ARM mbed NXP LPC11U24 Development Board

The mbed NXP LPC11U24 is an easy-to-use MCU development board designed for rapid prototyping. At its heart is a low-power 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 processor running at 48 MHz with 32 KB flash and 8 KB RAM, which makes it more capable than popular, similarly-priced 8-bit prototyping alternatives.

Not currently available

Our Code: SKU-003654

Supplier Link: [Pololu MPN:2154]


Description

Overview

The mbed NXP LPC11U24 development board from ARM enables quick and easy creation of low-cost prototypes. Based on the low-power NXP LPC11U24 Cortex-M0 processor, which runs at 48 MHz and offers 32 KB flash and 8 KB SRAM, the 32-bit mbed can outperform popular 8-bit prototyping platforms in the same price range, like the Arduino and Basic Stamp. The mbed NXP LPC11U24 offers a variety of peripherals that includes a USB device interface, analogue inputs serial (UART), SPI, and I2C. The mbed has a 40-pin DIP form factor with 0.1"-pitch male header pins already soldered in, so it can be used with standard solderless breadboards and perfboards. (Note that while standard DIP ICs have a row spacing of 0.6", the mbed rows have a spacing of 0.9".)

ARM mbed NXP LPC11U24 development board peripherals and pinout.

For applications requiring even more performance or additional peripheral interfaces, consider the mbed NXP LPC1768 as an alternative development board. Our comparison table can help you choose the right mbed for your application.

One of the strengths of this platform is the mbed Library, which provides an API-driven approach to coding that eliminates much of the low-level work normally associated with MCU code development. Code can be developed using meaningful peripheral abstractions and API calls that are intuitive and well tested, freeing you up to experiment without worrying about the implementation of the MCU core or its peripherals.

Another key feature of the mbed is its unique C++ compiler and IDE. These free tools are entirely web-based and run online, which means there is no software to download or install. Supported browsers include Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, or Chrome running on a Windows, Mac, or Linux PC. You can log in from anywhere and simply pick up where you left off, and this approach makes it very easy to share code with others. And, since you’re working with a web-based tool, you can be confident that it is already configured and will stay up-to-date. The compiler uses the ARM RealView compile engine, so it produces clean, efficient, optimised code that can be used free-of-charge, even in production. Existing ARM application code and middleware can be ported to the LPC11U24 microcontroller, and the mbed tools can be used alongside other professional production-level tools, such as Keil MDK.

mbed online C++ compiler (no installation necessary)

The mbed Library provides an easy-to-use API

No external programmer is required to program the mbed. When connected to your computer via the included USB cable, it shows up as a mass storage device. Simply save the compiled binary file to the board to program it.

Features

ARM mbed NXP LPC11U24 development board with included USB cable and documentation

ARM mbed NXP LPC11U24 development board, bottom view

  • Can be powered by USB, an external 4.5–9 V supply, or a 2.4–3.3 V battery
  • Compact module: 54 mm × 26 mm
  • Convenient form-factor: 40-pin DIP (0.9" row spacing), 0.1" pitch
  • Drag-and-drop programming, with the board represented as a USB drive
  • Low-power Cortex-M0 hardware
    • 48 MHz ARM with 8 KB of SRAM, 32 KB of Flash
    • USB Device, SPI, I2C, UART
    • GPIO, PWM, ADC
  • Easy-to-use, free online tools
    • Web-based C/C++ programming environment
    • Uses the ARM RealView compile engine
    • API-driven development using libraries with intuitive interfaces
  • Comprehensive help and online community
  • On-board LEDs can be used for feedback, and a serial port over the USB connection allows for printf-style debugging

Getting started

Getting started is as simple as using a USB Flash drive. Simply connect the mbed NXP LPC11U24 board to a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer and it will automatically appear as a USB drive. Follow the link on the board to connect to the mbed website, where you can sign up and begin designing. There are no drivers to install or setup programs to run. Getting started is so easy that you can have a “Hello World!” program running in as little as five minutes.

The mbed development board includes the necessary USB A to mini-B cable, a printed quickstart guide, and two business cards that contain a life-size pinout diagram for the mbed.

This video shows just how easy it is to get started using the mbed:


Resources

File downloads

mbed NXP LPC11U24 schematic (57k pdf)
mbed NXP LPC11U24 schematic (for advanced users).
NXP LPC11U24 user manual (4MB pdf)
User’s guide for the Cortex-M0 MCU on the mbed NXP LPC11U24 (for advanced users).
NXP LPC11U24 datasheet (2MB pdf)
Datasheet for the Cortex-M0 MCU on the mbed NXP LPC11U24 (for advanced users).

Recommended links

mbed handbook
All of the resources you need to get started with the mbed, including hardware information, software libraries, and support from the mbed community.
The mbed application board and the mbed NXP LPC11U24 development board
This article investigates the compatibility of the mbed NXP LPC11U24 development board and the mbed application board.
mbed library for the LSM303DLH
This is a library for the ARM mbed development board that interfaces with the LSM303DLH 3D compass and accelerometer carrier and provides the tilt-compensated magnetic heading. It can be easily modified to work with the newer and very similar LSM303DLHC 3D compass and accelerometer carrier by swapping the magnetometer Y and Z registers. This library was not written and is not maintained by Pololu.
mbed library for QTR sensors
Matthew Phillipps ported our Arduino Library for the Pololu QTR Reflectance Sensors to the mbed platform. The Arduino library is designed to work with Pololu QTR reflectance sensors, so the mbed library should too, but Matthew points out he only tested it with the analogue sensors. This library was not written and is not maintained by Pololu.