Mega 2560 R3 CH340 Development Board with USB Cable – Arduino-Compatible – Support Documentation
The Mega 2560 R3 CH340 is a cost-effective, Arduino-compatible development board based on the ATmega2560 microcontroller. It offers extensive I/O capabilities, making it ideal for complex projects requiring multiple sensors, actuators, and communication interfaces. The inclusion of the CH340G USB-to-Serial converter provides reliable USB connectivity for programming and serial communication.
Key Features
- Microcontroller: ATmega2560
- USB-to-Serial Converter: CH340G
- Operating Voltage: 5V
- Input Voltage (recommended): 7-12V
- Input Voltage (limits): 6-20V
- Digital I/O Pins: 54 (15 PWM outputs)
- Analog Input Pins: 16
- UARTs: 4 (Serial ports)
- Clock Speed: 16 MHz
- Flash Memory: 256 KB (8 KB used by bootloader)
- SRAM: 8 KB
- EEPROM: 4 KB
- Dimensions: 101.52mm x 53.3mm
- USB Connector: Type-B
Pin Descriptions
| Pin | Function | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Digital 0 (RX0) | Digital I/O | Serial Receive (UART0) |
| Digital 1 (TX0) | Digital I/O | Serial Transmit (UART0) |
| Digital 2-13 | Digital I/O | General Purpose Digital I/O |
| Digital 14-21 | Digital I/O | Serial Communication (UART1-3) |
| Digital 22-53 | Digital I/O | General Purpose Digital I/O |
| PWM Pins | PWM Output | Digital Pins 2-13 and 44-46 |
| Analog 0-15 | Analog Input | 10-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter |
| AREF | Analog Reference | Reference voltage for analog inputs |
| GND | Power | Ground |
| Vin | Power Input | Unregulated input voltage (6-20V) |
| 5V | Power Output | Regulated 5V output |
| 3.3V | Power Output | Regulated 3.3V output (50 mA max) |
| Reset | Reset | Reset the microcontroller |
Powering the Board
- USB Power: Connect via the USB Type-B port for 5V regulated power.
- Barrel Jack: Supply 7-12V through the DC power jack.
- Vin Pin: Provide 6-20V directly to the Vin pin.
Programming the Board
The Mega 2560 R3 CH340 can be programmed using the Arduino IDE:
- Connect the board to your computer using a USB Type-B cable.
- Install the CH340G USB driver if not already installed.
- Open the Arduino IDE.
- Go to Tools > Board and select “Arduino Mega or Mega 2560”.
- Select the appropriate Processor (usually “ATmega2560 (Mega 2560)”).
- Choose the correct COM port under Tools > Port.
- Write your sketch and click the Upload button.
Troubleshooting
- Board not recognized by computer: Ensure the CH340G driver is installed correctly. Try a different USB cable or port.
- Sketch not uploading: Verify the correct board and port are selected in the Arduino IDE. Press the reset button before uploading if necessary.
- Board not powering on: Check power connections and ensure the input voltage is within the specified range.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Mega 2560 R3 CH340 compatible with Arduino shields?
- Yes, it maintains the same form factor and pinout as the official Arduino Mega 2560, ensuring compatibility with most shields.
- Do I need to install drivers to use the CH340G USB interface?
- Yes, the CH340G requires drivers to be installed on your computer. These are typically available from the manufacturer’s website.
- Can I power the board with a battery?
- Yes, you can use a 9V battery connected to the barrel jack or Vin pin. Ensure the battery provides sufficient current for your application.
Additional Notes
- The CH340G USB-to-Serial converter provides a cost-effective alternative to the ATmega16U2 used in official Arduino boards.
- Ensure that the total current draw from the 5V and 3.3V pins does not exceed their maximum ratings (800 mA for 5V, 50 mA for 3.3V).
- When using the analog inputs, the reference voltage can be set using the AREF pin for more accurate readings.