Arduino

Arduino Nano Comparison with Arduino Uno

Arduino Nano and Arduino Uno are two popular microcontroller boards that are widely used in DIY electronics projects and prototypes. While they are both part of the Arduino family and share many similarities, they also have some notable differences that make them better suited for certain types of projects.

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Introduction to Arduino Nano

Arduino Nano is a compact microcontroller board that is widely used in DIY electronics projects and prototypes. Arduino Nano uses the Atmega328 microcontroller for processing instructions. It is the smaller variant of the Arduino Uno board.

Arduino Nano has the advantage of compact size. It is much smaller and more compact than the Arduino Uno, making it ideal for projects where space is a limiting factor. Additionally, it is lighter which makes it a good choice for portable projects.

Another advantage of the Arduino Nano is its versatility. It has a range of connectors and pins that allow it to interact with a variety of sensors, actuators, and other components, making it easy to build complex projects with minimal effort. It is also compatible with a wide range of programming languages, including C++ and Python, which makes it easy to integrate into a variety of different projects.

Introduction to Arduino Uno

Arduino Uno is a microcontroller board that is widely used in DIY electronics projects and prototypes. It is based on the Atmel Atmega328P microcontroller and has a range of features that make it easy to use and versatile.

Arduino Uno is famous for its simplicity. It is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to people with little to no programming experience. Arduino Uno has extensive support available online.

Arduino Uno has a number of different pins that can interface multiple sensors. Arduino Uno uses two microcontrollers. Atmega328P is the main brain which processes instructions and Atmega16U2 is the USB to serial communication interface which helps Arduino UNO to communicate serially with PC and external hardware.

Comparison between Arduino Nano and Uno

Both Arduino Nano and Arduino Uno have similarities in some way however there are few differences between them. Following is a brief comparison of both Nano and Uno boards.

Size

Size is the major difference between Nano and Uno. The Nano is smaller and more compact, making it ideal for projects where space is a limiting factor. On the other hand, the Uno is larger and has more connectors and pins, which makes it more suitable for projects that require a lot of inputs and outputs.

Processor

Another difference is the processor used in each board. The Nano uses an Atmel Atmega328 microcontroller, while the Uno uses an Atmega328P. While both processors are similar, the P version of the Atmega328 has a few additional features such as hardware serial communication, which can be useful in certain situations.

Power Sources

In terms of power, the Nano can be powered through a USB connection or an external power source, while the Uno can only be powered through an external power source. This means that the Nano is more versatile in terms of how it can be powered, making it a better choice for projects that need to be portable or where a power outlet may not be readily available.

Memory

One major advantage of the Arduino Uno over the Nano is the availability of more memory. The Uno has 32 KB of flash memory, while the Nano has only half that amount at 16 KB. This can be a significant factor for projects that require a lot of programming or data storage.

Communication Protocol

In terms of connectivity, both boards have a similar number of input/output pins and support various communication protocols such as I2C and SPI. However, the Uno has more connectors and pins overall, which can be useful for projects that require a lot of inputs and outputs.

Feature Arduino Nano Arduino Uno
Processor Atmel Atmega328 Atmel Atmega328P
Flash Memory 32 KB 32 KB
SRAM Memory 2 KB 2 KB
EEPROM Memory 1 KB 1 KB
Clock Speed 16 MHz 16 MHz
Operating Voltage 5V 5V
Digital Input/Outputs 22 (6 of which are PWM) 14 (6 of which are PWM)
Analog Pins 8 6
Input Voltage 7-12V 6-20V
DC Current per I/O 40mA 20mA
Communication Protocols UART, I2C, SPI UART, I2C, SPI
Power USB, External VIN USB, DC Barrel jack, External VIN
Size 18 x 45 mm 68 x 53 mm
Weight 7g 25g

In conclusion, both the Arduino Nano and Arduino Uno are excellent choices for DIY electronics projects and prototypes. The Nano is smaller and more portable, while the Uno has more memory and connectors.

The Nano has a smaller processor and less flash memory, but it is also smaller and lighter than the Uno. The Uno has more analog input pins and is powered only by an external source, while the Nano can be powered through a USB connection or an external source.

A project’s specific requirements and constraints will determine which board is best for it.

Conclusion

Arduino Nano is a compact version of Uno. There are some slight differences between them. Both have a number of GPIO pins to interface the sensor. In this article we covered a brief comparison between both these boards. For more details read the article.

About the author

Kashif

I am an Electrical Engineer. I love to write about electronics. I am passionate about writing and sharing new ideas related to emerging technologies in the field of electronics.