Arduino Projects

How to Make Arduino Development Board with 5v 3A Power Supply

Arduino Development Board:

 

How to Make Arduino Development Board with 5v 3A Power Supply- In today’s article, you will learn how to make an Arduino Development Board at home. This Arduino development board has a 5V and 3A power supply, an I2C-supported OLED display module, 5V SPDT-type relays, a LoRa transceiver module for long-range wireless communication, and a 5V buzzer.

An Arduino development board with an integrated 5V power supply. The image showcases the board's layout, including the main microcontroller, input/output pins, power supply connectors, and other components. The built-in 5V power supply provides a stable voltage for powering the Arduino and connected devices, enabling the development and testing of various projects."

You may have seen this development board being used in most of my videos. It is good for basic prototyping, and I have made several projects using this development board. But there comes a time when you feel the need to advance a little.




The basic objective behind using a development board is to save time and money. A development board should have enough power so that you can easily test different projects with it.

I replaced this development board because it is based on the 7805 voltage regulator, and as you know, it can handle a maximum current of 1A if a good heatsink is used. So if you use a 7805 voltage regulator, you can easily power up small sensors. But when it comes to servo motors, GSM modules, or HMI screens that require more current, the 7805 voltage regulator fails badly.

Then you have to use an external power supply. Some time ago, I made a 5V and 3A power supply that I have used with almost all controller boards. I used it to power up my portable monitor, motors, sensors, and even I have used it to charge my cell phone. When I was 100% satisfied with this 5V power supply, I thought why not update my development board.

How to Make Arduino Development Board with 5v 3A Power Supply

And as you can see, here is my updated development board based on the regulated 5V and 3A power supply. I have also used an OLED display module in this development board, which helps you monitor values of different sensors. The display I used here is the SSD1306 OLED display module. In this development board, I have also added 5V SPDT type relays, which allow you to control high voltage AC and DC loads. And as you can see, there is also a buzzer on this board. Let’s say you are working on a project where you need to monitor different types of sensors. When the sensor value exceeds the threshold value, the buzzer turns on. Or if you want to create a security system and the sensor gets activated, the buzzer turns on.



In addition to that, I have also added a LoRa transceiver module in this development board because I am sure that after trying out basic Arduino projects, you will eventually need long-range wireless communication.

An image of the LoRa Ra-02 module by AI-Thinker. The picture displays the compact LoRa Ra-02 module, a popular device for long-range wireless communication. It features a small form factor with integrated LoRa transceiver, antenna connector, and other necessary components. The Ra-02 module is widely used in IoT (Internet of Things) applications for transmitting and receiving data over long distances using the LoRa protocol.

I have used the Ai-Thinker 433MHz Ra-02 LoRa module. I am really thankful to Ai-Thinker for sending me lots of these LoRa modules along with different antennas for testing the communication range.

An image displaying different types of LoRa antennas. The picture showcases a variety of antennas used for LoRa communication. These antennas come in various shapes and sizes, including wire antennas, PCB antennas, helical antennas, and external whip antennas. Each type of antenna offers different performance characteristics and is suitable for specific applications in LoRa-based projects.

And to connect other sensors and breakout boards, I have also added female headers. I have also added female headers for 3.3V, 5V, and GND connections. Let’s say you need to power up a servo or a GSM module, you can connect the 5V from the headers labeled as VIN.

I have given a full overview of the Arduino development board, and now let’s move on and take a look at its circuit diagram.



Amazon Links:

Arduino Nano

LoRa Ra-02

LoRa Antennas

5V relays

5v Buzzer

SSD1306 Oled display Module

AMAOE Solder Paste

Andonstar Digital Microscope

Non-Magnetic ESD tweezers

Other Tools and Components:

Top Arduino Sensors:

Super Starter kit for Beginners

Digital Oscilloscopes

Variable Supply

Digital Multimeter

Soldering iron kits

PCB small portable drill machines

*Please Note: These are affiliate links. I may make a commission if you buy the components through these links. I would appreciate your support in this way!

About LoRa Ra-02:

Product Description:

Module Model: Ra-02

Package: SMD-16

Size: 17*16*(3.2 ±0.1)mm

Interface: SPI

Programmable bit rate: UP to 300Kbps

Frequency Range: 410-525 MHz

Antenna: IPEX

Max Transmit Power: 18±1 dBm

Power(Typical Values):

433MHz ( TX:93mA, RX:12.15mA, Standby:1.6mA)

470MHz (TX:97mA, RX:12.15mA, Standby:1.5mA)

Power Supply: 2.5 to 3.7V, Typical 3.3V

Operating Environment: -40 Co to 85Co

Storage Environment: -40 Co to 90Co , <90%RH

Weight: 0.45g



Arduino Development board Circuit Diagram:

Circuit diagram of an Arduino development board designed using Altium Designer. The diagram showcases the various components and connections on the board, including microcontrollers, resistors, capacitors, headers, connectors, and other electronic elements. Altium Designer is a professional PCB design software used to create high-quality circuit schematics and layouts."

I have used Altium designer for creating the Schematic and for designing the PCB. If you want to speed up and professionalize your PCB designing work, I recommend shifting to Altium Designer. I have added the trial link in the description below. One of the best things about Altium Designer is that you can share your designs with your team members using Altium 365. They can check your design, leave comments, and if there are any issues, they can fix them from anywhere in the world. Altium Designer also uses the world’s fastest components search engine, Octopart, so you won’t have any difficulty in searching for components. I have already explained in detail how to search for components and how to create a schematic and design a PCB using Altium Designer. You can watch my videos available on my YouTube channel “ Electronic Clinic”.

An image depicting the connection between a LoRa Ra-02 module and an Arduino board. The picture shows the Ra-02 module connected to the Arduino board through various wires and pins. The module's pins, including power, ground, and serial communication lines, are properly connected to the corresponding pins on the Arduino. This setup enables communication between the Arduino and the LoRa module for transmitting and receiving data wirelessly using the LoRa technology.

This is the LoRa Ra-02 433Mhz transceiver module and its NSS, SCK, MOSI, and MISO pins are connected to the Arduino pins 10, 13, 11, and 12. The reset pin of the LoRa module is connected to the Arduino pin 9.

Arduino development board

And its 3.3V and GND pins are connected to the Arduino 3.3V and GND pins. And don’t forget to add these 22uF and 0.1uF decoupling capacitors.




Circuit diagram for connecting a 5V buzzer with an Arduino. The diagram shows a connection between one of the Arduino's digital output pins and the positive terminal of the buzzer. A resistor is placed in series with the buzzer to limit the current flow, and the negative terminal of the buzzer is connected to the Arduino's ground (GND) pin.

A 5V buzzer is connected to the Arduino Pin D8 and I am using 2n2222 NPN transistor for controlling this buzzer. Connect the positive pin of the Buzzer to the 5V which is VIN and connect the GND pin of the Buzzer to the collector of 2N2222 NPN transistor. Connect emitter to the GND and connect the Base to the digital pin D8 through this 10K resistor.

Circuit diagram of a relay driver. The image illustrates the schematic representation of a relay driver circuit. It showcases the connections between an input signal or control pin, a transistor (often a NPN or PNP type), a diode (such as a flyback or freewheeling diode), and the relay coil. The circuit is designed to provide proper voltage and current control to drive the relay, allowing it to switch higher voltage or current loads.

4 relays are connected to the Arduino digital pins 4, 5, 6, and 7. Connections of all the relays are same. The type of relays I am using are SPDT and these are 5V relays. I am using the same transistor 2n2222. You might be thinking why am I using 2n2222 NPN transistor, so if you want to know why am I using this transistor and how to perform the calculations then you should read my article on different types of relays and how to use them. Anyway, there is a freewheeling diode connected across the coil pins used against back EMF protection. And this is a terminal block labeled as T Block for connecting AC or DC loads.



A 5V power supply for Arduino. The image depicts a compact power supply unit specifically designed for Arduino boards. It features an input port, output port, and an LED indicator to signify power status. The power supply provides a stable 5V DC voltage to ensure proper operation of the Arduino and connected components.

This is a 5V and 3A power supply based on the MP1584EN-LF-Z. I have already explained this in my previous article. In that article, I have also explained how to get different voltages at the output.

An image showing an SSD1306 OLED display module connected to an Arduino board using male headers. The picture displays the OLED module and the Arduino board positioned side by side, with the male headers establishing the electrical connection between them. The SSD1306 OLED module features a small display screen that can be programmed to show text, graphics, or other visual information, making it a popular choice for various Arduino projects.

The GND and VCC pins of the SSD1306 Oled display module are connected to the Arduino GND and 3.3V, whereas the SCL and SDA pins of the Oled display module are connected to the Arduino A5 and A4 pins. A5 is the SCL and A4 is the SDA. And all the other headers are for connecting sensors, breakout boards, power supply wires. So, that’s all about the connections.



Arduino Development Board PCB Designing:

Anyway, after creating the Schematic. Then I switched over to the PCB designing document, I defined the PCB board size and re-arranged all the components. Using Altium Designer you can automatically route all the wires.

Image of an Arduino development board PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design created in Altium. The picture displays the layout of the PCB, showcasing the arrangement of electronic components such as microcontrollers, resistors, capacitors, connectors, and other circuitry. Altium is a software tool used for designing and manufacturing PCBs.

Finally, before generating the Gerber files, I activated the 3D layout mode by pressing number 3 on the keyboard.

An Arduino Projects Development Board featuring a compact design with various components. It includes a 5V 3A power supply, relays for controlling external devices, a LoRa module for long-range communication, an OLED display for visual feedback, and a buzzer for audio notifications.

I double-checked all the connections and once satisfied. I again activated the 2D layout mode by pressing number 2 on the keyboard.

Finally, I was ready to generate the PCB Gerber files and the NC Drill files. I have demonstrated this in the video tutorial given at the end of this article.

Anyway, after generating the Gerber files, I placed an online order on the PCBWay official website, I have also demonstrated this in the video.



SMD Components Sourcing:

For the components sourcing you will need BOM or Bill of Materials which you can generate in just a few seconds. Simply, go to Reports Menu and click on Bill of Materials. Altium designer will generate a complete BOM file for you.

A demonstration of generating a BOM (Bill of Materials) file in Altium Designer. The image displays the Altium Designer interface with a BOM report being generated. The software extracts and organizes a list of components used in the PCB design, including their part numbers, descriptions, quantities, and other relevant information. The BOM file is a valuable resource for procurement, inventory management, and manufacturing processes.

Save this file and send it to a distributor and they will arrange all the components for you. In my case, I sent my BOM file to SunFounder and Ai-Thinker.

An Arduino development board PCB (Printed Circuit Board) designed for prototyping and building projects. The image shows the physical layout of the PCB, featuring various electronic components, connectors, and traces that facilitate the connections and functionality of the Arduino board.

And these are the PCBs I received from PCBway. As you can see the quality is really great. The silkscreen is quite clear and the Solder mask looks amazing and along with the PCBs I also received the SMD Stencil.




PCB Soldering:

Now, that I have all the required components, PCBs, and tools so first, I started off by applying the soldering paste onto the PCB using SMD Stencil. I used the AMAOE solder paste.

A demonstration of how to apply solder paste for SMD (Surface Mount Device) soldering. The image shows a close-up view of a hand holding a solder paste dispenser above a circuit board. The solder paste, a sticky mixture of flux and tiny solder particles, is being carefully applied to the SMD pads on the board using a controlled technique. This step is essential for precise and accurate soldering of surface mount components onto the PCB.

Next, I placed all the smd components onto the PCB with the help of my Andonstar digital Microscope and I used Non-magnetic ESD tweezers.

A demonstration of placing SMD (Surface Mount Device) components on a PCB (Printed Circuit Board). The image shows a close-up view of a person's hand holding tweezers or a placement tool, carefully positioning small SMD components onto designated pads on the PCB. This step is part of the assembly process in which the SMD components are accurately placed before soldering to create the electronic circuit.

Next, I turned ON my Kada 2018d+ SMD Rework station, I set the air-flow speed at 2 and the temperature at around 380C0.

If you are just getting started with SMD soldering then you can read my article on SMD soldering for beginners. And in that article, I have explained how to apply solder with and without using an SMT Stencil, how to place smd components, what is the recommend air flow speed and temperature. That article will really help you in getting started with SMD components soldering.

How to Make Arduino Development Board with 5v 3A Power Supply

The soldering is completed and it doesn’t look bad. Anyway, I used my digital multimeter to check for any short circuits and I also checked the continuity. I double-checked all the connections using my Andonstar Digital Microscope.

Anyway, before I insert the Arduino Nano and Oled display module into those female headers, first I am going to check the Power supply voltage.

A 5V 3A power supply designed specifically for Arduino boards and projects. It provides a stable and reliable power source to ensure proper functioning and performance.

The voltage is ok and now I can use the Arduino and Oled display module.

A DIY Arduino development kit. The image shows a collection of components and modules assembled to create a customized Arduino development kit. It includes an Arduino board, breadboard, various electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, sensors, and modules like LCD displays or motor drivers. This DIY kit offers flexibility and versatility for individuals to build and experiment with Arduino-based projects according to their specific needs and interests.

So, this is the final look of my designed Arduino Development board. Now, let’s go ahead and check if all the components on this development board are working.



Arduino Development board Testing:

An Arduino development board designed for creating, testing, and prototyping projects. The image showcases a compact board with multiple components and connectors. It includes microcontrollers, input/output pins, power supply connectors, programming ports, and various other features essential for building and testing Arduino-based projects.

For testing this board, I have connected a potentiometer with the analog pin A0 of the Arduino. I am going to print its value on the Oled display Module and when the value is going to exceed a certain threshold value the buzzer will turn ON and the 220Vac bulb connected to the relay will also turn ON.

Code for the Testing:

#include <SPI.h>              // include libraries
#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_SSD1306.h>

int Buzzer = 8;
int Potentiometer = A0;

int relay1 = 4;
int relay2 = 5;
int relay3 = 6;
int relay4 = 7;

boolean relay1flag = false;
boolean buzzerflag = false;
#define SCREEN_WIDTH 128 // ORelay display width, in pixels
#define SCREEN_HEIGHT 64 // ORelay display height, in pixels

// Declaration for an SSD1306 display connected to I2C (SDA, SCL pins)
#define ORelay_RESET     -1 // Reset pin # (or -1 if sharing Arduino reset pin)
Adafruit_SSD1306 display(SCREEN_WIDTH, SCREEN_HEIGHT, &Wire, ORelay_RESET);

void setup() {
  // put your setup code here, to run once:
  Serial.begin(9600);
  Serial.println(" inside setup");
  pinMode(Buzzer, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(Potentiometer, INPUT);
  
  pinMode(relay1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relay2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relay3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(relay4, OUTPUT);

  display.begin(SSD1306_SWITCHCAPVCC, 0x3C);
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.setTextColor(WHITE);


}

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly:

int PotValue = analogRead( Potentiometer);
Serial.println(PotValue);
display.clearDisplay();
display.setCursor(10,10);  
display.setTextSize(3);
display.setTextColor(WHITE);
display.print("V:"+String(PotValue));
display.display();
delay(1000);  
     
  if (PotValue < 400)
{
digitalWrite(relay1, LOW);
digitalWrite(Buzzer, LOW);
delay(1000);
} 

  if ( ((PotValue >= 400)&& (PotValue < 600)))
{
digitalWrite(relay1, HIGH);
delay(1000);
} 

  if (PotValue >= 600)
{
digitalWrite(relay1, HIGH);
digitalWrite(Buzzer, HIGH);
delay(1000);
} 

}



Practical Demonstration:

I am going to power up my Arduino development board using a 12Vdc adaptor.

An Arduino development board designed for creating Arduino-based projects. The image depicts a versatile development board with multiple components and connectors. It includes a microcontroller, input/output pins, power supply ports, programming interfaces, and other features necessary for designing, building, and testing Arduino projects.

I successfully tested the relays, Buzzer, and Oled display module.

A demonstration of controlling a 110-220V AC bulb using Arduino. The image depicts a setup with an Arduino board connected to a relay module and an AC bulb. The Arduino is programmed to control the relay, which acts as a switch to turn the bulb on or off. This setup enables the automation and remote control of the AC bulb's operation using the Arduino platform.

I also used my 4S lithium Ion battery with this development board. The power supply on this development board accepts wide range of input voltage between 7 and 28 volts.

An Arduino LoRa development board. The image showcases a specialized Arduino board designed for LoRa (Long Range) communication. It features a microcontroller, LoRa module, input/output pins, power supply connectors, and other components specifically tailored for creating projects that utilize the LoRa wireless technology for long-range communication.

And by the way, in my next article and video, I will check the LoRa and its communication range using these different types of antennas. So, consider subscribing if you don’t want to miss any of my upcoming videos. So, that’s all for now.



Watch Video Tutorial:

Engr Fahad

My name is Shahzada Fahad and I am an Electrical Engineer. I have been doing Job in UAE as a site engineer in an Electrical Construction Company. Currently, I am running my own YouTube channel "Electronic Clinic", and managing this Website. My Hobbies are * Watching Movies * Music * Martial Arts * Photography * Travelling * Make Sketches and so on...

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