LilyPad USB ATmega32U4 Development Board – Micro USB Interface

SKU: FA1033
Microcontroller

ATmega32U4
Operating Voltage

3.5V – 5 V
Clock Speed

8 MHz
Digital I/O Pins

20 total (7 provide PWM output)
Analog Input Pins

12 (shared with some digital pins)
DC Current per I/O Pin

40 mA
Flash Memory

32 KB (ATmega32U4); 4 KB used by bootloader
SRAM

2.5 KB
EEPROM

1 KB
Dimensions

Approx. 50mm (2") diameter
Connectivity

Micro USB, JST connector for LiPo battery
LilyPad USB ATmega32U4 Development Board – Micro USB Interface
The LilyPad USB is a powerful, wearable microcontroller board that takes e-textiles to the next level. Unlike previous LilyPad iterations that required an external programmer, this board features the ATmega32U4 chip with built-in USB support, allowing you to program it directly using a micro USB cable. Its unique circular, sewable design is specifically engineered for seamless integration into fabric and wearable projects.
This development board is a robust solution for artists, fashion designers, and engineers creating interactive clothing or soft robotics, suitable for both creative personal projects and professional commercial applications.
Description
The LilyPad USB addresses common frustrations found in early wearable electronics by integrating USB functionality directly onto the microcontroller chip. Based on the same architecture as the popular Arduino Leonardo, the ATmega32U4 chip handles both the application code and the USB communication, making programming a breeze. Simply plug in a standard micro USB cable, and the board appears as a standard serial port on your computer within the Arduino IDE.
Designed with wearability in mind, the board is lightweight, circular, and features large, flat “sew tabs” around its perimeter. These tabs replace traditional fragile header pins and are intended to be connected using conductive thread, turning stitching into circuit traces.
A significant advantage of this specific LilyPad version is the addition of a JST connector and on-board LiPo charging circuit. This means you can plug in a single-cell Lithium Polymer battery, power your project, and recharge the battery simply by plugging in the micro USB cable—no external charger is needed. Running at 8 MHz with a flexible operating voltage range of 3.5V to 5V, the LilyPad USB is ready for sophisticated, battery-powered interactive projects that require a durable, integrated solution.
Features
  • Integrated USB: Features the ATmega32U4 microcontroller with built-in USB support, eliminating the need for an external FTDI programmer.
  • Direct Charging: Includes an on-board LiPo charger and JST connector for simple battery management.
  • Wearable Design: Round, low-profile form factor and flat back engineered for comfort and durability within fabric.
  • Sewable Connections: Large, wide “sew tabs” facilitate reliable connections using conductive thread.
  • Arduino Leonardo Compatibility: Programs seamlessly using the standard Arduino IDE (select “LilyPad USB” or “Arduino Leonardo” in the board manager).
  • High Pin Count: Offers a variety of Digital I/O, PWM, and Analog Input pins necessary for complex projects.
  • Washable: Hand-washable design (with battery removed) for practical application in real garments.
  • LED Indicators: On-board LEDs for power status, charging indication, and a user-accessible LED on D13.
Usage
The LilyPad USB is ideal for cutting-edge projects where integrated electronics and reliable power management are required:
  1. Interactive Fashion & Costumes: Embedding sophisticated lighting sequences, sensors, and sound into clothing using the built-in USB programming ease and battery charging.
  2. Smart Textiles Prototypes: For R&D in developing commercial smart garments, such as health monitoring shirts or heated outerwear.
  3. Soft Robotics & Art: Creating flexible, fabric-based robotic elements or interactive textile art pieces.
  4. STEM Education: Teaching advanced microcontroller concepts in a highly engaging, project-based format for high school and university students.
Simply power the board with a LiPo battery plugged into the JST port, connect the micro USB for programming, and use conductive thread to sew connections to components like LilyPad LEDs and sensors.
Q: What is the main difference between this board and the standard LilyPad ATmega328P board?

The main difference is the microcontroller (ATmega32U4 vs. ATmega328P). The ATmega32U4 version (this product) has native USB support, meaning you can plug it directly into your computer to program it. The older 328P version often requires a separate programmer board (FTDI Basic). This board also features an on-board LiPo charger circuit.

Q: Does this board include the battery?

No, the battery is typically sold separately. The board has a JST connector designed to plug in a standard single-cell 3.7V LiPo battery, which can then be recharged via the board’s micro USB port.

Q: Is the LilyPad USB compatible with standard Arduino software?

Yes, it is fully compatible. You must download the Arduino IDE and select the “LilyPad USB” board option from the tools menu when you are ready to upload code.

Q: Can I use regular wires instead of conductive thread?

You can technically solder wires to the sew tabs, but it defeats the purpose of the wearable, flat design. The tabs are specifically optimized for secure, low-profile sewing with conductive thread for fabric integration.

Q: Is the board durable enough for washing clothes?

The board itself is designed to be resilient to hand-washing, provided the battery is removed and the board is allowed to dry completely. However, the overall durability depends heavily on how well the entire textile circuit is constructed and insulated. Machine washing is not recommended.

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