Thunkit's KitDuino Proto Offers Dual-Voltage ATmega32U4 Prototyping in a Multifunction Uno Layout
A central prototyping area gives you a place to solder additional components, while the Uno-format headers provide shield compatibility.
Thunkit Electronics has launched an Arduino Uno form factor development board with a difference: It has an on-board prototyping area for the installation of additional hardware.
"The KitDuino Proto is a one of a kind Arduino-compatible board," Thunkit's Cameron McCaskey writes of his creation, brought to our attention by CNX Software. "It uses the ATmega32U4 and can be programmed by the Arduino IDE using the Thunkit Arduino Core. The KitDuino Proto has a small prototyping area making it a great addition to your next project."
That prototyping area, using a standard 2.54mm pin pitch, is the board's main draw: When the time comes to move a project off a breadboard, the components can be soldered directly to the prototyping area to provide a finished circuit — while the Uno-format pin headers mean it's also compatible with the usual range of shields and other add-ons.
The microcontroller runs at 8MHz, rather than the more common 16MHz, in order to allow the board to support three voltage modes: Stock 3.3V, a jumper-selected 5V — which comes with the warning that when powered over USB means the board will run at around 3.8V — and a "Vin SEL" mode which connects USB power directly to VCC via a Schottky diode.
The board is now on sale, priced at $12.49, from Thunkit's Tindie store; design files are available on GitHub.