The MEGA2560 R3 Enhanced Development Board with the ATmega2560 R3 MCU, CH340G chip, and a Type-C interface is a feature-rich, open-source board that offers full compatibility with the Arduino IDE in a modern, user-friendly package.
Key Features
| Feature |
Specification |
| Microcontroller |
ATmega2560 |
| USB Interface |
Type-C connector |
| USB-UART Converter |
CH340G |
| Operating Voltage |
5V |
| Input Voltage (Recommended) |
7V–12V via DC jack or Vin pin |
| Digital I/O Pins |
54 (15 of which provide PWM output) |
| Analog Input Pins |
16 |
| Flash Memory |
256 KB (8 KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM |
8 KB |
| EEPROM |
4 KB |
| Clock Speed |
16 MHz |
| Included Cable |
30cm USB Type-A to Type-C cable |
This development board is a powerful tool for complex electronics projects that require a large number of I/O pins and memory, while benefiting from the modern Type-C USB interface.
- Complex Projects: The extensive I/O count makes it ideal for robotics, automation, and home control systems with numerous sensors and actuators.
- Seamless Programming: It is fully compatible with the Arduino IDE; simply select “Arduino/Genuino Mega or Mega 2560” from the board menu, ensuring any necessary CH340G drivers are installed on your computer for the virtual COM port to be recognized.
- Power Flexibility: The board can be powered via the Type-C USB connection (5V) or an external power supply connected to the DC power jack or Vin pin (recommended 7-12V DC).
- Shield Compatibility: The standard R3 pinout, including added SDA and SCL pins near the AREF pin and the IOREF pin, ensures compatibility with most shields designed for the Arduino Uno and Mega.
Q: Do I need special drivers for the CH340G chip with the Type-C interface?
The CH340G is a common USB-to-serial converter. While newer operating systems often have built-in drivers, older versions of Windows or macOS might require a manual driver installation for stable communication. The specific CH340 driver can usually be found on the WCH official website.
Q: What kind of cable is included and is it sufficient?
The product typically comes with a 30cm USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable. This length is suitable for most desktop prototyping setups, helping to manage cable clutter. You will need a computer with a standard USB Type-A port to use the included cable.
Q: Can I use existing Arduino Mega shields with this board?
Yes, the board is designed with the standard R3 pinout and is fully compatible with most shields designed for the Arduino Mega 2560 R3. The added IOREF pin near the reset button helps shields adapt to the board’s operating voltage.
Q: What is the difference between this board and the original Arduino Mega 2560 R3?
The primary differences are the USB interface and the USB-to-UART chip. This “enhanced” version uses a modern Type-C port (instead of the older Type-B port) and the cost-effective CH340G driver chip (instead of the ATmega16U2 on the original board). Functionally, they are identical when programming in the Arduino IDE.
