Arduino UNO R4

Arduino has released an official successor to the iconic Arduino UNO R3 board, the most well-known representative of the microcontroller platform and programming environment based on Arduino’s open hardware, has been released. The Arduino UNO R4 is the first major update to the venerable Arduino UNO R3, which has been around since 2010 and has over ten million users.

UNO R4 continues with the same physical form factor and 5 volt signal levels. This means that the new UNO R4 is compatible with existing hardware. Arduino says that most of the existing Arduino-language software libraries should work without modification, but some that are optimized for the AVR may need to be modified.

The biggest change id that Arduino UNO R4 replaces the 8-bit Atmel ATMega328 processor used in the R3 version with a modern 32-bit solution based on Reneasa’s ARM core. The UNO R4 features a 32-bit Renesas RA4M1 Cortex®-M4 processor, which significantly increases processing power, memory and functionality. The Renesas RA4M1 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller (MCU) operates at a 48 MHz clock frequency, so it offers significantly more power than the previous version’s 16 MHz processor. There is also more memory (32 kilobytes of SRAM and 256 kilobytes of flash memory).

The card connections have improved. In response to community feedback, the USB port is now a modern USB-C. In addition, the maximum voltage of the card’s power supply has been increased to 24 V with improved thermal design. In addition, the card offers a 12-bit DA converter, CAN bus support and an SPI port as new features. The built-in ADC in the new chip is has 14 bits resolution.

Arduino UNO R4 comes available at the end of May in two versions, named UNO R4 WiFi and UNO R4 Minima. In the WiFi version (suitable for IoT applications), wireless communication is handled by the Espressif S3 WiFi module in addition to the RA4M1. The UNO R4 Minima has just RA4M1 controller and no wireless communications. The new UNO R4 version will not replace the current R3 version completely and the current UNO R3 version will also be available after release of R4.

Links to more information:

Arduino UNO R4 is a giant leap forward for an open source community of millions
https://blog.arduino.cc/2023/03/25/arduino-uno-r4/

https://store.arduino.cc/pages/unor4?selectedStore=eu

https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2023/03/27/arm-suorittimilla-lisaa-tehoa-arduino-pienkortteihin/

https://www.hackster.io/news/arduino-announces-the-32-bit-uno-r4-0872e224235d

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/arduino-uno-r4-announced

https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/arduino-is-back-to-the-future-with-the-uno-r4/

30 Comments

  1. Tomi Engdahl says:

    NEW Arduino UNO Rev4 Board! #newdimensionofmaking, #UNOR4
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FolPQYrq4FM

    00:00 Introduction
    00:32 Unboxing
    00:56 Why the R4?
    01:24 Minima & Wifi
    01:42 What’s the Difference? (Specs)
    02:28 Pins
    03:22 What’s the Same?
    03:47 Footprint
    04:12 Take Aways

    Reply
  2. Tomi Engdahl says:

    “Overall, the R4 WiFi represents such a significant step forward compared to the venerable R3 that it’s easy to recommend it as a first board for the current generation of makers.”

    Make: Magazine reviews our newly launched 32-bit UNO!

    Reviewed: Arduino UNO R4 WiFi
    https://makezine.com/products/boards/arduino-uno-r4-wifi/?fbclid=IwAR2xl65AYmxIwbweGpmLsSJ7aZVEg7vJrmTrfxsGqsqZKM24wyL5Wr6A394

    Reply
  3. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Somehow impressive that R3 version cost more than the new R4s

    Reply
  4. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The wait is over. After being announced back on Arduino Day, the revolutionary 32-bit UNO R4 is now available in two variants: UNO R4 Minima and UNO R4 WiFi! Order yours today and get ready to enter a whole new dimension of making: https://blog.arduino.cc/2023/06/26/uno-r4-the-new-dimension-of-making/

    Reply
  5. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Arduino UNO R4: Nice upgrade or troublemaker?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9L3_RP1NWY

    After 12 years, the UNO R3 is finally getting an update in the form of two new UNO boards, the Arduino UNO R4 Minima and the Arduino UNO R4 WiFi (that’s how Arduino spells it even if the correct spelling should be hyphenated).

    As an educator working with students ranging from teenagers to 60 years old, I had to order the new boards as soon as they were available to see how the new versions will fit in my classrooms.

    I’ve been using the R3 (and its clones) for several years with total beginners, so that’s the focus of my review: How will they fit in a beginner environment ? What might happen when a total noob starts looking for tutorials? How many migraines will I get because of weird edge cases that newcomers are sometime better at finding than more advanced users ?

    The (ugly) code I wrote for my example are here: https://github.com/iadjedj/lgp_unor4

    Reply
  6. Tomi Engdahl says:

    A simple version of Space Invaders on the new UNO R4 WiFi’s LED matrix! https://github.com/ripred/Uno_R4_Space_Invaders

    Reply
  7. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The Arm version of David Johnson-Davies’ uLisp now adds support for the new Arduino UNO R4: http://forum.ulisp.com/t/arm-release-4-5-supports-the-new-arduino-uno-r4-boards/1239

    Reply
  8. Miranda says:

    The Arduino UNO R4 Minima is the first UNO board to have a Renesas RA4M1 32-bit microprocessor. It is quicker, has more memory, Drift Boss and has features such as a DAC, RTC, and HID. The UNO R4 Minima is a 5 V board only.

    Reply
  9. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://www.partco.fi/fi/arduino/arduino-aloitussarjat/27067-ard-akx00069.html

    Alkuperäinen Arduino® AKX00069 – Plug and Make Kit – Luo älykkäitä IoT-laitteita nopeasti ja helposti monipuolisten Modulino®-sensorien avulla. Plug and Make Kit on Arduino Uno R4 WiFi:n ympärille koostuva sarja.

    Reply
  10. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Beginner friendly Arduino Plug and Make Kit features Arduino UNO R4 WiFi and Modulino I2C modules
    Arduino has just launched a “Plug and Make” kit designed for beginners with an Arduino UNO R4 WiFi board, several “Modulino” modules, a “Modulino” base to neatly attach the UNO R4 and modules, and various cables, spacers, screws, and nuts.
    https://www.cnx-software.com/2024/07/12/beginner-friendly-arduino-plug-and-make-kit-features-arduino-uno-r4-wifi-and-modulino-i2c-modules/

    Reply
  11. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Arduino’s Plug and Make Kit Offers an Easy Introduction to the Internet of Things
    This Arduino UNO R4 WiFi bundle aims at simplicity with its Modulino base and matching quick-connect input/output modules.
    https://www.hackster.io/news/arduino-s-plug-and-make-kit-offers-an-easy-introduction-to-the-internet-of-things-f624345b97c1

    “The Plug and Make Kit is Arduino’s new entry point into the world of IoT and electronics: one that is more accessible, fun, and engaging than ever,” claims Arduino chief executive officer Fabio Violante of the company’s latest bundle. “No matter their age, background or interests, everyone can experience that first taste of technology.”

    Reply
  12. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Maker Go’s Arduino UNO R4 Minima Clone Cuts the Cost Considerably — and Is On Offer for Under $1
    Using the same Renesas RA4M1 chip, with its 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 core, this clone includes double-row headers and a 3.3V logic switch.
    https://www.hackster.io/news/maker-go-s-arduino-uno-r4-minima-clone-cuts-the-cost-considerably-and-is-on-offer-for-under-1-c1a5b80357a3

    Chinese hobbyist electronics specialist Maker Go has launched its own take on the Arduino UNO R4 Minima, based around the same Renesas RA4M1 board but priced significantly lower — and currently available, for a limited time, for under a dollar.

    “The RA4M1 core board uses the Renesas RA4M1 (Arm Cortex-M4) microcontroller with a speed of 48MHz, which is three times higher than the [Arduino UNO] R3,” Maker Go writes of its design. “SRAM [Static RAM] is increased from 2kB in [UNO] R3 to 32kB, and flash is increased from 32kB to 256kB to adapt to more complex program applications. Compatible with the official [Arduino UNO R4] Minima development and learning board.”

    physical switch to flip between 5V and 3.3V logic. Its main advantage: price, selling for a standard retail price of just $7.76 including delivery — undercutting the official Arduino board by some considerable margin.

    Reply
  13. Tomi Engdahl says:

    WeAct RA4M1 – A small board with plenty of GPIOs that’s software-compatible with the Arduino UNO R4
    https://www.cnx-software.com/2024/09/03/weact-ra4m1-a-small-board-gpio-software-compatible-arduino-uno-r4/

    Last week, we covered the Maker Go RA4M1-R4 development board, an inexpensive “clone” of the Arduino UNO R4 Minima with some small modifications like support for up to 50V DC input and a 3.3V/5V switch for I/Os. But today, I’ve come across a smaller and cheaper Renesas RA4M1 board that’s also software compatible with the Arduino UNO R4. Meet the WeAct RA4M1.

    Reply
  14. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Arduino’s CEO on the Commercial Future of Open-Source Hardware
    Sept. 6, 2024
    Fabio Violante, CEO of Arduino, explains how open-source hardware is moving from the “maker” space into the commercial market.
    https://www.electronicdesign.com/technologies/embedded/article/55138420/electronic-design-6-questions-with-arduinos-ceo-on-commercial-open-source-hardware

    Reply
  15. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Arduino UNO R4 Shield Guide
    This article covers the basic steps for developing your own shield for the Arduino UNO R4 Minima and the UNO R4 WiFi.
    https://docs.arduino.cc/tutorials/uno-r4-minima/shield-guide/

    Reply
  16. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Arduino’s New UNO SPE Shield Brings Single-Pair Ethernet, RS485 to the Arduino UNO R4 Family
    Built in partnership with Microchip with a view to offering a leg-up for legacy Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) infrastructure.
    https://www.hackster.io/news/arduino-s-new-uno-spe-shield-brings-single-pair-ethernet-rs485-to-the-arduino-uno-r4-family-74e139dda612

    Reply
  17. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Arduino UNO R4 is the next big thing after ChatGPT
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEfDgQnjvB0

    The new dimension of making
    Your user-friendly, accessible Arduino UNO R4 just took a quantum leap forward: Arduino UNO R4 is a 32-bit microprocessor offering more speed, memory, connectors and connectivity options than any version of the board before. Out of this world, and into the future.

    Set a new standard
    UNO R4 preserves the standard form factor, shield compatibility, 5 V power supply and robustness of the UNO range while offering no less than a 32-bit Arm® Cortex®-M4 and a 16-fold increase in memory. Thanks to enhanced thermal design, the UNO R4 boards can be powered up to 24 V.
    The best prototyping and learning tool for anyone just got better.

    Reply

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