STM8S003 Development Board is an Arduino Nano-sized board

Andriy Malyshenko, a cloud architect and self-described “maker and tinkerer at nights,” has taken up the challenge of addressing component shortages during the chip crisis. In response to the inflated prices of Microcontroller Units (MCUs) due to the shortage, Malyshenko sought out affordable and readily available alternatives. His efforts have resulted in the creation of the STM8S003 Development Board, a compact and Arduino Nano-sized board based on the STM8S003F3 microcontroller. This board offers not only reasonable performance and low power consumption but also a range of features, including a 16MHz clock speed, 8kB of flash memory, 1kB of RAM, and 128 bytes of EEPROM. Communication protocols like SPI, I2C, and UART are also supported.

The primary objective behind designing this board was to ensure low-cost production combined with ease of use. The board’s pinout closely mimics that of the Arduino Nano, and it boasts compatibility with the Arduino IDE, making it a convenient drop-in replacement for the popular Arduino Nano and its compatible boards. As such, existing Arduino projects can be effortlessly ported to this STM8S003 Development Board.

Features

• STM8S003F3 8-bit MCU in a 20-pin package
• Up to 16 MHz CPU clock
• 8 KB Flash
• 1 KB SRAM
• 128B of EEPROM
• SWIM interface for flashing and debugging
• Onboard 5V LDO (disconnected for low power applications)
• Flash using Arduino IDE, Platformio, or the IDE of your choice
• Onboard USB-Serial bridge (CH340E) connected to hardware Serial port
• One RGB LED (WS2812B)
• One Push button

The board’s small form factor and integration-friendly design make it suitable for projects of all sizes. It includes essential components for the microcontroller, such as a micro-USB port for both power and data transfer, linked to a CH340E USB-UART bridge chip, and an STMicroelectronics SWIM single-wire programming and debug interface.

Overall, the STM8S003 Development Board provides an affordable and user-friendly platform for both hobbyists and professionals. With its impressive features and support for popular communication protocols, it meets the needs of various projects and applications. Moreover, its compatibility with the Arduino IDE opens up access to a vast community of developers, numerous libraries, and useful tools, making it an excellent choice for newcomers to programming as well.

In conclusion, Andriy Malyshenko’s STM8S003 Development Board is a noteworthy solution to tackle the challenges posed by component shortages. By providing a low-cost, high-performance, and versatile alternative to the Arduino Nano, it empowers enthusiasts and experts alike to bring their ideas to life easily and efficiently. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, this board offers a promising platform for innovation and creativity.

The schematics and firmware can be found on the project’s GitHub repository under the reciprocal GNU General Public License 2.

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