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Using the Proto Shield Plus with Arduino MINI

Published : 03/21/2018 22:38:23
Categories : Proto Shield Plus


Using the Proto Shield Plus with Arduino MINI


The MINI board needs an USB to serial adapter to communicate with the IDE.

The Proto Shield Plus comes by default with the 0,1uF capacitor needed by the USB to SERIAL adapters to reset Arduino while uploading sketches (see C8 on the Proto Shield Plus).


The Proto Shield Plus with Arduino MINI

The Arduino MINI socket of the Proto Shield Plus



Using the official USB2SERIAL LIGHT adapter to work with Arduino MINI


The USB2SERIAL LIGHT adapter must be connected to the EXTUSB2SERIAL SOCKET of the Protoshield Plus.

ARDUINO USB to SERIAL

To plug the USB2SERIAL LIGHT adapter into the board, choose the solution that better fits your needs.


Using a female header

ARDUINO USB 2 SERIAL FEMALE HEADER


Using a male header

ARDUINO USB 2 SERIAL MALE HEADER


Horizontal or vertical mount

ARDUINO USB 2 SERIAL VERTICAL HORIZONTAL


Using third-party USB to SERIAL adapters to work with Arduino MINI

The USB to SERIAL adapter must be connected to the EXTUSB2SERIAL SOCKET of the Proto Shield Plus.

USB to Serial


To plug the USB to SERIAL adapter into the board, choose the solution that better fits your needs.


Using a female header

Third party USB to Serial

Even if it is not recommended, you can soldering directly into the socket.

Third party USB to Serial soldered



Turning an Arduino UNO board into an USB to SERIAL adapter


First you need an Arduino UNO board with the ATmega328 28 pins DIL package (not the SMD version).

Arduino DIL and SMD

  • Remove the ATmega328 chip from its socket
  • Plug the UNO board into the Proto Shield Plus
  • Now the UNO board performs the communication with the Arduino MINI
  • Open Arduino IDE
  • Select “Arduino MINI” from Tools -> Board menu
  • Select the COM port associated to the UNO board from Tools -> Port menu (since it will be the serial communication channel)


Swapping TX / RX signals


By default TX and RX signal are connected in CROSSED configuration.
This means:
RX pad on the EXTUSB2SERIAL connector connects to the Arduino MINI TX pin (SJTX2RX is closed).
TX pad on the EXTUSB2SERIAL connector connects to the Arduino MINI RX pin (SJRX2TX is closed).

Cross Direct Configuration


If for some reason, due to third-party USB to SERIAL adapter, you need swap the two signals:

  • Open SJTX2RX and SJRX2TX (by cutting them in the middle)
  • Close SJTX2TX and SJRX2RX


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