This new shield simplifies the integration of Arduino Portenta's functionality with MIKROE’s extensive range of over 1600 Click board peripheral add-on boards. Equipped with two mikroBUS sockets, the shield allows developers to incorporate a wide variety of functions, from sensors and communication modules to advanced audio processing and motor control, into the powerful Arduino Portenta.
Nebojsa Matic, CEO of MIKROE, commented: “This Click shield provides a cost-effective and versatile platform for users to experiment with new ideas and build prototypes leveraging the dual-core capability of the STM32H747 processor in Portenta. These boards support a variety of development environments and are particularly suited for high-performance industrial applications, blending low power consumption with advanced features like machine learning and IoT connectivity.”
The Arduino Portenta supports simultaneous execution of Arduino code and MicroPython, providing robust connectivity options like WiFi, BLE, and optional LoRa or cellular modules. Its modular design enhances adaptability for additional hardware, making it suitable for industrial use in challenging environments such as machinery, PLCs, and robotics. Furthermore, Portenta is capable of handling AI and machine learning applications, enabling the implementation of intelligent IoT solutions directly on the device.
The Click Shield offers several essential features to enhance the board's functionality and usability. The Boot mode switch (BT SEL switch) allows users to configure the board’s boot mode, while a JTAG connector facilitates straightforward debugging and low-level tasks or special firmware updates via an external programmer. The shield’s I2S pins are ideal for high-quality audio processing and streaming, adding significant value for developers working on advanced multimedia projects.
The Click Shield for Portenta features three crucial connectors that greatly expand the board's capabilities. The Ethernet connector enables Portenta to connect to the internet via an Ethernet cable, facilitating robust network interactions such as sending HTTP methods or communicating with other devices and APIs. Additionally, the shield includes a camera connector, allowing for the rapid development of machine vision applications. This enables Portenta to function as an industrial camera capable of executing real-time machine-learning algorithms on live video feeds. Thanks to the MicroSD card holder on the Click Shield, captured frames can be encoded to bitmap standards and saved to an SD card, while configuration files can also be read from the SD card, enhancing the board's utility in complex projects.
