Why the Newest Arduino Nano Boards Use the ATmega4809 Over ATmega328

Introduction

The transition from the ATmega328 to the ATmega4809 in the newest Arduino Nano boards marks a significant technological leap, offering developers a more powerful and versatile platform for their projects. This article explores the reasons behind this change and delves into the advantages of the ATmega4809 over its predecessor.

The Shift to ATmega4809

The decision to incorporate the ATmega4809 into the latest Arduino Nano boards is primarily driven by a combination of enhanced features, performance improvements, and better compatibility with modern programming practices.

Increased Memory

The ATmega4809 boasts a significant increase in memory compared to the ATmega328. It features 48 KB of Flash memory and 6 KB of SRAM, nearly doubling the storage available in the ATmega328. This additional memory allows for the execution of more complex applications and a larger codebase, enabling developers to implement sophisticated functionalities without compromising performance.

More I/O Pins

The ATmega4809 includes 20 I/O pins, providing a substantial boost in connectivity and versatility. In comparison, the ATmega328 offers only 20 I/O pins as well but the ATmega4809 uses these more efficiently, facilitating the connection of more peripherals and sensors. This design flexibility makes the Nano boards highly adaptable to a wide range of projects, from simple to complex.

Improved Performance

One of the key improvements in the ATmega4809 is its enhanced performance capabilities. With a clock speed up to 20 MHz, the ATmega4809 can execute instructions faster than the ATmega328, which typically operates at 16 MHz. This higher clock speed translates to better overall performance, particularly for demanding applications that require real-time processing and quick response times.

Enhanced Features

The ATmega4809 also includes several advanced features that make it an ideal choice for modern projects. These features include improved timers, a more robust analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and support for additional communication protocols such as I2C and SPI. These enhancements are particularly beneficial for Internet of Things (IoT) applications and advanced projects that require precise timing and data conversion.

Modern Architecture

The ATmega4809 is part of the newer AVR architecture, which provides improved efficiency and better support for modern programming techniques. This modern architecture allows developers to take full advantage of Arduinos newer libraries and frameworks, streamlining the development process and providing a more intuitive programming experience.

Compatibility with New IDE Features

Another advantage of the ATmega4809 is its compatibility with the latest features in the Arduino Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The newer boards can leverage these features, providing better development experiences and allowing for more seamless integration with modern programming tools and methodologies.

Arduino Nano Every - The Next Generation

The new boards are known as the “Arduino Nano Every,” and they represent an evolution in Arduino technology. The 4809 microcontroller offers a clean and modular design, and many of its advanced features are not immediately visible due to the limitations of the Arduino software library. Instead, the library aims to present the 4809 as a direct replacement for the existing and not yet discontinued Nano boards. For example, the 4809 requires no crystal, which saves components and allows the Nano Every to be sold at a much lower price.

Architectural Differences

It's important to note that while the ATmega4809 has a clean and efficient design, its architecture is fundamentally different from the ATmega328, particularly at the lowest levels. The software library provides compatibility but at a cost, and programs need to be rewritten to fully exploit the capabilities of the 4809. When using this board, a completely different Arduino library must be linked in to take full advantage of all its features.

Conclusion

The transition to the ATmega4809 in the latest Arduino Nano boards represents a significant technological advancement, offering developers a more capable platform for their projects. While the change requires some adjustments, the benefits in terms of memory, I/O pins, performance, and added features make it a compelling choice for modern projects. As the technology continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how developers incorporate these new features into their innovations.

Interested in learning more about the ATmega4809? Stay tuned for a detailed "deep dive" into this microcontroller in the near future.