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Connecting Arduino Pro Mini 328 - 5V/16MHz with your Arduino Uno

So I want to try the Thinker Blinker project from my previous post. As mentioned, they use an Arduino Pro Mini 328 - 5V/16MHz. So hence that is what I bought.



Since I already have my Arduino Uno, I wanted to just use it to program my ProMini instead of having to buy USB to serial converter. Basically, the ProMini will act as the IC board of the Uno, which is the board crucial to make the Uno running. After searching the tutorial on how to connect your ProMini to your Uno, it turns out it is pretty simple. I found someone that created the tutorial here.

Step 1:
Remove the IC from the Arduino Uno board. This is important because we have to 'incapacitate' the Uno so that all the 'power' will go to the ProMini.


Now we just have to connect the Uno to the ProMini. I'm using a solderless breadboard to help me do this because it allows me to join other external components like an LED bulb, etc. to try whether the codes actually work.


Step 2: Connect the Cables
Using an F/M Jumper Cable, connect the 5V pin on the Uno to the VCC pin on the ProMini.

Using another F/M Jumper Cable, connect the GND pin on the Uno to the GND pin on the ProMini.

Using another F/M Jumper Cable, connect the TX->1 pin on the Uno to the TX0 pin on the ProMini.

Using another F/M Jumper Cable, connect the RX pin on the Uno to the RXI pin on the ProMini.

Using another M/M Jumper Cable, connect the RESET pin on the Uno to the RST pin on the ProMini. The reason why I used an M/M cable instead of the F/M is that I attached the ProMini to the breadboard, and therefore I cannot attach the ProMini with the F/M cable.

Now that everything is attached, Arduino Uno to your computer. You will notice that the ProMini will start blinking. And to test out if it actually works, just click on the button on the ProMini. If it is successfully connected, the light will turn off when the button is pressed.

Step 3:
Then the next thing to do is to change the settings on the Arduino Software.

Click on the Tools option on the options bar.
Then find the Boards option, and pick the Arduino Pro or Pro Mini.
Change the Processor option as well, pick the right specs according to the Arduino Pro Mini you are using. Since I'm using the ProMini 328 -5v,16MHz, I'll be choosing the ATmega328P (5V,16MHz).

Once everything is set up accordingly, your Arduino Pro Mini can function as normally as your Arduino Uno!

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