In this step, you will install the Intel® Edison compute module to the Arduino* expansion board, plus connect micro USB cables and a DC power supply.
Inside the Intel® Edison Kit for Arduino* Box
Intel® Edison compute module
Refer to the Product Brief for the specs of the Intel® Edison compute module.
Arduino* expansion board
Hardware pin-compatible with Arduino* Uno R3 shields. Refer to the Intel® Edison Kit for Arduino* Hardware Guide for specs.
- Small hex nuts (x 2) - For securing the Intel® Edison compute module to the expansion board.
- Screws (x 4) & plastic spacers (x 4) - To keep the expansion board stable and lifted off of surfaces that may cause a short circuit.
Micro-B USB to Standard-B USB cables (x 2)
These common micro USB cables are used for data transfer and charging mobile phones and other consumer electronics. You will need two micro USB cables during initial development setup.
- 7-15 V DC
- At least 1500mA
- Center/inner pin is positive pole
Do you need an external power supply?
An external power supply is the most stable and reliable way of powering the Intel® Edison board. We suggest an EMSA120150 or similar supply, such as those available from digikey.com.
However, you can power your board using the device mode USB cable if you do not have an external power supply. Refer to the Connect the Intel® Edison Board to Your Computer for Development section later on this page for more details.
Assembling the Intel® Edison Kit for Arduino* Install the Intel® Edison Compute ModuleThe Intel® Edison compute module is meant to be used with breakout boards or custom printed circuit boards. Secure the compute module to the Arduino* expansion board before you use it.
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Locate the Intel® Edison compute module, Arduino* expansion board, and two metal hex nuts.
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Place the Intel® Edison compute module within the white outline on the Arduino* expansion board, lining up the holes on the Intel® Edison compute module with the screws on the expansion board.
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Press down on the Intel® Edison compute module just below the words “What will you make?” until you feel a snap.
Make sure the compute module is seated properly.
If you do not feel a snap, a loosely connected Intel® Edison compute module will produce unexpected behaviors.
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Use the two hex nuts to secure the module to the expansion board. Hand tighten the hex nuts onto the two screws that protrude through the board.
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Your Arduino* expansion board should look like the photo below when the Intel® Edison compute module is installed.
To add stability to the expansion board and to help avoid accidental short circuits, attach the four plastic spacers supplied in your Intel® Edison Kit for Arduino* box to act as legs for the expansion board.
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Locate the four metal screws and four plastic spacers in the Intel® Edison Kit for Arduino* box.
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In one of the four holes in the corner of the Arduino* expansion board, insert a screw through the top.
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Twist and tighten one of the white plastic spacers onto the screw. The spacer should be on the bottom of the expansion board to act as legs.
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Repeat for the remaining three screws and spacers.
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Your Arduino* expansion board should look like the photo below when the plastic spacer legs are attached.
While plugging in every cable is not required all the time, a cable setup for initial development purposes with the Arduino* expansion board would look like the photo below:
USB device mode set (details)
The microswitch is toggled down towards the two micro USB ports.
Device mode cable connected (details)
A micro USB cable is plugged into the top micro USB port, and the other end plugged into your computer. This port is used for: 5V power, programming the Intel® Edison board using the Arduino* IDE, reading/writing to the onboard flash memory from your computer like a disk drive, and/or using Ethernet over USB.
UART/serial cable connected (details)
A micro USB cable is plugged into the bottom micro USB port, and the other end plugged into your computer. This port is used for shell access via serial communication.
External power supply connected (details)
A 7-15 volt DC power supply is plugged into the power barrel connector for stable and reliable power. External power is not always required but highly recommended.
Can I use only USB for power?
In many cases, you can use only the device mode cable to power your board.
However, if you are experiencing unexpected behavior, your computer's USB port may not be reliably supplying power to the board. Things you can try:
- If you are connecting the board to a laptop, plug in your laptop’s AC adapter.
- Use a powered USB hub.
Would you like to know more about the USB modes and ports on your breakout board?
Learn more in the Connecting Cables to the Arduino* Expansion Board appendix article.
A green LED (labeled DS1 on the Arduino* expansion board) should light up and stay lit when the device mode and/or DC power supply cables are connected.
Troubleshooting
The green LED does not light up.
Check your power supply and/or device mode cable connections.
The green LED is turning on and off.
If you are using only the device mode micro USB cable for power, your computer's USB port is not reliably supplying power to the board. Use an external DC power supply or a powered USB hub. If you are connecting the board to a laptop, plug in your laptop’s AC adapter.
One sign that your board is fully initialized is when your computer mounts a new drive named "Edison", much like inserting a SD card into your computer.