Arduino Industrial 101: The Robust ATmega1284P Workhorse
A powerful Arduino board built around the ATmega1284P, offering more memory and I/O for industrial and complex projects.
The Arduino Industrial 101 is a less common but capable board in the Arduino family, released around 2015. It distinguishes itself by utilizing the ATmega1284P microcontroller, a significant upgrade over the ATmega328P found in popular boards like the Arduino Uno. This upgrade provides double the Flash memory and four times the SRAM, making it suitable for more complex sketches and applications that require more data storage or larger program sizes.
At the heart of the Industrial 101 is the Atmel ATmega1284P, a 8-bit AVR RISC-based microcontroller. It boasts 128KB of Flash memory for program storage, 16KB of SRAM for variables, and 4KB of EEPROM for non-volatile data storage. This generous memory allocation allows for more sophisticated algorithms, data logging, and the use of larger libraries without hitting memory constraints, a common issue with smaller Arduinos.
Designed with robustness and industrial applications in mind, the Industrial 101 often features a more durable form factor and connector options compared to typical hobbyist boards. While not as widely adopted as the Uno or Mega, it appeals to makers, students, and engineers who need the power and flexibility of the ATmega1284P in a familiar Arduino environment. Its increased I/O count also makes it a good candidate for projects requiring many sensors or actuators.
The Industrial 101 is an excellent choice for projects that push the boundaries of typical Arduino capabilities. This includes data logging applications, control systems requiring many inputs and outputs, custom automation tasks, or even embedded web servers where program size and RAM usage are critical. Its compatibility with the Arduino IDE means a smooth transition for those already familiar with the platform.
Watch
Related video, embedded from YouTube.
Specifications
| Microcontroller / SoC | Atmel ATmega1284P |
| Architecture | 8-bit AVR RISC |
| Clock speed | 16 MHz |
| Flash / Storage | 128 KB |
| RAM / SRAM | 16 KB |
| Operating voltage | 5V |
| Digital I/O pins | 32 |
| Analog / ADC | 8 (10-bit) |
| PWM | 6 |
| Connectivity | UART, SPI, I2C |
| USB | None onboard (requires external programmer or serial adapter) |
| Power input | External power supply (7-12V recommended via barrel jack or VIN pin) |
| Dimensions | Standard Arduino Uno footprint (approx. 68.6mm x 53.3mm) |
Pinout & pin functions
| Pin | Function |
|---|---|
| GND | Ground |
| 5V | Regulated 5V output |
| 3.3V | Regulated 3.3V output |
| VIN | External power input |
| RESET | Reset button/pin |
| D0 (RX) | Digital I/O, UART RX |
| D1 (TX) | Digital I/O, UART TX |
| D2 | Digital I/O |
| D3 | Digital I/O, PWM |
| D4 | Digital I/O |
| D5 | Digital I/O, PWM |
| D6 | Digital I/O, PWM |
| D7 | Digital I/O |
| D8 | Digital I/O |
| D9 | Digital I/O, PWM |
| D10 (SS) | Digital I/O, SPI SS |
| D11 (MOSI) | Digital I/O, SPI MOSI |
| D12 (MISO) | Digital I/O, SPI MISO |
| D13 (SCK) | Digital I/O, SPI SCK |
| A0 | Analog Input, Digital I/O |
| A1 | Analog Input, Digital I/O |
| A2 | Analog Input, Digital I/O |
| A3 | Analog Input, Digital I/O |
| A4 (SDA) | Analog Input, Digital I/O, I2C SDA |
| A5 (SCL) | Analog Input, Digital I/O, I2C SCL |
| A6 | Analog Input, Digital I/O |
| A7 | Analog Input, Digital I/O |
| AREF | Analog Reference voltage |
| IOREF | I/O Reference voltage (typically 5V) |
Wiring & circuit basics
Powering the Arduino Industrial 101 requires careful consideration. It can be powered via the USB port (if using a programmer/adapter) or through the DC barrel jack or VIN pin. The recommended input voltage range is typically 7-12V, which is then regulated down to 5V by an onboard regulator. Ensure your power supply can provide sufficient current, especially if driving multiple components or motors; a 1A supply is a good starting point. Avoid exceeding the 12V limit to prevent damage to the regulator.
The Arduino Industrial 101 operates at a logic level of 5V. This means its digital pins HIGH state is 5V and LOW state is 0V. When interfacing with components that operate at different logic levels, such as 3.3V sensors or modules, a logic level shifter is necessary to prevent damage. Connecting a 5V-tolerant component directly to a 3.3V device's output might be fine, but connecting a 3.3V device's output to a 5V input without protection can lead to overvoltage and failure.
For a simple LED circuit, connect an LED's anode (longer leg) to a digital pin (e.g., D9) and its cathode (shorter leg) to one end of a current-limiting resistor (typically 220-330 ohms). Connect the other end of the resistor to a GND pin. This setup ensures the LED receives adequate current without exceeding the pin's current sinking capabilities. For an I2C sensor like a BME280, connect its VCC to the 5V pin, GND to a GND pin, SDA to pin A4 (or D14), and SCL to pin A5 (or D15).
Programming & getting started
The Arduino Industrial 101 is programmed using the familiar Arduino IDE. Due to the lack of onboard USB-to-serial conversion, you will need an external USB-to-TTL serial adapter (e.g., FTDI or CP2102 based) to upload code. Connect the adapter's TX pin to the Arduino's RX pin (D0), the adapter's RX pin to the Arduino's TX pin (D1), and the adapter's GND to a GND pin. Ensure the adapter is set to 5V logic level. Select the correct board (Arduino Uno or ATmega1284P based) and COM port in the IDE, then upload your sketch.
To upload your first program, open the Arduino IDE, select 'Arduino Uno' as the board type (as it shares the ATmega328P pinout and bootloader compatibility, though the ATmega1284P is more powerful), and choose the correct COM port. Write a simple 'Blink' sketch, modifying the pin number if necessary, and click the upload button. The external programmer will flash the code onto the ATmega1284P.