1. Overview

1.1. Supported operating systems

From top to bottom: A-Star 32U4 Micro, Mini SV, and Prime SV.

The Pololu A-Star 32U4 microcontroller boards are general-purpose programmable modules based on Atmel’s ATmega32U4 AVR microcontroller, which has 32 KB of flash program memory, 2.5 KB of RAM, and built-in USB functionality. Each A-Star (abbreviated A*) adds onboard components and connectors that support the microcontroller and make it easier to use. The boards feature USB interfaces and ship with a preloaded Arduino-compatible bootloader, and we provide a software add-on that enables them to be easily programmed from the Arduino environment. The following sections of this user’s guide discuss each A-Star in more detail.

A USB A to Micro-B cable (not included) is required to connect an A-Star 32U4 to a computer.

Features

  • Programmable 16 MHz Atmel ATmega32U4 AVR microcontroller
    • 32 KB flash (4 KB used by bootloader, leaving 28 KB available for user program by default)
    • 2.5 KB SRAM
    • 1 KB EEPROM
    • Native full-speed USB (12 Mbps)
  • Preloaded with Arduino-compatible bootloader
  • Can be powered from USB or external source regulated to 5 V by onboard regulator
  • Reverse-voltage protection on external power input
  • 6-pin ISP header for use with an external programmer

A-Star comparison table







A-Star 328PB Micro A-Star 32U4 Micro A-Star 32U4 Mini ULV

A-Star 32U4 Mini LV

A-Star 32U4 Mini SV
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV

A-Star 32U4 Prime SV
A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller LV

A-Star 32U4 Robot Controller SV
Microcontroller: ATmega328PB ATmega32U4
User I/O lines: 24 18 26 26(1) 26(1)
Available PWM outputs: 9 6 7 7 7(1)
Analog inputs: 8 8 12 12 12(1)
Ground access points: 6 2 4 43 44
User LEDs: 1 2 3 3 3
User pushbuttons: 3 3
USB interface: yes yes yes yes
Reset button: yes   yes yes yes
Power switch:     yes yes
Buzzer option:     yes yes
microSD option:     yes  
LCD option:     yes  
Motor drivers:       yes
Operating voltage: 3.3V VCC: 3.8 V to 15 V
5V VCC: 5.5 V to 15 V
5.5 V to 15 V ULV: 0.5 V to 5.5 V
LV: 2.7 V to 11.8 V
SV: 5 V to 40 V
LV: 2 V to 16 V
SV: 5 V to 36 V
LV: 2.7 V to 11 V
SV: 5.5 V to 36 V
Regulator type: 3.3 V or 5 V linear 5 V linear 5 V switching

ULV: step-up
LV: step-up/step-down
SV: step-down
5 V switching

LV: step-up/step-down
SV: step-down
5 V switching

LV: step-up/step-down
SV: step-down
Regulated current:(2) 100 mA 100 mA ULV: 500 mA
LV: 1 A
SV: 800 mA
LV: 1.8 A
SV: 1 A
LV: 1 A
SV: 1.5 A
Dimensions: 1.3″ × 0.7″ 1″ × 0.6″ 1.9″ × 0.7″ 2.8″ × 2.1″ 2.6″ × 2.2″
Weight: 1.5 g(3) 1.3 g(3) 3.4 g(3) 13 g to 33 g 14 g to 23 g
Price: $8.95 $16.95 $24.95 to $24.95 $24.95 to $39.95 $29.95 to $39.95
1 Some microcontroller resources are used by on-board hardware.
2 These values are rough approximations for comparison purposes. Available current depends on input voltage, current consumed by the board, ambient conditions, and regulator topology. See product documentation and performance graphs for details.
3 Without included optional headers.

Related Products

A-Star 32U4 Micro
A-Star 32U4 Mini SV
A-Star 32U4 Mini ULV
A-Star 32U4 Mini LV
A-Star 32U4 Mini SV (ac02c)
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV (SMT Components Only)
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV (SMT Components Only) (ac03b)
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD (SMT Components Only) (ac03b)
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD (SMT Components Only)
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV (ac03b)
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD (ac03b)
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD with LCD
A-Star 32U4 Prime LV microSD with LCD (ac03b)
A-Star 32U4 Prime SV (SMT Components Only)
A-Star 32U4 Prime SV microSD (SMT Components Only)
A-Star 32U4 Prime SV
A-Star 32U4 Prime SV microSD
A-Star 32U4 Prime SV microSD with LCD
A-Star Prime Accessory Pack
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