Hi,
Q1 - What's the lowest current usage you can get to with an Arduino Pro http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardPro board? I'm assuming this would be best approached by putting the device into the deepest sleep mode (SLEEP_MODE_PWR_DOWN), in which case the question would be effectively what's the lowest current usage you can get to with an Arduino board in Power Down mode? The testing I have done with my Arduino Pro in each of the modes show that 1mA is about the lowest, but I'd like to get this down to say 0.4mA?.
Q2 - Would the Arduino Pro Mini (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardProMini) use less current than the Pro? If yes any ideas how much less (e.g. significant?)
Q3 - If it's not possible with one of the Arduino boards to get down to 0.4mA current usage in POWER DOWN mode, then would be the next easiest microprocessor chip/board/kit to go for that would be easiest for a hobbyist to go to? (one that had a couple of input & output pins, with a hardware interrupt, that is programmable somehow & could be powered by a few AA batteries)
My Measurements with the Arduino Pro
Testing notes:
- Board is an Arduino Pro
- Powered using 9V battery
- Measured using Ammeter in line with battery connection to the board
Background: Would like to get my remote battery-based board to last say 6 months without having to change batteries, which I calculate to require current drain of down to roughly 0.4mA I think (ref also - http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1277637970/2#2)
thanks