Boboduino MiniCore Arduino IDE environment setup

Boboduino Minicore

Boboduino uses a more convenient MiniCore bootloader compared to the original Arduino Uno. The MiniCore design supports various AVR MCUs and even allows for the use of different crystal oscillators. Considering that some of the MiniCore features are nearly impossible to use on the Boboduino board (such as switching to other non-328 series chips or, for most users, changing the crystal oscillator frequency), we have created a simplified version of the Third-party board settings that disable certain MiniCore functions. This makes it easier for everyone to install and use it in the official Arduino IDE. This version of MiniCore simply hides options that will never be used, preventing accidental issues during program uploads. Since Boboduino is equipped with the MiniCore bootloader internally, compatibility issues with MiniCore are not a concern.

Below, we will demonstrate using the latest Arduino IDE version 2.2.1:

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Install Arduino IDE 2.2.0+

Here we demonstrate the installation process of the Arduino IDE on a computer. First, let’s go to the official Arduino IDE download site, choose the Arduino IDE version that corresponds to your current operating system, and download it. The step by set installation process is quite straightforward. If you encounter any issues, you can find more information on the official Arduino website.

After you click on the download link for your operating system, you may see a page like the one shown below, which asks for a donation before downloading. If you wish to make a donation to the Arduino Foundation, you can click on the amount and then select [CONTRIBUTE & DOWNLOAD]. If you only want to download the software for now, simply click on the less conspicuous[JUST DOWNLOAD] option on the left. Don’t worry; they do not require you to make a donation when you simply want to download the software.

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Find the Preferences setting

Open the Arduino IDE version that we just installed and click on [Arduino IDE > Preferences].

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Add Additional Boards Manager URLs

Next, we will copy this link and paste it into the field for Additional Boards Manager URLs. If there are already other links in the text box, you don’t need to delete them. Just add the new one at the bottom of the list.”

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/boboduino/Boboduino_MiniCore/master/third-party%20board/package_boboduino_com_index.json

The purpose of this action is to enable the Arduino IDE to locate board data designed by third-party developers (for example, Boboduino or Raspberry Pi) and directly download it using the board manager’s functionality. It will also automatically notify you of driver updates when available.”

After clicking [OK] , we can proceed to the next step.

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Open the Board Manager and install the third-party board driver

Next, navigate to [Tools > Board > Boards Manager] to install the Boboduino MiniCore.

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Install the Boboduino MiniCore third-party board

On the left side, enter ‘Boboduino’ in [BOARDS MANAGER], and click on [INSTALL].

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Confirm the successful installation

After the installation is complete, we should be able to find the ‘Boboduino Uno R3‘ development board under [Tool > Board > Boboduino AVR boards].

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Upload a test program

Next, we are ready to upload a program for our first test. Plug the Type-C USB into the computer with your Boboduino board, and click on [Select other board and ports] below.”

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Pair the board and port

Here, we need to establish a pairing relationship between [BOARDs] and [Ports]. In [BOARDS], select [Boboduino Uno R3], and in [PORTS], choose the USB device that the computer detects when the board is connected. Click [OK] and then close the window.

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Paste the Blink test program

Paste the following Blink test program into the text box on the right. We will use it to test if we can successfully upload the program to the Boboduino Uno board.

// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
  // initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}

// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);  // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  delay(1000);                      // wait for a second
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);   // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  delay(1000);                      // wait for a second
}

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Upload the Test Program

Next, click on the [→] button in the top-left corner to upload a test program. If you can see the ‘Done uploading‘ dialog box in the bottom-right corner, it means the upload was successful.

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Hooray! 🎉 After you finish installing the CH340G USB driver and the setup of third-party board in the Arduino IDE, I want to say that you have opened up a new world of possibilities with microprocessors. It’s always great to explore and learn about other cool stuff. One day, you may find that you need to use a more powerful board or MCU for something you are building. At that time, you may not consider using Boboduino (because you think it’s too cute and should be a precious part of your collection, I understand). It’s not the time to say goodbye🥲; it’s just the beginning of your new journey 🚀. I believe the spirit of becoming a maker with Boboduino will always live in your mind!

Let’s try to create some interesting projects with the Boboduino UNO board.

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References

• MiniCore Github The original MiniCore bootloader.
• Boboduino MiniCore Github The slightly modified Boboduino MiniCore which is more suitable for AtMega328PB McU.