Contributors:
Nate,
Ell C IntroductionLeveraging the ultra powerful Artemis Module, the SparkFun MicroMod Artemis Processor is the brain board of your dreams. With a Cortex-M4F with BLE 5.0 running up to 96MHz and with as low power as 6uA per MHz (less than 5mW), the M.2 MicroMod connector allows you to plug in a MicroMod Carrier Board with any number of peripherals. Let's have a look at what this processor board has to offer!
Required MaterialsIn addition to your MicroMod Artemis Processor Board, you'll need a carrier board to get started. Here we use the Machine Learning Carrier Board, but there are a number of others you can choose from.
You'll also need a USB-C cable to connect the Carrier to your computer and if you want to add some Qwiic breakouts to your MicroMod project you'll want at least one Qwiic cable to connect it all together. Below are some options for both of those cables:
SparkFun Qwiic Cable Kit KIT-15081To make it even easier to get started, we've assembled this Qwiic Cable Kit with a variety of Qwiic cables from 50mm to 500mm…
USB 3.1 Cable A to C - 3 Foot CAB-14743USB C is fantastic. But until we have converted all our hubs, chargers, and ports over to USB C this is the cable you're goin…
Reversible USB A to C Cable - 2m CAB-15424These 2m cables have minor modifications that allow them to be be plugged into their ports regardless of orientation on the U…
Depending on which Carrier Board you choose, you may need a few extra peripherals to take full advantage of them. Refer to the Carrier Boards' respective Hookup Guides for specific peripheral recommendations.
Suggested ReadingThe SparkFun MicroMod ecosystem is a unique way to allow users to customize their project to their needs. Do you want to send your weather data via a wireless signal (eg. Bluetooth or WiFi)? There's a MicroMod processor for that. Looking to instead maximize efficiency and processing power? You guessed it, there's a MicroMod processor for that. If you are not familiar with the MicroMod system, take a look here:
We also recommend taking a look through the following tutorials if you are not familiar with the concepts covered in them:
Getting Started with MicroModDive into the world of MicroMod - a compact interface to connect a microcontroller to various peripherals via the M.2 Connector!
Designing with MicroModThis tutorial will walk you through the specs of the MicroMod processor and carrier board as well as the basics of incorporating the MicroMod form factor into your own PCB designs!
Hardware OverviewWhile the Artemis module is pretty self-contained, let's have a look at a few of the unique features of this MicroMod Processor Board.
PowerPower is supplied by the carrier board, but it should be noted that all pins are 3.3V.
⚡
Warning:All pins are
3.3V. DO NOT expose the pins to 5V.
The ADC on the Artemis is 0-2V. Exposing an ADC pin to 3.3V will not harm the device but the ADC will saturate returning 16,383 (14-bit) for voltages greater than 2V.
M.2 ConnectorAll of our MicroMod Processor boards come equipped with the M.2 MicroMod Connector, which leverages the M.2 standard and specification to allow you to install your MicroMod Processor board on your choice of carrier board.
Artemis ProcessorThe SparkFun Artemis Processor provides a Cortex-M4F with BLE 5.0 running up to 96MHz and with as low power as 6uA per MHz (less than 5mW). This module is powerful enough to run TensorFlow, Machine Learning, and all sorts of voice recognition software. A deep dive into all of Artemis's delightful features can be found in the Designing with the SparkFun Artemis tutorial.
Op AmpIncoming analog voltages over 2V will saturate the Artemis's analog to digital converter. We've integrated an OpAmp to scale the incoming 0-3.3V voltages down to the 0-2V range that the Artemis can handle.
RTCAn onboard RTC crystal has been integrated.
Status LEDWe've also included a Status LED for all your blinky needs.
Artemis MicroMod Processor Pin Functionality Note:You may not recognize the COPI/CIPO labels for SPI pins. SparkFun is working to move away from using MISO/MOSI to describe signals between the controller and the peripheral. Check out
this pagefor more on our reasoning behind this change.
The board measures 22mm x 22mm, with 15mm to the top notch and 12mm to the E key. For more information regarding the processor board physical standards, head on over to the Getting Started with MicroMod tutorial and check out the Hardware Overview section.
Hardware HookupTo get started with the Artemis MicroMod Processor Board, you'll need a carrier board. Here we are using the Machine Learning Carrier Board. Align the top key of the MicroMod Artemis Processor Board to the screw terminal of the Machine Learning Carrier Board and angle the board into the socket. Insert the board at an angle into the M.2 connector.
Note: There is no way to insert the processor backward since the key prevents it from mating with the M.2 connector and as an extra safeguard to prevent inserting a processor that matches the key, the mounting screw is offset so you will not be able to secure an improperly connected processor board.
The Processor Board will stick up at an angle, as seen here:
Once the board is in the socket, gently push the MicroMod Processor Board down and tighten the screw with a Phillip's head.
Once the board is secure, your assembled MicroMod system should look similar to the image below!
Connecting Everything UpWith your processor inserted and secured it's time to connect your carrier board to your computer using the USB-C connector on the Carrier. Depending on which carrier you choose and which drivers you already have installed, you may need to install drivers.
Note:If you've never connected a
CH340device to your computer before, you may need to install drivers for the USB-to-serial converter. Check out our section on
"How to Install CH340 Drivers"for help with the installation.
Software Setup Note:This example assumes you are using the latest version of the Arduino IDE on your desktop. If this is your first time using Arduino, please review our tutorial on
installing the Arduino IDE. Installing the Arduino Core for Apollo3To get started with the Artemis MicroMod Processor Board, you'll need to install the SparkFun Apollo3 Arduino Core. Open the Arduino IDE (must be v1.8.13 or later) and navigate to File->Preferences, like so:
Having a hard time seeing? Click the image for a closer look.
In the "Additional Board Manager URL" box, make sure you have the following json file:
language:c
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sparkfun/Arduino_Apollo3/main/package_sparkfun_apollo3_index.json
If you have more than one json file, you can click on the button outlined in red and add the json link at the end. It'll look something like the following:
Having a hard time seeing? Click the image for a closer look.
Having a hard time seeing? Click the image for a closer look.
Search for "Apollo3", and you should find the SparkFun Apollo3 Boards board package. Make sure the Version 1.2.1 is selected and click Install.
Having a hard time seeing? Click the image for a closer look.
Installation may take a few minutes -- included in the install are all necessary source files for the Arduino core and Apollo3 libraries, plus all of the compiler and software-upload tools you'll need to use the Artemis with Arduino.
Once the board definitions have been installed, you should see the Artemis MicroMod Processor board under your Tools -> Board -> SparkFun Apollo3 menu.
Having a hard time seeing? Click the image for a closer look.
Example 1: Blink Note:This example assumes you are using the latest version of the Arduino IDE on your desktop. If this is your first time using Arduino, please review our tutorial on
installing the Arduino IDE.If you have not previously installed an Arduino library, please check out our
installation guide.To get started uploading code and working with your Machine Learning Carrier Board, make sure you have the Artemis MicroMod board definition selected under your Tools > Board menu (or whatever processor you've chosen to use).
Having a hard time seeing? Click the image for a closer look.
Then select your serial port under the Tools > Port menu.
Loading BlinkLet's start with something basic - let's blink an LED. Go to File->Examples->01.Basics->Blink.
Having a hard time seeing? Click the image for a closer look.
With everything setup correctly, upload the code! Once the code finishes transferring, you should see the STAT LED on the Artemis Processor Board begin to blink!
If the blue LED remains off, it's probably still sitting in the bootloader. After uploading a sketch, you may need to tap the reset button to get your Artemis MicroMod to run the sketch.
Look at all the blinks!
Example 2: PDMWe've built the Arduino core for Artemis from the ground up and a large number of our built-in examples will work out of the box with the Artemis MicroMod Processor Board. You'll find them under File->Examples->'Examples for SparkFun Artemis MicroMod'.
Let's run a quick one from the examples here and take advantage of the two built in microphones on the Machine Learning Carrier Board we're using. Go to File->Examples->PDM->Example1_MicrophoneOutput
Click above image for full menu context
Make sure you have the correct board and port selected, and then upload the code. Once the code finishes transferring, open the serial monitor and set the baud rate to 115200. You should see something like the following:
Having a hard time seeing? Click the image for a closer look.
Notice that if you hoot and holler, the output changes.
Within the 'Examples for SparkFun Artemis Micromod' menu, we've got examples for setting up multiple I2C ports (it's amazingly easy), writing to EEPROM, using SoftwareSerial (all 48 pins can be serial!), using the the onboard microphone, and using servos (up to 32!). We're adding more all the time so be sure to keep your core up to date.
Further ExamplesWith the MicroMod system, the possibilities for examples with all the processor/carrier board are endless, and we just can't cover them all. You'll notice that in this tutorial, we've selected the Machine Learning Carrier Board, but have focused our examples on the Artemis Processor Board. If you're interested in examples specifically for our carrier board, head on over to our Machine Learning Carrier Board Hookup Guide.
Troubleshooting Not working as expected and need help?If you need technical assistance and more information on a product that is not working as you expected, we recommend heading on over to the SparkFun Technical Assistance page for some initial troubleshooting.
If you don't find what you need there, the SparkFun Forums: MicroMod are a great place to find and ask for help. If this is your first visit, you'll need to create a Forum Account to search product forums and post questions.
Resources and Going FurtherWant more information on the Artemis MicroMod Processor Board? Check out these links!
MicroMod Documentation:
Artemis Documentation:
Looking for some project inspiration using your Artemis Processor Board? The tutorials below can help you get started!
Designing with MicroModThis tutorial will walk you through the specs of the MicroMod processor and carrier board as well as the basics of incorporating the MicroMod form factor into your own PCB designs!
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