How to use the Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA board step by step

Welcome back! In this tutorial, we will explore how to use the Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA board. For that, I used two simple examples. That’s LED blink and LED chaser. Also, I have described these examples step by step.

Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA

The Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA is a recent addition to the Arduino family, offering greater power and capabilities compared to the Arduino UNO R3 board. It is based on the 32-bit RA4M1 series microcontroller (R7FA4M1AB3CFM#AA0) from Renesas, featuring a 48 MHz Arm® Cortex®-M4 microprocessor. This significant upgrade results in a three-fold increase in speed compared to the Arduino UNO R3 board, which operates at a 16 MHz clock speed. Additionally, the Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA board boasts generous SRAM and Flash memory capacities.

The previous Arduino board was based on 8-bit AVR microcontrollers. But this Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA board is based on a 32-bit microcontroller. Finally, I want to say, that compared to other small microcontroller boards, this is the best board.

Let’s take a look at the features of this microcontroller:

• 256 kB flash / 32 kB SRAM / 8 kB data flash (EEPROM)
• Real-time Clock (RTC)
• 4x Direct Memory Access Controller (DMAC)
• up to 14-bit ADC
• up to 12-bit DAC
• OPAMP
• 1x CAN bus

With these advanced features, the Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA board empowers you to undertake more ambitious projects. Its user-friendly nature makes it suitable for beginners and hobbyists, while its capabilities make it a valuable tool in educational settings.

Key benefits of this board

• More memory and faster clock – With this benefit, we can handle more complex projects.
  • Motor control.
  • Data sensing.
  • Scientific equipment.
  • Network-connected projects.
• Compatibility with UNO R3 – we can use the existing shields and projects can be easily ported to the new board.
• New built-in peripherals – It includes 12-bit DAC, CAN BUS, and OP AMP
• USB-C® – We can use the USB type-C port to connect it to the computer
• SWD connector – We can use it for connecting the external debugger
• HID (Human Interface Device) device — It enables to simulate a mouse or keyboard when connected to a computer via a USB cable
• Larger voltage range – allowing power supplies up to 24V.

PIN diagram of this Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA board

Top specification of this board

• Microcontroller : Renesas RA4M1 (Arm® Cortex®-M4)
• Memory:  256 KB Flash / 32 KB SRAM
• Operating voltage: 5 V
• Input voltage: 6-24 V
• DC Current per I/O Pin: 8 mA
• Clock speed: 48 MHz
• Programming port: USB-C®
• Digital pins: 14
•  PWM: 6
• ADC: 6 (14-bit)
• DAC: 1 (12-bit)
• SPI: 1
• I2C: 1
• CAN: 1
• Width: 68.85 mm
• Length: 53.34 mm

OK, let’s do this project step by step. The required components are given below.

• Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA — Amazon / Our store
• LED x 6 — Amazon / Our store
• 100 ohm resistor x 6 — Amazon / Our store
• Breadboard x 1 — Amazon / Our store
• Jumper wires — Amazon / Our store

Disclosure: These Amazon links are Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Now identify these components.

Example one — LED blink

Step 1

First, place the LED on the breadboard and connect the resistor to the LED anode pin.

Step 2

Secondly, connect the LED to the Arduino board. For that, use the circuit diagram below.

Step 3

Thirdly, connect this Arduino board to the computer. For that, use the USB Type – C cable.

Step 4

Now, let’s install the Arduino R4 boards on the Arduino IDE. For that, follow the instructions below.

• First, open your Arduino IDE and go to preferences. And then, click the additional board manager URL button.

• Now, include the Arduino R4 Renesas Url.
• Windows —> http://downloads.arduino.cc/packages/package_renesas_index.json
• MacOS —>
  • http://downloads.arduino.cc/packages/package_renesas_index.json
  • http://downloads.arduino.cc/packages/package_staging_index.json

• Next, go to the board manager and search for “r4” on it. And then, install the boards.

OK, Arduino UNO R4 boards are ready for you.

Step 5

Now, write the simple LED blink code on the Arduino IDE.

• Code and circuit diagram — Download

void setup() {
  pinMode(13, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);
  delay(100);
  digitalWrite(13, LOW);
  delay(100);
}

• Next, select the board and port. After, click the update button.

Now, you can see the LED blinking.

Example two (LED chaser)

Step 1

First, assemble the LED chaser circuit on the breadboard. For that, use the circuit diagram below.

Step 2

Secondly, connect the Arduino UNO R4 board to the computer.

Step 3

Thirdly, copy and paste the following program into the Arduino IDE.

• Code and circuit diagram — Download

void setup() {
// Set the LED pins as the output pins
  for (byte a = 2; a <= 7; a++) {
    pinMode(a, OUTPUT);
  }

}
//Call the functions
void loop() {
  one(4);
  two(4);//VIP light pattern
  three(6);
  four(6);

}
//Pattern one
void one (byte y) {
  for (byte x = 0; x < y ; x++) {
    for (byte a = 2; a <= 7; a++) {
      digitalWrite(a, HIGH);
      delay(50);
      digitalWrite(a, LOW);
    }
    for (byte a = 7; a > 2; a--) {
      digitalWrite(a, HIGH);
      delay(50);
      digitalWrite(a, LOW);
    }
  }
}
//Pattern two
void two(byte y) {
  for (byte x = 0; x < y ; x++) {
    for (byte a = 0; a <= 4; a++) {
      digitalWrite(2, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(4, HIGH);
      delay(50);
      digitalWrite(2, LOW);
      digitalWrite(3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(4, LOW);
      delay(50);
    }
    for (byte a = 0; a <= 4; a++) {
      digitalWrite(5, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(6, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
      delay(50);
      digitalWrite(5, LOW);
      digitalWrite(6, LOW);
      digitalWrite(7, LOW);
      delay(50);
    }
  }
}
//Pattern three
void three(byte y) {
  for (byte x = 0; x <= y; x++ ) {
    digitalWrite(2, LOW);
    digitalWrite(3, LOW);
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    digitalWrite(5, LOW);
    digitalWrite(6, LOW);
    digitalWrite(7, LOW);
    delay(80);
    digitalWrite(2, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(3, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(6, HIGH);
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
    delay(80);
  }
}
//Pattern four
void four(byte y) {
  for (byte x = 0; x <= y; x++) {
    for (byte a = 2; a <= 7; a++) {
      digitalWrite(a, LOW);
      digitalWrite(a + 1, LOW);
      delay(50);
      digitalWrite(a, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(a - 1, HIGH);
    }
    for (byte a = 7; a > 2; a--) {
      digitalWrite(a, LOW);
      digitalWrite(a - 1, LOW);
      delay(50);
      digitalWrite(a, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(a - 1, HIGH);
    }
  }
}

• Now, select the board and port. And then, click the upload button.

Now, you can see the LED patterns. I have added four patterns. But you can change these codes as you like.

OK, enjoy this project. The full video guide is below. We hope to see you in the next project or tutorial.

How to use the Arduino UNO R4 MINIMA board step by step