here

NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
Future Technology
Devices International
Limited
Datasheet
NerO Module
1 Introduction
The Nero is a reference design for an energy
efficient Arduino UNO compatible board based on
the ATMEGA328 with the FTDI FT231X USBUART, capable of operating at 5V with a full 1A
while remaining cool to the touch
There are 3 type of modules for selection:



NerO-LP1, with 2.54mm pitch female header
with long shield pins
NerO-SP1, with 2.54mm pitch female header
with short shield pins
NerO-NP1, with spare shield pins but not
mounted.
(provide
long
shield
pins
externally.)
1.1 Features
 16MHz ATmega328 32-pin TQFP package
microcontroller.
 UNO R3 form factor
 14 Digital I/O Pins (6 PWM outputs)
 6 Analog Inputs
 FTDI FT231XS USB UART interface
 A Micro-B USB connects to PC connect or
provides power supply over USB for board.
 VIN Input voltage - 7V to 20V ( 9V or 12V
recommended )
 Hardware Reset button provided.
 5V Switching regulator with 1A output current
 CE and FCC certified
 Optiboot bootloader preloaded
 Arduino Software (IDE) and UNO library
compatible,
 Arduino shield compatible
 FTDI Shield available soon
N either the whole nor any part of the information contained in, or the product described in this manual, may be adapted or
reproduced in any material or elec tronic form without the prior written c onsent of the c opyright holder. T his product and its
doc umentation are s upplied on an as- is basis and no warranty as to their s uitability for any partic ular purpos e is either made or
implied. Future T ec hnology Devic es I nternational L td will not accept any claim for damages hows oever arising as a res ult of u se or
failure of this produc t. Y our statutory rights are not affected. T his produc t or any variant of it is not intended for us e in any
medical appliance, device or s ystem in whic h the failure of the produc t might reasonably be expected to res ult in pers onal in jury.
T his doc ument provides preliminary information that may be s ubject to c hange without notice. N o freedom to use patents or other
intellec tual property rights is implied by the publication of this doc ument. Future Tec hnology D evices I nternational L td, U ni t 1 , 2
Seaward P lac e, C enturion Business P ark, G lasgow G 4 1 1HH U nited Kingdom. Sc otland Registered C ompany N umber: SC 136640
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
1
NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
2 Ordering Information
Part No.
Description
NerO-LP1
Arduino UNO compatible board based on the FTDI FT231X USB UART
delivers 5V at a full 1A without overheating. Long shield pins.
NerO-SP1
Arduino UNO compatible board based on the FTDI FT231X USB UART
delivers 5V at a full 1A without overheating. Short shield pins.
NerO-NP1
Arduino UNO compatible board based on the FTDI FT231X USB UART
delivers 5V at a full 1A without overheating. Spare shield pins (not mounted
and provide long shield pins on the package.)
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
3 Program Support

The open-source Arduino Software (IDE) can be downloaded at Arduino website. Visit Arduino’s
website at https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Software for more information. The Arduino IDE
programming user guide gives the instruction of software development.

The programmer utility – In case to customize the module descriptions and other parameters,
FT_Prog
is
provided
for
FT231XS
by
FTDI.
Visit
FTDI’s
website
at
http://www.ftdichip.com/Support/Utilities.htm for more information.
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
Table of Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................. 1
1.1
Features ................................................................................ 1
2 Ordering Information .................................................... 2
3 Program Support .......................................................... 3
4 Board Layout ................................................................ 5
4.1
Power Supply......................................................................... 6
4.2
Micro-controller ..................................................................... 7
4.3
USB to Serial UART Converter ................................................. 8
4.4
External I/O Port ................................................................... 8
5 Devices Characteristics and Ratings............................. 11
5.1
Electrical Parameters ............................................................11
6 Board Schematic ......................................................... 12
7 Block Diagram ............................................................ 13
8 Mechanical Dimensions ............................................... 14
8.1
NerO PCB Dimensions ...........................................................14
9 Contact Information .................................................... 15
Appendix A – References ................................................. 16
Document References ...................................................................16
Acronyms and Abbreviations .........................................................16
AppendixB – List of Figures and Tables............................. 17
List of Tables ................................................................................17
List of Figures ...............................................................................17
Appendix C – Revision History.......................................... 18
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
4 Board Layout
The NerO development board is 68.535mm X 53.3mm two-layer printed circuit board with key
elements shown below:
Figure 1 - NerO Board Top View
Key Features:
1. Micro USB connector
2. Status and PWR LEDs moved to edge of PCB – and remain visible when a shield is placed on the
expansion connectors.
3. On-Off Switch for added user convenience
4. FTDI FT231X USB UART bridge (Note 1)
5. 5V Switching regulator vs LDO regulator (Note 2)
6. FCC/CE certified ( Note 3)
Note 1 - FT231X is one of the latest X-series family of USB UART solutions from FTDI. It has larger
communication buffers at a lower cost compared to our popular ubiquitous FT232R device.
FT231X has 3.3V output levels and 5V tolerant inputs . FTDI provide drivers for its USB bridge devices
across many platforms including certified drivers for Windows, including Windows 10.
Note 2 -The NerO Buck Switcher regulator is much more energy efficient than an LDO device
especially at higher Voltage inputs. It can supply a full 1A current at 5V without breaking sweat, or
anything else.
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
Great in all circumstances where external power is used - especially for designs with higher power
requirements such as driving displays/LEDs/ Wi-Fi etc. An excellent solution for 9V battery powered
solutions, automotive (12V) and POE designs as well.
Note 3 - NerO is FCC/CE certified as is the original UNO, and so is suitable for commercial
applications as well as hobbyist/maker projects
4.1
Power Supply
The NerO board provides alternative power supply sources with an On/Off Switch (SW1):
1. 9V or 12V DC supply, 2.1mm power DC Jack Connector CN2.
2. 5V over the USB cable connected to the Micro-B USB CN1 port.
The 9V or 12V option is recommended in designs using the NerO to supply power to Arduino shields

SW1 – On/Off Switch
Switch Mode
ON
DC

×
OFF
Table 1 - Switch Mode
USB

×
Once the power supply is connected and turned on, a Green LED power indicator will be turned on. When
the DC supply is on, the 5V Buck regulator will also be turned on, its 5V power output will serve the
module including peripherals of Atmega328P MCU and 3.3V fixed LDO. The 3.3V LDO will provide power
to the FT231X USB to UART bridge device.
Figure 2 - DC Power Supply
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
When a USB cable is inserted, the VBUS will supply the 5V to all the peripheral and 3.3V LDO .
Figure 3 - USB Power Supply
4.2
Micro-controller
The on-board Arduino controller is the Atmega328P 32-pin TQFP microcontroller from ATMEL’s 8-bit
Microcontroller family. This microcontroller runs at 16MHZ from a 5V power supply. For further details of
the Atmega328P Microcontroller, refer to the Atmega328P datasheet.
Figure 4 - Atmega328P Micro-controller
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
4.3
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
USB to Serial UART Converter
Loading firmware into the ARDUINO is done over USB via the FT231XS 20 Pin SSOP USB to serial UART
converter. For detail of the FT231XS, refer to the FT231XS datasheet. Two Status LED connected to the
FT231XS provide visual indication of RX/TX traffic on the device UART port.
LEDs
Colour
Description
TX
Yellow
Blinking – Transmitting
RX
Yellow
Blinking – Receiving
Table 2- LED Status
Figure 5 - FT231XS USB to Serial Converter
4.4
External I/O Port
There are 14 digital IO pins provided on CN5(1X 10 pins) and CN7(1X 8 pins), 2.54mm pitch female
header.
There are 6 Analog inputs provided on CN6(1X 6 pins), 2.54mm female header.
CN4(1X 8 pins) 2.54mm female header provide s access to supply or draw power to/from the board.
Table 3 - Pin Mapping of CN5 lists the entire pin mapping on CN5
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
Pin No
Pin Name
Description
1
SCL
I2C Serial Bus, clock line
2
SDA
I2C Serial Bus, data line
3
AREF
Analog Reference pin for ADC
4
GND
Ground
5
13
GPIO 13
6
12
GPIO 12
7
11
GPIO 11/ PWM
8
10
GPIO 10/ PWM
9
9
GPIO 9/ PWM
10
8
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
GPIO 8
Table 3 - Pin Mapping of CN5
Table 4 - Pin Mapping of CN7lists the entire pin mapping on CN7
Pin No
Pin Name
Description
1
7
GPIO 7
2
6
GPIO 6/ PWM
3
5
GPIO 5/ PWM
4
4
GPIO 4
5
3
GPIO 3/ PWM
6
2
GPIO 2
7
1
GPIO 1
8
0
GPIO 0
Table 4 - Pin Mapping of CN7
Table 5 - Pin Mapping of CN6 lists the entire pin mapping on CN6
Pin No
Pin Name
Description
1
A5
Analog input 5
2
A4
Analog input 4
3
A3
Analog input 3
4
A2
Analog input 2
5
A1
Analog input 1
6
A0
Analog input 0
Table 5 - Pin Mapping of CN6
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
Table 6 - Pin Mapping of CN4lists the entire pin mapping on CN4
Pin No
Pin Name
Description
1
-
-
2
5V
5V output
3
RST
Atmega328P Reset signal
4
3.3V
3.3V output
5
5V
5V output
6
GND
Ground
7
GND
Ground
8
VIN
DC supply input
Table 6 - Pin Mapping of CN4
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
5 Devices Characteristics and Ratings
5.1
Electrical Parameters
Parameter
Value
Unit
Storage Temperature
-65°C to 150°C
Degrees C
Conditions
Ambient Operating Temperature (Power
0°C to 75°C
Degrees C
Applied)
Table 7 - Temperature Parameter
DC Characteristics (Ambient Temperature = 0°C to +75°C)
Parameter
Description
Minimum
Typical
Maximum
Units
DC
DC power supply
6
9, 12
20
V
1
A
5.25
V
500
mA
3.6
V
50
mA
Idc
Max rating 5V
output rating to
connector
USB 5V
USB power supply
Iusb
USB power supply
current
Vio
3.3 Vio voltage
reference
Ivio
Max rating total
current draw from
IO pin
Io
4.75
3.0
Max IO output
20
current
Table 8 – Operating Voltage and Current
Conditions
mA
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
6 Board Schematic
Figure 6 – NerO Schematic
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
7 Block Diagram
Figure 7 – NerO Board Diagram
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
8 Mechanical Dimensions
8.1
NerO PCB Dimensions
Figure 8 – NerO PCB Dimensions (Top view)
Figure 9 - NerO PCB Dimensions (Side view)
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
9 Contact Information
Head Office – Glasgow, UK
Branch Office – Tigard, Oregon, USA
Future Technology Devices International Limited
Unit 1, 2 Seaward Place, Centurion Business Park
Glasgow G41 1HH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 141 429 2777
Fax: +44 (0) 141 429 2758
Future Technology Devices International Limited (USA)
7130 SW Fir Loop
Tigard, OR 97223-8160
USA
Tel: +1 (503) 547 0988
Fax: +1 (503) 547 0987
E-mail (Sales)
E-mail (Support)
E-mail (General Enquiries)
E-mail (Sales)
E-mail (Support)
E-mail (General Enquiries)
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Branch Office – Taipei, Taiwan
Branch Office – Shanghai, China
Future Technology Devices International Limited (Taiwan)
2F, No. 516, Sec. 1, NeiHu Road
Taipei 114
Taiwan , R.O.C.
Tel: +886 (0) 2 8791 3570
Fax: +886 (0) 2 8791 3576
Future Technology Devices International Limited (China)
Room 1103, No. 666 West Huaihai Road,
Shanghai, 200052
C hina
Tel: +86 21 62351596
Fax: +86 21 62351595
E-mail (Sales)
E-mail (Support)
E-mail (General Enquiries)
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E-mail (General Enquiries)
tw [email protected]
tw [email protected]
tw [email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Web Site
http://ftdichip.com
Distributor and Sales Representatives
Please visit the Sales Network page of the FTDI Web site for the contact details of our distributor(s) and sales representative(s)
in your country.
System and equipment manufac turers and des igners are res ponsible to ens ure that their s ys tems , and any Future T ec hnology D evices
I nternational L td (FTDI ) devices incorporated in their sys tems , meet all applic able safety, regulatory and sys tem -level performance requirements .
All application- related information in this document (including applic ation desc riptions , s uggested FTDI devic es and other materials ) is prov ided
for referenc e only. While FTDI has taken care to ass ure it is acc urate, this information is s ubject to c ustomer confirmation, and FTDI disclaims all
liability for s ys tem des igns and for any applic ations ass istance provided by FTDI . Use of FTDI devic es in life s upport and/or s afety applic ations is
entirely at the user’s risk, and the us er agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless FTDI from any and all damages , claims , s uits or expense
res ulting from s uch us e. T his doc ument is s ubject to c hange without notice. N o freedom to us e patents or other intellec tual p roperty rights is
implied by the public ation of this doc ument. N either the whole nor any part of the information c ontained in, or the produc t desc ribed in this
doc ument, may be adapted or reproduc ed in any material or elec tronic form without the prior written c onsent of the c opyright holder. Future
Tec hnology Devices I nternational L td, U nit 1 , 2 Seaward P lac e, Centurion Business Park, Glas gow G41 1HH , U nited Kingdom. Scot land Registered
C ompany N umber: SC136640
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
Appendix A – References
Document References
For module documentations, please refer to URL below:
FT231XS datasheet: FT231XS Datasheet
FT_PROG programming Utility guide: FT_PROG User Manual
Arduino Open Source Software (IDE) Installation : Arduino IDE Installation
Arduino IDE programming User Guide: Arduino IDE Programming User Guide
Arduino Library Installation guide: Arduino Library Installation Guide
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Terms
DC
Description
Direct Current
LDO
Low Drop Out regulator
LED
Light-emitting diode
MCU
MicroController Unit
TQFP
Thin Quad Flat Pack
USB
Universal Serial Bus
UART
Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
AppendixB – List of Figures and Tables
List of Tables
Table 1 - Switch Mode ............................................................................................................................ 6
Table 2- LED Status ............................................................................................................................... 8
Table 3 - Pin Mapping of CN5.................................................................................................................. 9
Table 4 - Pin Mapping of CN7.................................................................................................................. 9
Table 5 - Pin Mapping of CN6.................................................................................................................. 9
Table 6 - Pin Mapping of CN4................................................................................................................ 10
Table 7 - Temperature Parameter......................................................................................................... 11
Table 8 – Operating Voltage and Current .............................................................................................. 11
List of Figures
Figure 1 - NerO Board Top View ............................................................................................................. 5
Figure 2 - DC Power Supply.................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 3 - USB Power Supply .................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 4 - Atmega328P Micro-controller.................................................................................................. 7
Figure 5 - FT231XS USB to Serial Converter ........................................................................................... 8
Figure 6 – NerO Schematic ................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 7 – NerO Board Diagram............................................................................................................ 13
Figure 8 – NerO PCB Dimensions (Top view)......................................................................................... 14
Figure 9 - NerO PCB Dimensions (Side view) ........................................................................................ 14
Copyright © 2016 Future Technology Devices International Limited
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NerO Module Datasheet
Version 1.0
D oc ument Reference N o.: FT _001285
C learance N o.: FT DI#4 85
Appendix C – Revision History
Document Title:
NerO Module Datasheet
Document Reference No.:
FT_001285
Clearance No.:
FTDI#485
Product Page:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Nero.htm
Document Feedback:
Send Feedback
Revision
Changes
Date
Version 1.0
Initial Release
2016-02-01
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