SparkFun RedBoard Qwiic

SparkFun’s RedBoard Qwiic is an Arduino-compatible development board that combines the best features of previous Arduinos with several key improvements. This innovative board utilises the Qwiic Connect System, eliminating the need for soldering or shields to connect it to your system. This makes the RedBoard Qwiic a user-friendly, versatile development tool.

Not only does the RedBoard Qwiic feature a Qwiic Connector, it also boasts an AP2112 voltage regulator. This robust 3.3V regulator provides more power, allowing for the daisy chaining of multiple Qwiic boards and sensors, sourcing up to 600mA of current. The CH340C Serial-USB converter IC supports the micro USB connector, reducing the need for manual driver installation. Solder jumpers have been added to the board, providing the option to disconnect the logic level converters from the A4 and A5 pins. The voltage level jumpers can switch the RedBoard Qwiic from a 3.3V device to a 5V device.

The RedBoard Qwiic can be programmed over a USB Micro-B cable using the Arduino IDE. It features 20 digital I/O pins, 6 PWM pins, UART, SPI and external interrupts. The SDA, SCL and IOREF pins are broken out, ensuring future shield compatibility. Power can be supplied over USB or through the barrel jack, with the on-board power regulator handling anything from 7 to 15VDC.

The Qwiic Connect System is an ecosystem of I²C sensors, actuators, shields and cables that streamline prototyping and reduce errors. All Qwiic-enabled boards use a common 1mm pitch, 4-pin JST connector. This minimises required PCB space, and the polarised connections prevent incorrect hook up.

Features of the RedBoard Qwiic include an ATmega328 microcontroller with Optiboot (UNO) Bootloader, CH340C Serial-USB Converter, AP2112 Voltage Regulator, A4/A5 Jumpers, 3.3V to 5V Voltage Level Jumper, 1 Qwiic Connector, 20 Digital I/O Pins (6 PWM Outputs and 6 Analog Inputs), ISP Header, 32k Flash Memory, 16MHz Clock Speed, all SMD Construction, R3 Shield Compatibility, and an improved Reset Button.

Resources available for the RedBoard Qwiic include a schematic, Eagle Files, a hookup guide, instructions on how to install CH340C Drivers, an Arduino Buying Guide, Arduino IDE Download, Qwiic Page, GitHub, and a comparison of SparkFun RedBoards.