Arduino IDE

Welcome to XinaBox. This page contains help and advice for Arduino IDE users, including:

  1. XinaBox Arduino Zero Compatible Kit (XK51)
  2. Which XinaBox Core is for you?
  3. XinaBox Getting Started Tutorials for Arduino IDE
  4. Sample Code and Projects

 

1. Arduino Zero Compatible Kit (XK51)

Our Arduino Zero Compatible Kit (XK51) is a great starting point for new users, allowing anyone coding in Arduino IDE to build devices in minutes, and access to our comprehensive eco-system of 60+ modular sensors, output, control, communication, and auxiliary xChips. The kit includes sensors for hand gestures and proximity, magnetometer and accelerometer to measure motion in 3D including vibration, an 8 channel servo driver (enough to control an autonomous car), and mini OLED display for device output. It also comes with a coin battery power pack that can power the device for months. XinaBox's CC03 Cortex M0+ xChip Core Module (SAMD21G) brings you exactly the same Micro Controller Unit (MCU) as the Arduino Zero. Together the CC03 and the IP02 Advanced USB Programming offer the native programming functionality of the Arduino Zero. It's an easy start, and all the projects at the bottom of this page can be built with the kit components.

 

2. Which XinaBox Core is for you?

XinaBox currently provides 6 cores (aka MCU or Micro Controller Units), all of which are compatible with Arduino IDE:

Here we help you decide which is best suited for your needs:
Best bang for your buck: CW01
The CW01 (based on the ESP8266) is the cheapest core, and also comes with WiFi and 4Mb of flash memory. Because of its price, it's used a lot both by tinkerers and by professional IoT developers. It is not complicated to use with Arduino, but the cores without WiFi are easier given they are directly supported by Arduino. When using the CW01, you will need to install the board file, which you can described in https://wiki.xinabox.cc/CW01. Our initial "Getting Started for Arduino IDE" blogs all feature this core, so there is plenty of help and sample code to get you started.
Most advanced: CW02
This CW02 core (based on the ESP32) also comes with WiFi and 4Mb flash memory, but as a much newer core, it supports Enterprise WPA security for WiFi connection typically used in large business or educational institutions. It also supports internal authentication for more secure communication and it has Bluetooth capabilities. Being a newer core there is slightly less material available generally, compared to the CW01 - for instance its Bluetooth capability has relatively limited documentation available.
Most recognisable: CC01
The CC01 core (based on the ATmega328P) is the exact same MCU as in the classic Arduino Uno Rev3. It also runs 16 MHz, but has a RGB LED unlike the Arduino Uno, which only has one LED. If your goal is to get quickly into Arduino programming, but easily adding other hardware without the need to build a lab, then this core is for you. Most examples on the internet for Arduino are built around the Arduino Uno. While the traditional Uno runs 5v, this core (and XinaBox generally) runs 3.3v, and therefore easily supports many sensors running 3.3v. We deliver this core already flashed with the standard Arduino boot loader, and ready to be used. 
Most future proof: CC03/CS11
The CC03 (With RGB LED) or the CS11 (With SD Card adapter) are both based on the ATSAMD21G18. This is an ARM Cortex M0+core, and is therefore supported in many environments specifically focused on Cortex-M0s. These cores comes with .UF2 ready boot loader, allowing you to use them directly in Arduino. However, you can also export your .bin files, convert them to .uf2 files and then drag 'n drop them to the cores, which will act as memory sticks when you double click on the reset button. This allows for easy programming of multiple cores, and is also supported in those environment based on the drag 'n drop feature such as Microsoft's Makecode.
Long range radio (LoRa) range: CR0x
These LoRa radios are based on the Semtech SX127x LoRa ChipSet, and come with the CC01/Arduino Uno MCU (the ATmega328P) mounted. We provide this combination partly for easy use with popular libraries, such as those from RadioHead and IBM LMIC. The ATmega328P can also be programmed to act as an I2C slave, allowing you to make a radio client to other cores, or single board computers.
The CR01 (434 MHz) and the CR02 (868 MHz) both offer license free LoRa connectivity in Europe and Africa, and the CR03 (915 MHz) license free operation in the Americas.
We also provide a LoRa xChip range without the ATmega328P, which has a SPI to I2C convertor instead. While the RL0x range doesn't require separate programming, the libraries can be more tricky to find and work with.

 

3. Getting Started Tutorials for Arduino IDE

 

4. Sample Code and Projects