Pro Mini USB Connections

Development Boards Arduino
1

Hi,

Sorry in advance as this has got to be in a FAQ somewhere but I’ve poked around a little and want to make sure I have the right parts in my order.

I’ve been using the Arduino UNO for a while now and want to create an Arduino project and leave the board in it permanently. Seems like the low cost and small size make the pro mini a good choice. Only thing I’m a bit fuzzy on what parts I’ll need to program it via USB. I understand it’s the FTDI cable or breakout board. My question is simply which Sparkfun part numbers do I need to program the pro mini and if there are a couple of options (like either the cable or the breakout board) which one would be recommended or what would be the pros and cons of either route.

If there’s a FAQ somewhere that already answers this feel free to point me there.

Thanks!

Alex

2

I was wondering about this too. I would like to use the pro mini and was wondering how people typically program it since it has no connectors built into it. What is the typical way to connect the FTDI module to the mini to program it?

Thanks,

Brian

3

This is the exact part you need to use:

For the 5 volt version of the Pro Mini:

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9716

For the 3.3 volt version:

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9873

Word of note: The 3.3v version uses an internal regulator on the chip on the breakout, it can’t supply more than 50mA. More than enough for the Pro Mini, but some 3.3v breakouts (Like radio or GPS units) will not be sufficiently powered.

As to the connector, just solder any 6 pin header strip to the 6 pins on the top of the board. I go angled or straight, depending on how the mini is installed.

(edit) Oh! I have a picture of a mini with the connection header on:

http://roboticcore.com/?p=73

Scrol down and look at the test Arduino, it’s a 3.3v Pro Mini with a 6 pin angle header soldered to the FTDI strip at the top of the board. The top of the board is to the left in the picture.

4

TeslaFan:
For the 5 volt version of the Pro Mini:

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9716

For the 3.3 volt version:

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9873

Word of note: The 3.3v version uses an internal regulator on the chip on the breakout, it can’t supply more than 50mA. More than enough for the Pro Mini, but some 3.3v breakouts (Like radio or GPS units) will not be sufficiently powered.

I personally prefer the pre-built FTDI cables:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea … 68-1015-ND

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea … 68-1028-ND

They make versions that supply higher current, but they don’t have pre-installed connectors:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea … &x=24&y=22

5

Awesome, thanks for the tips. I guess something like this is what you need to solder to the mini first in order to connect a cable or FTDI

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/9015

6

Use the through hole ones, like:

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/553

I use these all the time, you just break off the number of pins you need.

7

Perfect, thanks!

8

My two cents is that you do not want the 6-pin male header hanging off your pro-mini board shorting out or getting all bent out of shape. so put a female 6-pin on the end of the pro-mini. Bend it over so it looks like a FTDI Basic Breakout with its female header.

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/115

Then with another 6-pin female on your ftdi cable or ftdi board you can mate them together with a long 6-pin double-ended male.

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10158

-ben