The Particle Argon is a robust Wi-Fi development kit designed for creating IoT applications. It has advanced processors, including the Nordic nRF52840 and Espressif ESP32, making it versatile for various IoT projects. The Argon features built-in charging circuitry, allowing easy integration with a Li-Po battery. With 20 mixed signal GPIOs, it can interface seamlessly with sensors, actuators, and other electronics, making it an excellent choice for developing connected devices.

Features:

• Connectivity

  • Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n): Enables internet access and communication with cloud services or other devices over Wi-Fi.
  • Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE): Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) supports short-range communication with smartphones, tablets, and other BLE devices.
  • Mesh Networking: Allows Argon to participate in a local mesh network using the Thread protocol, enabling communication with other Particle devices without Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

• Processor

  • Nordic nRF52840: Powered by a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F microcontroller running at 64 MHz, providing ample processing power for IoT applications.

• Memory

  • RAM: 256 KB of SRAM, sufficient for running embedded applications and handling data processing tasks.
  • Flash Storage: 1 MB of flash memory for storing firmware, data, and applications.

• Expansion and Peripherals

  • GPIO Pins: Includes digital and analog GPIO (General-Purpose Input/Output) pins for interfacing with sensors, actuators, and peripherals.
  • I2C, SPI, UART: Supports common communication protocols like I2C, SPI, and UART for interfacing with various sensors and modules.
  • PWM and ADC: Provides Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Analog-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) capabilities for controlling motors, LEDs, and reading analog sensors.

• Power

  • Power Input: it can be powered via USB (5V) or through a dedicated Li-Po battery connector, offering flexibility for development and deployment.
  • Low Power Mode: Includes low-power modes to conserve energy, especially useful for battery-operated IoT devices.

• Security

  • Crypto Accelerator: Features a hardware cryptographic accelerator for secure communication and data protection.
  • Built-in Secure Element: Contains a secure element for storing cryptographic keys, adding an extra layer of security.

• Cloud Integration

  • Particle Cloud: Seamlessly integrates with Particle Cloud, supporting remote device management, firmware updates, and data logging for IoT applications.

• Development and Support

  • Particle Device OS: Runs on Particle Device OS, an open-source, real-time operating system designed for IoT applications.
  • Particle Workbench: Supported by Particle Workbench, an IDE based on Visual Studio Code, providing tools for coding, debugging, and deployment.
  • Extensive Documentation and Community Support: Backed by comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and a community forum to assist developers.

• Physical Dimensions

  • Compact Size: Small and compact, making it ideal for embedding into various projects and products.

Hardware Specifications

• Main Processor

  • Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 SoC
  • ARM Cortex-M4F 32-bit processor @ 64MHz
  • Memory: 1MB flash memory, 256KB RAM
  • Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Central and peripheral support
  • GPIOs: 20 mixed signal GPIOs (6 analog, 8 PWM), UART, I2C, SPI interfaces
  • Additional Features: Supports DSP instructions, hardware-accelerated Floating Point Unit (FPU), and encryption functions
  • Transmit Power: Adjustable from +8 dBm to -20 dBm in 4 dB steps
  • NFC-A Radio

• Wi-Fi Network Coprocessor

  • Espressif ESP32-D0WD: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi coprocessor
  • Memory: 4MB onboard flash memory
  • Wi-Fi Standards: Supports 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz) with speeds up to 150 Mbps

• Board Specifications

  • Additional Memory: 4MB SPI flash onboard
  • Micro USB 2.0 Interface: Full-speed (12 Mbps)
  • Battery Support: Integrated Li-Po battery charging and connector
  • Debugging: JTAG (SWD) connector
  • Visual Feedback: RGB status LED
  • Control Buttons: Reset and Mode buttons
  • Antenna: Onboard 2.4GHz PCB antenna for Bluetooth (no Wi-Fi support)
  • External Antennas: Two U.FL connectors (one for Bluetooth, one for Wi-Fi)
  • Feather Specification: Meets Feather standards for dimensions and pinout
  • Certifications: Certified by FCC (United States), CE (European Union), and ISED (Canada)
  • Compliance: RoHS compliant (lead-free)

Pinout:

More in-depth schematic:

Applications:

• IoT Devices: Ideal for creating connected devices that interact with the cloud for data collection, monitoring, and control (e.g., smart home automation, industrial monitoring).
• Wearable Technology: With its small size, Bluetooth support, and low power consumption, the board is suited for wearable devices like fitness trackers and health monitors.
• Sensor Networks: The ability to connect multiple sensors via GPIO, I2C, and SPI interfaces makes it perfect for building sensor-based systems, such as environmental monitoring or smart agriculture.
• Mesh Networking: The board’s mesh networking capability allows it to participate in local networks of IoT devices, which can be useful in large installations like smart cities or industrial automation.
• Prototyping and Development: The board’s compatibility with Particle Cloud and support for Particle Workbench make it suitable for prototyping and developing connected applications quickly.
• Robotics and Drones: With its PWM and GPIO capabilities, it can control motors, servos, and other actuators, making it suitable for robotics and drone applications.
• Security Systems: The board’s secure communication and hardware-based cryptographic features make it a good choice for building secure access control and surveillance systems.
• Health Monitoring Systems: The low energy Bluetooth (BLE) and onboard sensors can be integrated into healthcare solutions for patient monitoring and telemedicine applications.
• Energy Management Systems: With its low power mode and mesh networking, it can be used to monitor and control energy consumption in smart grid or building energy management systems.

Resources:

• Hardware files on GitHub
• Datasheet
• Certification information

Package Includes:

• Particle Argon Board
• External Antenna (for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth)
• Micro-USB Cable (for power and programming)
• Breadboard
• Basic Components (e.g., resistors, LEDs)