The Pro Mini nRF52 (nRF52832) is a compact and versatile microcontroller board that combines the power of the nRF52 series SoC (System on a Chip) with the familiar Arduino programming environment. This board is designed for projects that require Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity and low power consumption. This blog will show you the complete process to use the Pro Mini nRF52 (nRF52832) with the Arduino IDE and get started with programming. 

Before we start with the steps, lets have the basic knowledge of Arduino IDE and nrf52832 chip. 

Also, you can check our previous blog on >Complete guide to start your programming journey with nrf52 to get started with this chip.

What is Arduino IDE

The Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a software application that provides a user-friendly interface for writing, compiling, and uploading code to Arduino boards. It simplifies the process of creating and programming electronic projects by providing a set of libraries and functions that make it easy to interact with various sensors, actuators, and other components. The IDE offers a simple and intuitive programming environment, making it accessible for beginners while still offering advanced features for more experienced users. It supports a wide range of Arduino-compatible boards, allowing users to develop and deploy their projects with ease.

Pro Mini nRF52 (nRF52832) 

The Pro Mini nRF52 (nRF52832) is a compact development board based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52832 microcontroller. It provides Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connectivity and is suitable for creating wireless communication solutions like IoT devices and wearable gadgets. It has a range of features and can be programmed using the Nordic Semiconductor nRF5 Software Development Kit (SDK). nRF52832 comes with 32-bit, generous memory of 512KB and superfast speed. 

As we have now gathered basic knowledge on both nRF52832 and Arduino IDE. now its time to move ahade and khow the process to use Pro Mini nRF52 (nRF52832) with the Arduino IDE

Connecting Arduino IDE to the Pro Mini nRF52 board.

Before diving into the tutorial, make sure you have the following items ready:

Prerequisites:

• Pro Mini nRF52 (nRF52832) board

• USB-to-Serial converter (e.g., FT232RL)

• Arduino IDE (version 1.8.13 or later)

• USB cable

Step 1: Installing the Arduino IDE:

If you haven't already, download and install the latest version of the Arduino IDE from the official Arduino website (https://www.arduino.cc/en/software). Follow the installation instructions specific to your operating system.

Step 2: Add nRF52 Board Support:

To utilize the Pro Mini nRF52 board, we need to incorporate the nRF52 board support package into the Arduino IDE. Follow these simple steps:

• Launching the Arduino IDE.

• Navigate to "File" > "Preferences" (or "Arduino" > "Preferences" on macOS).

• In the "Additional Boards Manager URLs" field, enter the following URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/sandeepmistry/arduino-nRF5/package_nRF5_boards_index.json

• Click "OK" to save the changes and close the Preferences window.

Step 3: Install the nRF52 Board Package:

Now, we will use the Arduino Boards Manager to install the nRF52 board package, enabling compatibility with the Pro Mini nRF52.

• Go to "Tools" > "Board" > "Boards Manager".

• In the Boards Manager window, enter "nRF52" in the search bar.

• Look for "nRF5 by Sandeep Mistry" and click on it.

• Click the "Install" button to initiate the installation process.

• Once the installation is complete, close the Boards Manager window.

Step 4: Connect the Pro Mini nRF52:

Now, let's establish the physical connection between the Pro Mini nRF52 and your computer using a USB-to-Serial converter.

• Connect the VCC pin of the Pro Mini nRF52 to the 3.3V output of the USB-to-Serial converter.

• Connect the GND pin of the Pro Mini nRF52 to the GND pin of the USB-to-Serial converter.

• Connect the TX pin of the Pro Mini nRF52 to the RX pin of the USB-to-Serial converter.

• Connect the RX pin of the Pro Mini nRF52 to the TX pin of the USB-to-Serial converter.

• If your USB-to-Serial converter has a DTR pin, connect it to the RST pin of the Pro Mini nRF52. This enables automatic resetting of the board when uploading new sketches.

• Finally, connect the USB-to-Serial converter to your computer using a USB cable.

Step 5: Select the Board and Port:

Let's configure the Arduino IDE to recognize and work with the Pro Mini nRF52 board.

• Go to "Tools" > "Board" and scroll down until you find "Arduino Pro Mini".

• From the submenu, select "Pro Mini nRF52 (nRF52832)" to set the correct board type.

• Next, go to "Tools" > "Port" and select the port associated with your USB-to-Serial converter.

Step 6: Test the Blink Example:

Now, let's upload a basic "Blink" example to the Pro Mini nRF52 to ensure everything is working correctly.

• Open the "Blink" example by going to "File" > "Examples" > "01.Basics" > "Blink".

• In the code, ensure that the board is set to "Pro Mini nRF52".

• Click the "Upload" button or select "Sketch" > "Upload" to compile and upload the code to the board.

• If the upload is successful, the LED on the Pro Mini nRF52 should start blinking.

Congratulations! You have successfully set up the Pro Mini nRF52 with the Arduino IDE. With this foundation, you can now explore the extensive possibilities and features of the nRF52 platform. Take advantage of its BLE capabilities and low power consumption to create innovative projects and applications.

This guide provides a starting point, and as you progress, you can delve into more advanced programming techniques, utilize additional libraries, and explore the vast Arduino ecosystem to enhance your projects further. Let your creativity flourish as you unlock the full potential of the Pro Mini nRF52 with the Arduino IDE!