Arduino Shield Enables Click Board Integration

MikroElektronika has recently introduced a new mikroBUS Arduino shield designed to enhance the functionality of the Portenta board by providing access to a vast array of over 1600 Click board peripherals. This innovative Click shield for Arduino serves as a convenient solution for integrating the Arduino Portenta with a wide range of Click peripheral add-on boards. Equipped with two mikroBUS sockets, developers can seamlessly incorporate various functions, including sensors, communication modules, advanced audio processing, and motor control.

The Arduino Portenta boasts the capability to execute Arduino code and MicroPython simultaneously, offering robust connectivity options such as WiFi, BLE, and the choice of LoRa or cellular modules. Its modular design enhances adaptability for additional hardware components, making it well-suited for industrial applications in challenging environments like machinery, PLCs, and robotics. Moreover, the Portenta is capable of handling AI and machine learning applications, making it ideal for intelligent IoT designs.

MikroE, the company behind this groundbreaking development, has also launched an AI-enabled Embedded Wiki featuring over 1 million designs. According to Neb Matic, the CEO of MikroE, the Click shield provides an affordable and versatile platform for users to explore new concepts and create prototypes by leveraging the dual-core capabilities of the STM32H747 processor in the Portenta. These boards support various development environments and are particularly well-suited for high-performance industrial applications, combining low power consumption with advanced features like machine learning and IoT connectivity.

The Click Shield for Portenta incorporates several essential features to enhance the board's functionality and user experience. For instance, the Boot mode switch (BT SEL switch) allows users to configure the boot mode of the board, while a JTAG connector facilitates easy debugging and low-level debugging tasks or special firmware updates using an external programmer. Additionally, the shield's I2S pins are perfect for high-quality audio processing and streaming tasks on the Arduino Portenta, making it a valuable addition for developers working on advanced multimedia projects.

Furthermore, the Click Shield for Portenta includes three vital connectors that significantly expand the board's capabilities. The Ethernet connector enables the Portenta to establish internet connectivity via an Ethernet cable, enabling robust network interactions such as sending HTTP methods or communicating with other devices and APIs. With these enhancements, the Portenta board becomes even more versatile and powerful, opening up a world of possibilities for developers and innovators.