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The Boarduino is an Arduino clone: when programmed with the Arduino bootloader, it can talk to the Arduino software and run sketches just like the original.

There are noticable differences between the Boarduino and the Arduino.

Shields cannot be used as the form factor is so different There are two versions, a DC version and a USB version For the DC version there isn't an on-board USB chip. This means you need to use a USB-TTL cable or a MiniUSB (or any other FTDI breakout board) which is not included. There are also no rx/tx LEDs and no rx/tx 1K series resistors. For the USB version, there is an on-board USB chip but there isn't a DC jack or 5V regulator, you can power it through the USB jack. There is a rx 1K resistor so you can use this to talk to serial accessories. 16.00 MHz ceramic resonator is used instead of crystal, so cycle speed may be off by +- 0.3nS (0.5%). This isn't relevant for UART timing, servo drivers, PWM, etc. but could be an issue if you need nanosecond-precision timing. Note that the Arduino software only provides millisecond-precision timing for general sketches (1 second = 1000ms. 1ms = 1,000,000 ns) The specifications for the DC boarduino include:

Designed to plug into a breadboard for easy prototyping Petite size, only 3“ x 0.8” (75mm x 20mm) All 'standard' pins are brought out - Digital 0 thru 13, Analog 0 thru 5, ARef, 5V, Ground, Vin and Reset 2 LEDs, green power and red “pin 13” LED just like the Arduino Diecimila Standard Reset button ATmega328P, running at 16.00 MHz, just like the latest Arduino, the Duemilanove (note that the product photo above hasn't been updated) 6-pin standard ICSP header Standard 2.1mm DC jack (just like the original Arduino) with 5V regulator to run on 7V-17V power (DC) USB or External power, selectable with a jumper (just like original Arduino) 1N4001 diode protects against using incorrect wall adapter 6-pin header at the end for a USB-TTL cable Auto-reset capability when used with a USB-TTL cable Available as a low cost kit with standard parts, so its never out of stock All through-hole parts are easy to solder The specifications for the USB boarduino include:

Designed to plug into a breadboard for easy prototyping Petite size, only 2.75 “ x 0.8” (75mm x 20mm) All 'standard' pins are brought out - Digital 0 thru 13, Analog 0 thru 5, ARef, 5V, Ground, 3.3V and Reset 2 LEDs, green power and red “pin 13” LED just like the Arduino Diecimila Standard Reset button ATmega328, running at 16.00 MHz, just like the Duemilanove 6-pin standard ICSP header Standard mini-USB jack USB or external power, selectable with a jumper 500mA fuse protects your computer from current overdraw Auto-reset capability Available as a low cost kit with standard parts, so its never out of stock All through-hole parts are easy to solder - SMT chip is presoldered & tested when purchased as a kit