Using the Proto Shield Plus with Arduino MINI

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).

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.

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

Using a female header

Using a male header

Horizontal or vertical mount

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.

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

Using a female header

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

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).

• 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).

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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