XIAO RA4M1 with Arduino: Quick Start Guide

XIAO RA4M1 is a compact, high-performance development board that integrates the Renesas RA4M1 microcontroller, powered by a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 CPU running at up to 48 MHz. With a rich peripheral set and ultra-low power consumption, the XIAO RA4M1 is ideal for portable and embedded applications.

Key hardware features include:

• 256KB Flash memory
• 32KB SRAM
• 8KB EEPROM
• 14-bit ADC, 12-bit DAC
• USB 2.0 full-speed interface
• CAN BUS support
• Onboard charging circuitry
• Reset and BOOT buttons
• Three onboard LEDs
• Power consumption as low as 45μA in low-power mode

Sharing the same microcontroller as the Arduino Uno R4, the XIAO RA4M1 is natively compatible with the Arduino IDE, making it an accessible platform for developers, hobbyists, and engineers alike. Watch my video and explore the steps below to learn how to get started.

Installing and Configuring the Arduino IDE for XIAO RA4M1

The recommended development environment is the Arduino IDE, which provides a streamlined process for writing, compiling, and uploading code to the board.

Step 1: Install Arduino IDE

• Download the latest stable version of the Arduino IDE for your operating system from the official Arduino website.
• Complete the installation and launch the application.

Step 2: Add the RA4M1 Board Package

• Go to File > Preferences.
• In the "Additional Boards Manager URLs" field, add the following URL:
• https://files.seeedstudio.com/arduino/package_renesas_1.2.0_index.json
• Navigate to Tools > Board > Boards Manager.
• Search for RA4M1, locate the Seeed Renesas Board package, and install the latest version.

Step 3: Select Your Board and Port

• Open the board selector from the top toolbar or Tools > Board.
• Search for and select XIAO_RA4M1.
• Then choose the appropriate serial port corresponding to your connected device.

Special Configuration for Linux Users

Linux systems may require a custom udev rule to access the XIAO RA4M1 without root privileges.

Fixing udev Rule on Ubuntu:

• Open a terminal and create file / etc / udev/ rules.d / 60-xiao-ra4m1.rules using sudo.
• Add the following line to the file:

SUBSYSTEMS=="usb", ATTRS{idVendor}=="2886", MODE:="0666"

• Reload the udev rules:
• sudo udevadm trigger
• sudo udevadm control --reload-rules

This step ensures the system properly recognizes the XIAO RA4M1 and allows normal user access to the USB port.

Uploading Your First Sketch: Blink Example

To verify functionality, upload a basic example using Arduino?s built-in Blink sketch.

Steps:

• Launch the Arduino IDE.
• Go to File > Examples > 01.Basics > Blink.
• Confirm XIAO_RA4M1 is selected as the board and the correct port is chosen.
• Click Upload.
• Once uploaded, you should observe the orange LED on the XIAO RA4M1 blinking, indicating successful operation.

BootLoader Mode Recovery

If the board becomes unresponsive or fails to upload sketches, the following BootLoader recovery process can restore functionality:

Symptoms:

• The board is connected, but no port is detected.
• A port appears, but uploads consistently fail.

Enter Bootloader Mode:

• Press and hold the BOOT button on the board.
• While holding, connect the XIAO RA4M1 to the PC via a USB data cable.
• Release the BOOT button once connected.
• The board should now enter Bootloader mode, making it accessible for firmware re-upload.

Conclusion

XIAO RA4M1 combines performance, efficiency, and extensive compatibility in a tiny footprint. With its ARM Cortex-M4 core, robust peripheral support, and seamless Arduino IDE integration, it provides a powerful and flexible platform for embedded system development. By following the setup guide above, developers can quickly begin prototyping and deploying applications ranging from IoT devices to real-time control systems.