Pro Micro & Fio V3 Hookup Guide
jimblom Introduction
Welcome to the new frontier of Arduino-compatible boards, made possible by the ATmega32U4. No longer does your Arduino need to be harnessed by an FTDI Cable, or an ATmega8U2, or any chip who's sole purpose is acting as an intermediary between your Arduino and your computer.
Pro Micro
The SparkFun Pro Micro [ 3.3V/8MHz and 5V/16MHz ] is a really cool, little development board. It's an Arduino-compatible microcontroller, micro-sized, and it accomplishes with one single chip what old Arduino Unos, Duemilanoves, and Diecimeillas could never dream of: true USB functionality.
FioV3
This tutorial also covers the Fio v3, which works a lot like the Pro Micro but adds features like easy XBee interfacing and LiPo charging.
Covered In This Tutorial
This tutorial aims to introduce you to both the hardware and firmware sides of the Pro Micro (and Fio v3). We'll also dedicate a few pages to helping install the boards on Windows and Mac. Here's a summary of what will be covered:
- Hardware Overview: Pro Micro -- An overview of the pinout and hardware features of the Pro Micro.
- Hardware Overview: Fio v3 -- An overview of the pinout and hardware features of the Fio v3.
- Installing on Windows -- How to install the drivers and Arduino addon on Windows.
- Installing on Mac/Linux -- How to install the drivers and Arduino addon on Mac.
- Example 1: Blinkies -- A simple "Hello, world" sketch specifically suited to the Pro Micro and Fio v3.
- Example 2: HID Mouse and Keyboard -- An introduction to the HID USB capability of the Pro Micro. How to emulate USB keyboards and mice!
- Troubleshooting and FAQ -- Helpful troubleshooting tips and tricks for getting the most out of the Pro Micro.
Suggested Reading
Before delving into this tutorial, here are some concepts you should be familiar with. If you're not, consider checking out the related tutorial first.
- What is Arduino? -- An introduction to the Arduino platform and IDE.
- How to Install Arduino -- A general installation guide for Arduino.
- Serial Communication -- Serial is a great, easy-to-use communication protocol.