Moving from Mega to pro-mini.

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi,

Due to physical size constraints, I'm migrating a project from a Mega to a pro-mini.

On the mega version of the project I have a GPS connected to serial port 1, and I use serial port 0 to monitor what the project is doing during testing and development. (when it's live, I don't need two ports)

How can I develop this project on a pro-mini? The GPS is a integral part of the project so can't be removed, but at the same time I really need to be able to use port 0 to monitor what's going on.

I can just about squeeze the project into the 32k available on the pro-mini, but I don't have enough memory to start using a software port.

Thanks

2

There are small PCB versions of the Mega. I wonder if you have optimized your memory usage?

3

You can use Atmega 1284

ATMega1284P-AU with 32 IO, Dual Hardware UART, 128K FLASH, 16K SRAM.

1002×582 70.8 KB

http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/

4

There are small PCB versions of the Mega.

I would prefer to use genuine Arduino boards if possible.

I was wondering if it was possible to use one port for multiple purposes. The GPS only needs to talk TO the arduino board (i.e. it only needs the arduinos Rx pin) and the serial monitor only needs to monitor what's coming FROM the arduino (i.e. it only needs the Tx pin) but I guess this is an oversimplification?