TinyDuino

Each module in the TinyDuino family has been optimized to include only the core circuits for it’s specific function to keep the size as low as possible at the best possible price. The main TinyDuino processor board includes the core processor circuitry, however the USB and DC power regulators have been offloaded to TinyShields. So for example, if you have a project that doesn’t need support for DC power above 5 volts, you don’t need to include the Power TinyShield, saving you money and keep the overall size down. Or if you don’t need USB on your project, you’d only need one USB TinyShield that you’d use to program your boards

Just like on the standard Arduino platform, where you can add expansion shields to add more features, the TinyDuino allows expansion by using TinyShields. Whether you want to add communication capabilities (like Bluetooth, WiFi, USB), sensor readings, drive a display or run motors for your swarm of tiny robots – there is a shield for that. The TinyShield interface uses a low cost, very miniature connector that supports all of the signals (and a few spare) that are supported on the standard Arduino Shield connectors. And being so compact, the board to board stackup height is only 3mm, meaning even adding a few TinyShields will still allow for an extremely compact final product.

Being so small, you’d think you need to be an expert with a soldering iron to use these things, right? Not at all! We designed these boards to be extremely easy to be used by hobbyists to embed into your projects. There are multiple prototyping TinyShields available that you can use to interface to your project, including several that use the same 0.1″ spacing as used on the standard Arduino platform for shields. If you’re familiar with connecting up to an Arduino today, you’ll have no problem using using a TinyDuino.

Different strokes for different folks – each TinyDuino board is available as either a 20mm x 20mm square or 20mm circular board. The square version includes four mounting holes on each corner to allow firm support if you are mounting the board to something or need to firmly hold down the TinyShields (like in your tiny robots). The circular version is great when you need to get the smallest possible size – plus it looks cool.

Since each board has been optimized to exactly the amount of circuitry needed for it’s particular function – you don’t have to pay for circuitry that you are not using. Each of the TinyDuino boards have been specifically design to use high quality yet low cost components, to keep the final price to you as low as possible.

TinyCircuits proudly supports open source hardware and have released all the design files for the TinyDuino on our website. If you have a great idea for a TinyShield or similar Tiny project, you are free to design your own board derived from our design files. Alternatively, if you have a great idea for a board that everyone will love, let us know and you could get some Free Stuff!