Whether you’re creating musical instruments, drone cameras, or home automation projects – one common aim is to make a circuit smaller, neater, or cheaper. Makers often use Arduino because of its brilliantly easy upload process, but later find its size a little unwieldy for finished projects. Using the 328BootloadHat, you can replace the Arduino in any circuit with a single ATMEGA328 chip!
This clever PCB accessory will cut down the time it takes to bootload the ATMEGA328 chip, allowing you to shrink your projects fast! An ATMEGA328 chip controls the Arduino Uno and Nano which can completely replace the Arduino’s functions when paired with a few very cheap components; namely capacitors, resistors, and a crystal oscillator. Switching the Arduino with this chip allows you to create numerous fully-functional projects without being tied down to multiple Arduinos. Now you can choose how many drones or LED cubes you actually need!
The 328BootloadHat lets you upload this bootloader to any DIP (drop-in-place) ATMEGA328 chip and replace the Arduino Nano or Uno in your projects. Its cleverly designed PCB and simple setup sit perfectly on top of either a Nano or an Uno, enabling you to upload the bootloader via USB and get straight onto building!
It’s available as open-source hardware and so is open to tweaks and modifications. The maker recommends using a zero-insertion-force socket to create the most hardwearing and long-lasting bootloading shield! You’ll find assembly instructions here.
AutumnHippo is an independent company based in Kolding, Denmark, who sell a few other innovative technology products on Tindie. Their PCB projects are both exciting, and excellent soldering practice! Why not check out their Joystick Tester?
