MicroMod mikroBUS™ Carrier Board Hookup Guide

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Contributors: santaimpersonator, MAKIN-STUFF
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Introduction

Advanced Product: Novice users, may find the amount information contained in this tutorial somewhat daunting. This board is relatively complex and involves compatibility with three separate ecosystems and can be utilize two different development environments.

Introducing the our most versatile development board, the MicroMod mikroBUS™ Carrier Board! This new board takes advantage of the MicroMod, Qwiic, and the mikroBUS™ ecosystems and allows users to take advantage of the growing number of 7 MicroMod processor boards, 83 Qwiic (add-on) boards, and 1079 available Click boards™ (as of September 2021), which equates to +51M different board combinations.

SparkFun MicroMod mikroBUS Carrier Board

DEV-18710

The mikroBUS™ standard was developed by MikroElektronika. Similar to our Qwiic and MicroMod interfaces, mikroBUS™ provides a standardized connection for add-on Click boards™ to be hooked up to a microcontroller based development board.

Image source: https://www.mikroe.com/1000-click-boards

For more details, check out their blog post on the 1000th Click board™ and the origins of the mikroBUS™ standard and mikroBUS™ standard specifications.

Required Materials

To get started, users will need a few of items listed below. (You may already have a some of these items; read through the guide and modify your cart accordingly.)

MicroMod Processor Board

Like other MicroMod Carrier Boards, a Processor Board is required for the product to operate. Users will need a Processor Board (of their choice) to attach to the MicroMod M.2 connector; since, one is not included with this product. Below, are few options; however, we recommend the STM32 processor board. Currently, it is the only processor board supported by Necto Studio and the Arduino IDE.

SparkFun MicroMod STM32 Processor

SparkFun MicroMod STM32 Processor

DEV-17713
$16.50
SparkFun MicroMod SAMD51 Processor

SparkFun MicroMod SAMD51 Processor

DEV-16791
$18.95
1
SparkFun MicroMod nRF52840 Processor

SparkFun MicroMod nRF52840 Processor

WRL-16984
$21.50
SparkFun MicroMod STM32 Processor

SparkFun MicroMod STM32 Processor

DEV-17713
$16.50
SparkFun MicroMod mikroBUS Starter Kit

SparkFun MicroMod mikroBUS Starter Kit

KIT-19935
$79.95 $59.95

Required Hardware

A Phillips screw driver is necessary to attach the Processor board to the Carrier Board.

MicroMod Screwdriver

MicroMod Screwdriver

TOL-19012
$0.50

SparkFun MicroMod mikroBUS Carrier Board

DEV-18710
JTAG Programming

To program the STM32 processor board (recommended) through Necto Studio (preferred), users will need a JTAG programmer. Below are programmers that are compatible with the Necto Studio software.

Apple Mac/Linux: Users with a Mac or Linux OS, should purchase the CODEGRIP programmer. The mikroProg is only compatible with Windows PCs.

MIKROE mikroProg for STM32

PGM-19104
Retired

MIKROE CODEGRIP for STM32

PGM-19105
Retired

Users will also need some soldering equipment and a JTAG header to connect the programmer to the board. Additionally, with the (recommended) programmers, an adapter is needed to convert the .1" (100 mil) header spacing of the programmer's cable to the .05" (50 mil) header spacing of the JTAG pins on the MicroMod mikroBUS™ carrier board.

Note: Users should verify that the pinout for the programmer and adapter match up to the corresponding pins of the MicroMod mikroBUS™ carrier board to avoid damaging the MCU.
Solder Lead Free - 100-gram Spool

Solder Lead Free - 100-gram Spool

TOL-09325
$9.95
8
Chip Quik No-Clean Flux Pen  - 10mL

Chip Quik No-Clean Flux Pen - 10mL

TOL-14579
$7.95
4
Header - 2x5 Pin (Male, 1.27mm)

Header - 2x5 Pin (Male, 1.27mm)

PRT-15362
$1.75
Header - 2x5 Pin (Female, 1.27mm)

Header - 2x5 Pin (Female, 1.27mm)

PRT-15363
$1.75

Weller WLC100 Soldering Station

TOL-14228
2 Retired

MIKROE 50-100mil Adapter

PGM-19220
Retired
USB Programming

To program a MicroMod processor through the Arduino IDE (not the preferred method), a USB-C cable is needed to connect the Carrier Board to a computer.

USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot

USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot

CAB-14743
$5.50
4
Click Board™

We recommend purchasing a Click board™ to utilize the mikroBUS™ socket. Feel free to choose from any of the available Click boards™ in our catalog. Below are a few options.

Note: If users intend to use the Arduino IDE, we recommend that novice users select a Click board™ that is supported with an Arduino library. Otherwise, users will have difficulties programming their board to utilize the associated Click board™.
TIMI-MB

TIMI-MB

LCD-19253
$29.95 $25.95
TIMI to MikroBUS Adapter

TIMI to MikroBUS Adapter

DEV-19257
$9.95
SparkFun MicroMod mikroBUS Starter Kit

SparkFun MicroMod mikroBUS Starter Kit

KIT-19935
$79.95 $59.95
SparkFun RP2040 mikroBUS Starter Kit

SparkFun RP2040 mikroBUS Starter Kit

KIT-19936
$54.95 $39.95

Note: If users intend to use Click board™, with code that requires a serial data output, there are no serial pins broken out on the board besides the mikroBUS™ socket. Therefore, it is recommended that users also purchase the MIKROE Terminal Click, a 3.3V serial-to-UART adapter, jumper wires, and corresponding USB cable to access the serial data pins from the mikroBUS™ socket. Below, are a few options from our catalog:


SparkFun Serial Basic Breakout - CH340C and USB-C

SparkFun Serial Basic Breakout - CH340C and USB-C

DEV-15096
$9.95
9
SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout - 3.3V

SparkFun FTDI Basic Breakout - 3.3V

DEV-09873
$16.95
66
SparkFun Serial Basic Breakout - CH340G

SparkFun Serial Basic Breakout - CH340G

DEV-14050
$8.95
7

MIKROE Terminal Click

DEV-18961
Retired
Jumper Wires Premium 6" M/F Pack of 10

Jumper Wires Premium 6" M/F Pack of 10

PRT-09140
$4.50
1
USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot

USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot

CAB-14743
$5.50
4
USB Micro-B Cable - 6"

USB Micro-B Cable - 6"

CAB-13244
$2.10
3
USB Mini-B Cable - 6"

USB Mini-B Cable - 6"

CAB-13243
$2.10
4

Optional Hardware

To connect Qwiic breakout boards for your MicroMod project, Qwiic cables are required.

Note: If users intend to use Necto Studio, we recommend that novice users select Qwiic products that are supported with a MIKROE library. Otherwise, users will have difficulties programming their board to utilize the associated Qwiic board.

SparkFun GPS Breakout - NEO-M9N, U.FL (Qwiic)

SparkFun GPS Breakout - NEO-M9N, U.FL (Qwiic)

GPS-15712
$69.95
5
SparkFun Qwiic Mini ToF Imager - VL53L5CX

SparkFun Qwiic Mini ToF Imager - VL53L5CX

SEN-19013
$25.50
1
SparkFun Environmental Sensor Breakout - BME680 (Qwiic)

SparkFun Environmental Sensor Breakout - BME680 (Qwiic)

SEN-16466
$18.95
3

SparkFun Micro OLED Breakout (Qwiic)

LCD-14532
7 Retired
SparkFun Qwiic Cable Kit

SparkFun Qwiic Cable Kit

KIT-15081
$8.95
22
Qwiic Cable - Grove Adapter (100mm)

Qwiic Cable - Grove Adapter (100mm)

PRT-15109
$1.60
Flexible Qwiic Cable - 200mm

Flexible Qwiic Cable - 200mm

PRT-17258
$1.60
Flexible Qwiic Cable - Female Jumper (4-pin, Heat Shrink)

Flexible Qwiic Cable - Female Jumper (4-pin, Heat Shrink)

CAB-22726
$1.60

A single-cell Lithium-ion battery can be connected to the Qwiic Carrier Board for portability.

Lithium Ion Battery - 400mAh

Lithium Ion Battery - 400mAh

PRT-13851
$5.50
11
Lithium Ion Battery - 2Ah

Lithium Ion Battery - 2Ah

PRT-13855
$13.95
9
Lithium Ion Battery - 110mAh

Lithium Ion Battery - 110mAh

PRT-13853
$5.50
4

Lithium Ion Battery - 1Ah

PRT-13813
8 Retired

To modify the jumpers, users will need soldering equipment and/or a knife.

Hobby Knife

Hobby Knife

TOL-09200
$3.50
2

Suggested Reading

The MicroMod ecosystem is a unique way to allow users to customize their project to their needs. The Qwiic connect system is a simple method for interfacing with I2C devices. The mikroBUS™ socket is a standardized interface for the MIKROE Click boards™. Click on the banners below for more information on each ecosystem.

MicroMod Logo

Qwiic Logo

mikroBUS Logo


For users who aren't familiar with the following concepts, we also recommend reading the following tutorials before continuing.

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!

Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

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

Pulse Width Modulation

An introduction to the concept of Pulse Width Modulation.

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.

Analog vs. Digital

This tutorial covers the concept of analog and digital signals, as they relate to electronics.

Processor Interrupts with Arduino

What is an interrupt? In a nutshell, there is a method by which a processor can execute its normal program while continuously monitoring for some kind of event, or interrupt. There are two types of interrupts: hardware and software interrupts. For the purposes of this tutorial, we will focus on hardware interrupts.

Getting Started with MicroMod

Dive into the world of MicroMod - a compact interface to connect a microcontroller to various peripherals via the M.2 Connector!

Designing with MicroMod

This tutorial will walk you through the specs of the MicroMod processor and carrier board as well as the basics of incorporating the MicroMod form factor into your own PCB designs!

MicroMod STM32 Processor Hookup Guide

Get started with the MicroMod Ecosystem and the STM32 Processor Board!

Getting Started with Necto Studio

Necto Studio is a user friendly development environment for users looking to get started with MikroElektronika's MIKROE products.

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.

Installing Arduino IDE

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

ARM Programming

How to program SAMD21 or SAMD51 boards (or other ARM processors).

Installing Board Definitions in the Arduino IDE

How do I install a custom Arduino board/core? It's easy! This tutorial will go over how to install an Arduino board definition using the Arduino Board Manager. We will also go over manually installing third-party cores, such as the board definitions required for many of the SparkFun development boards.