Arduino MKR – the perfect solution (not only) for IoT projects
The MKR family is strongly oriented towards wireless technologies, which are indispensable for IoT (Internet of Things) projects. What is more, the MKR series has been enriched with two boards: MKR WiFi 1010 and MKR NB 1500. But every board of MKR family is really technological intriguing…
Arduino MKR boards are an excellent tool for rapid prototyping of IoT projects, both for hobbyists and professionals in electronics and programming.
What makes MKR boards different from standard Arduino Uno boards is their significantly smaller size.. The dimensions of the Arduino MKR tiles are 45mm x 18mm. All MKR boards have the same number of I / O ports - 22. 12 binary outputs allow PWM signal generation, while 7 separate pins are analog inputs. In addition, the board also has one analog output, so you can connect all necessary input and output devices.
One of the most important advantages of Arduino MKR boards is their built-in wireless connectivity in several ways. This advantage is important because it opens up many possibilities for you in the field of creating remote cooperation between control and executive devices. Integration between components has never been easier. See for yourself!
Arduino MKR series – wide communications possibilities and technological advancement
Arduino tiles from the MKR series are a real technological revolution. There is a reason why they are so loved by programmable electronics enthusiasts.
All Arduino MKR boards are based on the modern SAMD21 Cortex M0 with 32-bit microcontroller. The heart (core) of the Arduino MKR is clocked at 48MHz. A very precise real-time clock with a frequency of 32.768 kHz has been implemented in the processor. Another important parameter is modern SRAM memory. In this case, we have 32kB memory and 256kB FLASH memory.
Most Arduino MKR tiles offered by Botland store have built-in WiFi and GSM communication modules. Thanks to the communication channels it is possible to integrate the Arduino board with other devices. Products can establish communication within the selected IoT technology network, LoRa narrowband network, as well as SigFox.
Although Arduino MKR tiles are smaller in size compared to Arduino Uno tiles, they still meet compatibility with hardware extensions such as Arduino Shield overlays. Connecting external Arduino Shield overlays to the Arduino MKR claims a range of functionalities depending on the chosen board. It will be possible to make connections between devices cooperating via Ethernet and CAN networks. You can also expand your project with more advanced I / O modules, expanders, motor control and much more!
Arduino MKR – a lot of possibilities for advanced projects
Unlike standard Arduino motherboards, products such as the MKR 485 board give the user the ability to send information via the RS-485 serial protocol. These are innovative and advanced devices, so you will need more knowledge to know their full capabilities (by the way, also check out our Arduino books in Botland!). On the other hand, the products still have the same feature as the other – they are very intuitive!
If you are wondering what board from the Arduino MKR series to choose, check out the Arduino MKR Vidor4000. This is the first Arduino board equipped with FPGA. The implemented matrix of logic gates makes it possible to program the device specifically for your application.
In turn, the MKR1000 board enables connectivity via WiFi using the WINC1500 chip working in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 b / g / n standard. Provides data throughput of 72Mb / s. In turn, using the MKR GSM 1400 board based on the popular SARAU201 module you will be able to make phone calls in the GSM standard. So build a robot that will perform the functions of your phone!
MKR Zero will be an excellent choice for those who already have experience with the Arduino Uno board based on an 8-bit microcontroller. It is a 32-bit microcontroller with a built-in I2C serial interface, UART, SPI, a microSD card slot and a USB connector for communication with a computer. A good choice will also be the purchase of the MKR FOX 1200 board, which can be used to design devices that communicate via the SigFox network.
