Getting Started with the Teensy

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Contributors: Toni_K, MTaylor
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Introduction

The Teensy line is a collection of microcontrollers from PJRC based around several different powerful ICs. This basic getting started guide will help you start using the Teensy that's best for your project.

Teensy Family

The Teensy 3.1, the Teensy++ 2.0, and the Teensy LC.

Required Materials

To follow along with this tutorial, you will need the following materials. You may not need everything though depending on what you have. Add it to your cart, read through the guide, and adjust the cart as necessary. You will need the appropriate USB cable for the Teensy board with which you are working. The following boards work with the micro-USB cable:

Teensy 4.1

Teensy 4.1

DEV-16771
$31.50
11
Teensy 4.0

Teensy 4.0

DEV-15583
$23.80
16
USB Micro-B Cable - 6 Foot

USB Micro-B Cable - 6 Foot

CAB-10215
$5.50
15

Teensy 3.6

DEV-14057
15 Retired

Teensy 3.5

DEV-14055
8 Retired

Teensy LC

DEV-13305
17 Retired

Teensy 3.2

DEV-13736
68 Retired

The Teensy++ 2.0 works with the mini-USB cable:

SparkFun USB Mini-B Cable - 6 Foot

SparkFun USB Mini-B Cable - 6 Foot

CAB-11301
$4.50
3

Teensy++ 2.0

DEV-11781
3 Retired

You will also need the appropriate headers for your project. There are several different options available. Below are a few common headers used with the boards.

Female Headers

Female Headers

PRT-00115
$1.75
8
Break Away Headers - Straight

Break Away Headers - Straight

PRT-00116
$1.75
20
Teensy Stackable Header Kit (Extended)

Teensy Stackable Header Kit (Extended)

PRT-17152
$1.75
Teensy Header Kit

Teensy Header Kit

PRT-13925
$1.50

Tools

You will need a soldering iron, solder, and general soldering accessories. We recommend the beginner Tool Kit for soldering any of the Teensy boards.

SparkFun Beginner Tool Kit

TOL-14681
Retired

Alternatively, if you are planning on doing a lot of intense soldering, you can also use the following wishlist as a guide.

Suggested Reading

If you aren't familiar with the following concepts, we recommend reading these articles first before continuing with this getting started guide.

How to Solder: Through-Hole Soldering

This tutorial covers everything you need to know about through-hole soldering.

Serial Communication

Asynchronous serial communication concepts: packets, signal levels, baud rates, UARTs and more!

Installing an Arduino Library

How do I install a custom Arduino library? It's easy! This tutorial will go over how to install an Arduino library using the Arduino Library Manager. For libraries not linked with the Arduino IDE, we will also go over manually installing an Arduino library.

Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

SPI is commonly used to connect microcontrollers to peripherals such as sensors, shift registers, and SD cards.

Installing Arduino IDE

A step-by-step guide to installing and testing the Arduino software on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Logic Levels

Learn the difference between 3.3V and 5V devices and logic levels.

I2C

An introduction to I2C, one of the main embedded communications protocols in use today.

Suggested Viewing

Check out some of the related videos.