How to Boost Your Arduino's Processing Power With a Simple Component Swap

An Arduino is a versatile microcontroller that can be used for a wide range of projects, from simple LED circuits to complex robots. However, the modest 8-bit AVR microcontrollers used on most Arduino boards can sometimes struggle with more intensive tasks. If your project needs more processing power, here's how to upgrade your Arduino with a simple component swap.

Choosing a More Powerful Microcontroller

The first step is picking a beefier microcontroller to replace the AVR chip on your Arduino board. Here are some good options to consider:

ARM Cortex-M4F Microcontrollers

• STM32F4 - Very popular 32-bit ARM chip, runs at up to 168 MHz
• Teensy 3.2 - Arduino-compatible board based on ARM Cortex-M4F, 180 MHz

RISC-V Microcontrollers

• SiFive HiFive 1 - RISC-V based microcontroller, 320 MHz
• Runs custom Arduino-compatible firmware

Faster AVR Chips

• ATmega2560 - Faster 16 MHz AVR chip, pin-compatible with the Arduino Uno

For most projects, I'd recommend going with an ARM Cortex-M4F or RISC-V chip if possible. They offer a huge performance boost over the standard ATmega328P. The ATmega2560 is easier to swap in but provides a more modest speed increase.

Desoldering the Old Microcontroller

With your new chip selected, the next step is desoldering the existing microcontroller from your Arduino's circuit board. Here's how to do it:

• Use a solder sucker or solder wick to fully remove all old solder from the IC pins
• Apply flux to the joints to help the solder flow
• Use a soldering iron to systematically heat and remove each pin
• Remove the ATmega328P chip once all pins are desoldered
• Clean off any excess flux or residue

Take care not to overheat and damage the board during this process. Removing the old chip can take some patience.

Soldering in the New Microcontroller

Once the old chip is removed, it's time to solder in the new microcontroller. Follow these tips for smooth installation:

• Carefully align the new IC over the Arduino board's pin holes
• Pin 1 on the chip must align with Pin 1 on the board
• Solder one pin first to anchor the chip in place
• Solder the remaining pins systematically, avoiding bridges between pins
• Ensure all joints are clean and properly flowed
• Double check alignment and that all pins are soldered

Avoid applying too much heat during soldering which could damage the new chip or board. Take it slowly.

Uploading New Firmware

With the faster microcontroller installed, the last step is uploading new firmware tuned for that specific chip.

• For ARM or RISC-V cores, use the board maker's Arduino IDE board profile
• For ATmega2560, select the "Arduino/Genuino Mega 2560" board type
• You may need to install board-specific libraries or drivers
• Re-install any other libraries used in your project code
• Compile and upload the Arduino sketches as normal

That's it! With new firmware loaded, your Arduino can now take advantage of the boosted processing power. Enjoy building bigger and better projects!