When it comes to homegrown embedded designs, the Arduino family of products has been the go-to resource for years. Arduino’s immense support network, expansive line of peripherals and accessories, and ease-of-use has made it the hardware choice for hobbyists, makers, and prototypers alike.
Because Arduino is an open-sourced design, there have been hundreds (thousands?) of spin-off boards and redesigns of this now-famous development platform. The RFDuino takes a traditional Arduino development board and elevates it to the next level -- making it a solid choice for rapid prototyping and permanent installations.
So tiny. Much Arduino -- the RFduino DIP (Image courtesy of RFDuino)
The RFduino - DIP board is a miniature (about the size of a U.S. quarter) wireless Arduino-enabled development platform. By stacking this RFduino - DIP with an RFduino USB shield, you can load Arduino code onto the board (no programmer required — it’s all built in) and then incorporate the RFduino directly into your project.
Furthermore, because the RFduino is Bluetooth Low-Energy enabled, you can easily connect your projects to your mobile device. The folks at RFduino have even provided a series of free apps that let you get the RFduino up and running with your iOS device in minutes.
The RFD90102 Kit includes the following:
• 2 RFDuinos
• 1 USB Shield Accessory Board
• 1 Servo Shield Accessory Board
• 1 RGB Pushbutton Shield Accessory Board
• 1 Dual AAA Battery Shield Accessory Board
• 1 Prototyping Shield Accessory Board
The servo shield makes the RFduino ideal for embedding into projects where control of a simple servo is desired (like a Bluetooth-controlled desktop vending machine), while the RGB pushbutton shield gives you an easy way to control your Arduino-powered project. Finally, the battery shield means you don’t need a wired connection for power and the prototyping shield gives you a blank canvas to add additional sensors, peripherals, or whatever your imagination desires.
The RFduino line of products, with its tiny form factor and wireless capabilities, makes it an ideal choice for IoT projects or embedded designs of all types. Check it out and start exploring the wonderful world of Arduino!