Clone the Arduino - Bare Bone System

This DIY creates an arduino clone that does not compromise with features or utilities. Using one Atmel ATmega328P-PU AVR microcontroller with arduino bootloader, and basic electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, voltage regulators, LED and an FTDI Connector (to program the arduino).

The brain of this bare bone system would be the microcontroller. The ATmega328 utilizes the same chip as in the arduino UNO. In the BOM, BooRan has added the ATmega328P-PU with Arduino Bootloader pre-loaded. This enables him to wire up and program it with the Arduino software. The free Arduino software is used to run the board as there already is a chip with the Arduino bootloader. The most updated version of the software can be downloaded at no extra cost from Arduino.cc.

As one can guess, assembling the board is a bit of work. This is done by first affixing the power circuitry – resistors, capacitors, LED, regulators and all – followed by the microcontroller chip. Next the clock is places on the board and then the reset button. This ensures that microcontroller has got what it needs. Lastly, the FTDI header is assembled. Now the assembly is all ready for programming.