What is Arduino Portenta H7?
The Arduino Portenta H7 is an important addition to the Arduino professional series. It is built for projects that need strong processing power and the ability to handle tasks in real time. Unlike standard Arduino boards, this industrial IoT development board uses a dual-core design. This setup lets it manage complex programming work and time-sensitive operations at the same time.
At the heart of the board is the STM32H747XI microcontroller. It includes an ARM Cortex-M7 processor that runs at 480 MHz and an ARM Cortex-M4 processor at 240 MHz. With this dual-core system, you can run Arduino code along with MicroPython scripts. The two processors communicate smoothly using a method called Remote Procedure Call.
The board keeps the well-known Arduino MKR shape but adds the Portenta family's 80-pin high-density connectors. This makes it work with existing MKR accessories and expands its use in industrial settings. As an edge AI Arduino board, it works well for tasks like computer vision, robot controls, and advanced machinery, where regular microcontrollers may not be enough.
Key Features of the Arduino Portenta H7 Board
The Arduino Portenta H7 stands out from other development boards through its impressive array of features designed for professional and industrial applications.
- Dual-Core Power for Smooth Multitasking: At the heart of the Arduino Portenta H7 is its dual-core setup, which lets one core tackle things like machine learning while the other handles tasks that need to happen right away. This means you can run complex projects without everything grinding to a halt.
- Graphics Boost for Visual Projects: Imagine hooking up a screen to your board and building a minicomputer with its interface β that's possible thanks to the built-in Chrom-ART Acceleratorβ’ GPU. Plus, with tools for handling JPEG images, it's perfect if you're into camera-based projects or anything that involves displays.
- Wireless Options to Stay Connected: What sets this Arduino microcontroller apart is its built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. You get fast WiFi speeds up to 65 Mbps and Bluetooth 5.1, so integrating it into smart systems orΒ IoTΒ setups is straightforward. It can even act as a WiFi hotspot, connect to networks, or do both at once for more flexible use.
- Strong Security features: Security matters, especially in professional setups, and the Arduino Portenta H7 offers choices like the Microchip ATECC608A for easy app integration or the NXP SE050C2 for top-level protection. This makes it reliable for projects where data safety is key.
- Expanded Memory: The board supports extra memory options, including up to 64MB of SDRAM that's easy for the processor to access and up to 128MB of QSPI flash for storing and running programs efficiently.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Microcontroller | STM32H747XI dual Cortex-M7+M4 32-bit MCU |
| Clock Speed | M7: 480 MHz, M4: 240 MHz |
| Memory | 2MB Flash, 1MB RAM |
| External Memory | 16MB QSPI Flash, up to 64MB SDRAM |
| Wireless | WiFi 802.11b/g/n (65 Mbps), Bluetooth 5.1 |
| USB | USB-C with Host/Device, DisplayPort out |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V circuit, 5V power supply |
| Digital I/O Pins | 22 pins |
| Analog Inputs | 8 pins with 16-bit resolution |
| PWM Pins | 10 pins |
| Communication | 4x UART, I2C, SPI, Ethernet PHY |
| ADC | 3x ADCs, up to 36 channels, 3.6 MSPS |
| DAC | 2x 12-bit DAC (1 MHz) |
| Timers | 22x timers and watchdogs |
| Operating Temperature | -40Β°C to +85Β°C |
| Dimensions | 25mm x 66mm |
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Arduino Portenta H7 Pinout and Connectivity Options
The Arduino Portenta H7 is a powerful microcontroller board designed for industrial and IoT applications, featuring a comprehensive pinout that supports a wide range of connectivity options. Below is a detailed pinout diagram, followed by definitions for each category of pins.
Key Pin Categories and Definitions
- Ground Pins (Black): These pins provide a common reference point (0V) for electrical circuits, essential for completing connections and ensuring stable power distribution. They help prevent noise and ground loops in complex setups, making them crucial for reliable sensor integration and power management.
- Internal Pins (Gray): Reserved for internal board functions, these pins handle communication between the microcontroller's core components, such as debugging interfaces or firmware updates. They are not typically user-accessible for external connections but support advanced diagnostics and system-level operations.
- Digital Pins (Orange): Versatile input/output pins that operate in binary states (high/low or 0/1), used for controlling LEDs, buttons, motors, or digital sensors. They support PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for tasks like dimming lights or speed control, offering flexibility for basic to intermediate projects.
- Analog Pins (Yellow): Designed for reading continuous voltage levels (0-3.3V or similar), these pins are ideal for interfacing with analog sensors like temperature probes or potentiometers. They enable precise data acquisition, converting real-world signals into digital values for processing.
- Microcontroller's Port (Green): These ports connect directly to the board's dual-core STM32H747 microcontroller, facilitating high-speed data transfer and peripheral access. They support protocols like SPI, I2C, and UART, enabling seamless integration with external modules for applications in AI and machine learning.
- High Density Connector (Red): Specialized connectors with a high pin count for compact, high-bandwidth connections, often used for expansion boards or industrial interfaces. They support Ethernet, USB, and camera modules, providing robust options for networking and multimedia projects.
- Other Pins (Purple): Miscellaneous pins that include power inputs (e.g., VIN or 5V), reset pins, or specialized functions like interrupts. They offer additional utility for custom configurations, such as battery charging or external power regulation.
This pinout enhances the Portenta H7's versatility, supporting connectivity options like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, and Ethernet for seamless integration into screen-free coding projects or IoT systems. For optimal use, always refer to the official Arduino documentation to avoid electrical conflicts.
What is the difference between Arduino Portenta H7 and H7 Lite?
The Arduino Portenta H7 Lite is a cost-optimized version of the standard Arduino Portenta H7, designed to make the platform more accessible while maintaining core functionality. Understanding these differences will help you determine which version best suits your project requirements and budget.
- The most significant difference lies in connectivity options. The H7 Lite removes the wireless module entirely, eliminating WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities that are standard on the regular Portenta H7. This change reduces the board cost by approximately $30 while making it suitable for applications that rely on wired connections.
- Another key difference involves the USB-C video output functionality. The H7 Lite lacks the DisplayPort output capability found in the standard version, limiting its use in applications requiring direct monitor connections. However, display connectivity remains possible through the MIPI DSI interface via expansion connectors.
- The security element also differs between versions. While the standard Portenta H7 includes the advanced NXP SE050C2 secure element, the H7 Lite uses the more basic Microchip ATECC608 chip. This change reduces security capabilities but maintains compatibility with standard Arduino security libraries.
- Both versions share the same dual-core STM32H747XI processor, memory specifications, and processing capabilities. The clock speeds, RAM, and Flash memory remain identical, ensuring that performance-critical applications can run equally well on either version.
Steps to Setup Arduino Portenta H7
Setting up your Arduino Portenta H7 for development requires several straightforward steps that will have you running your first program quickly. The process involves installing the necessary software, configuring your development environment, and verifying the connection with a simple test program.
Step 1: Install Arduino IDE
Download and install Arduino IDE 1.8.10 or newer, or use the Arduino Pro IDE 0.0.4+. The newer versions include better support for the Portenta series and provide enhanced debugging capabilities.
Step 2: Install the Arduino Mbed OS Portenta Boards Package
Open the Arduino IDE and navigate to Tools > Board > Boards Manager. Search for "Arduino Mbed OS Portenta Boards" and install the package. This installation provides the necessary core libraries and board definitions for the Portenta H7.
Step 3: Connect Your Board
Use a USB-C cable to connect your Arduino Portenta H7 to your computer. The board should appear as a connected device, and you may need to install additional drivers depending on your operating system.
Step 4: Select Board and Port
In the Arduino IDE, go to Tools > Board and select "Arduino Portenta H7 (M7 core)" for most applications. Then select the appropriate port under Tools > Port. The M7 core is typically used for main application code, while the M4 core handles real-time tasks.
Step 5: Upload Test Code
Create a new sketch and paste the classic blink example code. This simple program will verify that your setup is working correctly by blinking the built-in LED:
C++ code
void setup() {
Β pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
Β digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);
Β delay(1000);
Β digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);
Β delay(1000);
}
Step 6: Verify Operation
Upload the code to your board and observe the LED blinking. If successful, your Arduino Portenta H7 is ready for more complex projects and development work.
Conclusion
The Arduino Portenta H7 represents a significant advancement in microcontroller technology, offering unprecedented capabilities for industrial applications, edge AI development, and complex embedded systems. Its dual-core architecture, extensive connectivity options, and professional-grade features make it an ideal choice for developers who need more power than traditional Arduino boards can provide.
For those ready to take their projects to the next level, the Arduino Portenta H7 offers a perfect balance of power, versatility, and Arduino ecosystem compatibility. Its ability to run multiple programming environments simultaneously while maintaining real-time performance makes it a valuable tool for both prototyping and production deployment in professional environments.
