MEGA 2560 R3 ATMEGA16U2 ATMEGA2560-16AU Board (FS00975)

This is the new MEGA2560 R3. In addition to all the features of the previous board, the MEGA now uses an ATMega16U2 instead of the ATMega8U2 chip. This allows for faster transfer rates and more memory. No drivers needed for Linux or Mac (inf file for Windows is needed and included in the Arduino IDE), and the ability to have the Uno show up as a keyboard, mouse, joystick, etc.

The MEGA2560 R3 also adds SDA and SCL pins next to the AREF. In addition, there are two new pins placed near the RESET pin. One is the IOREF that allow the shields to adapt to the voltage provided from the board. The other is a not connected and is reserved for future purposes. The MEGA2560 R3 works with all existing shields but can adapt to new shields which use these additional pins.

Revision 3 of the board has the following new features:

• pinout: added SDA and SCL pins that are near to the AREF pin and two other new pins placed near to the RESET pin, the IOREF that allow the shields to adapt to the voltage provided from the board. In future, shields will be compatible both with the board that use the AVR, which operate with 5V and with the Arduino Due that operate with 3.3V. The second one is a not connected pin, that is reserved for future purposes.

• Stronger RESET circuit.

• Atmega 16U2 replace the 8U2.