (SPI MOSI)
4	D10	Digital output (SPI chip select)
5	D9	Digital output (PWM)
6	D8	Digital output (PWM)
7	D7	Digital output
8	D6	Digital output (PWM)
9	D5	Digital output (PWM)
10	D4	Digital output
11	D3	Digital output (PWM)
12	D2	Digital output
13	D1	Digital output
14	D0	Digital input/output
15	AREF	Analog reference voltage input
16	A0	Analog input
17	A1	Analog input
18	A2	Analog input
19	A3	Analog input
20	A4	Analog input/output (I2C SDA)
21	A5	Analog input/output (I2C SCL)
22	RESET	Reset
23	5V	Power supply (5V)
24	GND	Ground
25	Vin	Power supply input (7-12V)
26	NC	Not connected

 

 

Applications:

1. DIY Electronics Projects: Hobbyists and electronics enthusiasts can use the Arduino Nano for various DIY projects, such as building home automation systems, smart gadgets, or interactive displays.
2. Prototyping: The board's compact size and breadboard compatibility make it ideal for prototyping and testing new electronic designs before creating a final product.
3. Robotics: Arduino Nano can serve as the brain of small robots, controlling motors, sensors, and other actuators to create robotic projects like line-following robots, obstacle avoidance robots, or remote-controlled vehicles.
4. Sensor Networks: It can be used to gather data from multiple sensors and create sensor networks for environmental monitoring, weather stations, or home automation systems.
5. Wearable Devices: Due to its small size and low power consumption, the board is suitable for wearable electronics projects, like fitness trackers, smartwatches, or health monitoring devices.
6. IoT (Internet of Things): The Arduino Nano can be incorporated into IoT projects, allowing remote control and monitoring of devices and systems over the internet.
7. Data Logging: Its ability to interface with sensors and store data on an SD card or transmit it to a computer makes it valuable for data logging applications.
8. Home Automation: Arduino Nano can be used to create smart home automation systems, controlling lights, appliances, and security devices based on various inputs and conditions.
9. Educational Purposes: Arduino Nano is widely used in educational settings to teach electronics, programming, and robotics due to its ease of use and beginner-friendly nature.
10. Art Installations and Interactive Displays: Artists and designers can use the board to create interactive art installations, kinetic sculptures, and interactive displays that respond to user input or environmental conditions.
11. Protocols and Communication: The board can be used for implementing various communication protocols like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee, enabling wireless communication between devices.
12. Automotive Projects: Arduino Nano can be utilized in automotive projects for data logging, diagnostics, and control of certain vehicle functions.
13. Gaming and Entertainment: It can be incorporated into DIY gaming consoles, controllers, and other entertainment devices.

 

Circuit:

No need for a circuit we will use the onboard LED on Pin 13.

 

Library: 

Steps to download and use the Arduino Nano v3 ATmega328P with CH340 for the first time:

• Download and install the Arduino IDE: Go to the official Arduino website (https://www.arduino.cc/en/software) and download the latest version of the Arduino IDE for your operating system. Follow the installation instructions provided.

• Prior to establishing a connection between the board and your computer, ensure that you've linked your Arduino Nano board to the computer using a USB cable.

1. When seeking the CH340 driver, it is advisable to visit the official website of the driver provider. While you can find the driver from different sources, getting it directly from the official provider ensures a reliable and up-to-date version. (http://www.wch.cn/download/CH341SER_ZIP.html).
2. Download the Driver: Head to the provider's website and locate the suitable driver for your operating system. Click on the download link, and the driver will typically be available in the form of a ZIP file.
3. Extract the ZIP File: After the download is complete, extract the contents of the ZIP file to a designated folder on your computer.
4. Install the Driver: Locate the extracted file and double-click on it to initiate the installation process. Follow the provided instructions to complete the installation. Be aware that the installation procedure may differ depending on your operating system.
5. Connect Your Device: With the driver now installed, connect your Arduino board to your computer using a USB cable. Your operating system should automatically detect the device and install the necessary driver.

• Select the board type: Open the Arduino IDE, go to the Tools menu, and select the Board type as "Arduino Nano". Then, select the Processor as "ATmega328P".
• Select the serial port: Go to the Tools menu and select the Serial port that corresponds to the USB port your board is connected to.
• Upload a sketch: Open an example sketch or write your own code, and click the "Upload" button to upload the sketch to the board. The onboard LED should blink once the upload is complete.
• Verify the output: Open the Serial Monitor (Tools menu > Serial Monitor), and set the baud rate to 9600. You should see the output of your sketch printed in the Serial Monitor.

That's it! You have successfully downloaded and used the Arduino Nano v3 ATmega328P with CH340 for the first time.

 

Code:

an example sketch that you can use to control the onboard LED in Arduino Nano using the Serial Monitor:

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT); // set the LED pin as output
  Serial.begin(9600); // initialize the Serial Monitor
}

void loop() {
  if (Serial.available()) { // if there's data available in Serial Monitor
    char command = Serial.read(); // read the incoming command
    if (command == '1') { // if the command is '1'
      digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH); // turn on the LED
      Serial.println("LED turned on"); // print message to Serial Monitor
    }
    else if (command == '0') { // if the command is '0'
      digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW); // turn off the LED
      Serial.println("LED turned off"); // print message to Serial Monitor
    }
  }
}

• Upload the sketch to the Arduino Nano using the Arduino IDE.
• Open the Serial Monitor (Tools menu > Serial Monitor).
• Set the baud rate to 9600.
• Type '1' and press Enter to turn on the LED. Type '0' and press Enter to turn off the LED. You should see the messages "LED turned on" or "LED turned off" printed in the Serial Monitor, and the LED on the Arduino Nano board should turn on or off accordingly.

 

Technical Details: 

• Microcontroller: ATmega328P
• Clock Speed: 16 MHz
• Operating Voltage: 5V
• Recommended Input Voltage: 7-12V
• Input Voltage Limit: 6-20V
• Digital I/O Pins: 14 (6 of them offer PWM output)
• Analog Input Pins: 8
• Flash Memory: 32 KB (ATmega328P) of which 2 KB used by bootloader
• SRAM: 2 KB (ATmega328P)
• EEPROM: 1 KB (ATmega328P)
• DC Current per I/O Pin: 20 mA
• DC Current for 3.3V Pin: 50 mA
• USB to Serial Converter: CH340G

 

Resources:

• Tutorial 
  
  

Comparisons:

The Arduino Nano v3.0 ATmega328P-CH340 and Arduino Pro Mini 5v 16MHz use the same microcontroller and offer similar features. The main differences lie in their form factors, USB-to-serial interfaces, voltage options, and current limits, making each board better suited for specific use cases and project requirements:

1. Form Factor:

   • Arduino Nano v3.0: The Nano has a compact form factor, with a USB port for easy programming and a built-in voltage regulator. It is breadboard-friendly and has pins spaced at 2.54mm intervals.
   • Arduino Pro Mini: The Pro Mini is much smaller and designed for space-constrained projects. It does not have a USB interface or voltage regulator, and the pins are spaced at 2.54mm intervals, making it suitable for soldering onto a custom PCB.

2. Microcontroller: Both boards use the same microcontroller, the ATmega328P. It is an 8-bit AVR microcontroller with 32KB of flash memory, 2KB of SRAM, and 1KB of EEPROM.

3. Operating Voltage:

   • Arduino Nano v3.0: Operates at 5V.
   • Arduino Pro Mini: Comes in 3.3V and 5V versions, depending on the model.

4. USB-to-Serial Interface:

   • Arduino Nano v3.0: Utilizes the CH340G USB-to-serial converter chip for communication with a computer.
   • Arduino Pro Mini: Does not have a built-in USB-to-serial interface; an external FTDI USB-to-serial adapter is required for programming and communication with a computer.

5. Digital I/O Pins: Both boards have 14 digital I/O pins, which can be used for interfacing with various sensors, actuators, and other digital devices.

6. Analog Input Pins: Both boards have 8 analog input pins for reading analog signals from sensors and other analog devices.

7. PWM Output Pins: Both boards have 6 PWM output pins, which are useful for controlling motors, LEDs, and other devices that require variable output levels.

8. Current Limit:

   • Arduino Nano v3.0: Can supply up to 20mA per I/O pin and up to 50mA for the 3.3V pin.
   • Arduino Pro Mini: Can supply up to 40mA per I/O pin and up to 150mA for the 3.3V version or up to 200mA for the 5V version.

9. Memory: Both boards have 32KB of flash memory, 2KB of SRAM, and 1KB of EEPROM.

10. Clock Speed:Both boards operate at a clock speed of 16MHz.

11. Use Cases:

• Arduino Nano v3.0: Ideal for prototyping, DIY electronics projects, robotics, and applications where USB connectivity is required.
• Arduino Pro Mini: Suitable for compact and embedded projects, wearable devices, and applications with limited space where USB connectivity is not essential.