Description
The Arduino Leonardo board is one of the most versatile development boards available at Faranux Electronics. While it looks similar to the classic Uno, it offers a distinct advantage: the ATmega32u4 microcontroller. This chip has built-in USB communication, eliminating the need for a secondary processor. This unique feature allows the Arduino Leonardo board to emulate a computer mouse, keyboard, or other USB devices, making it the top choice for building custom game controllers, macro keypads, and automation scripts.
Technical Specifications
When you choose the Arduino Leonardo board, you get a robust set of features for complex projects:
- Microcontroller: ATmega32u4 (8-bit AVR)
- Operating Voltage: 5V
- Input Voltage (Recommended): 7-12V via DC jack or VIN pin
- Digital I/O Pins: 20 total pins, with 7 providing PWM output for motor control or LED dimming.
- Analog Input Channels: 12 inputs for sensors (more than the Uno’s 6).
- Flash Memory: 32 KB (4 KB used by bootloader).
- SRAM: 2.5 KB (0.5 KB more than the Uno).
Why Buy the Arduino Leonardo Board?
For students and engineers in Rwanda, the Arduino Leonardo board opens up new possibilities. Because the USB stack is handled directly by the main chip, you can use the Keyboard.h and Mouse.h libraries to send keystrokes and clicks directly to your PC. This makes it incredibly easy to create “plug-and-play” USB devices without installing extra drivers.
Whether you are prototyping a flight simulator interface or simply need more analog pins than the standard Uno offers, the Arduino Leonardo board delivers professional performance. It is fully compatible with the Arduino IDE and most standard shields.
The Leonardo differs from all preceding boards in that the ATmega32u4 has built-in USB communication, eliminating the need for a secondary processor. This allows the Leonardo to appear to a connected computer as a mouse and keyboard, in addition to a virtual (CDC) serial / COM port. It also has other implications for the behavior of the board; these are detailed on the getting started page.
Power and Compatibility
The Arduino Leonardo board automatically selects its power source. You can power it via the micro-USB connection or an external power supply (AC-to-DC adapter or battery). The board is protected by a resettable polyfuse that prevents damage to your computer’s USB port if more than 500mA is drawn, ensuring a safe learning environment for students and beginners.
Get Your Board Today
Upgrade your electronics toolkit with the Arduino Leonardo board from Faranux Electronics. Order online for fast delivery in Kigali and start building your next interactive project today.
Resources
- ATmega32u4 (datasheet).
