Arduino compatible boards are normally using Microphip Atmel microcontrollers, but as we’ve see with GD32 clone of STM32 MCU, some companies are making MCU clones too, usually with some improvements, and LogicGreen designed LGT8F328P micro-controller (mostly) compatible with Atmel ATMega328P micro-controller and adding features such as DAC output, PWM specific features, a computing accelerator (DSC), and others. The MCU also runs at double the clock speed (32 MHz).
I found out about the new MCU via Electrodragon selling EDMINI Arduino compatible development board based on LGT8F328P micro-controller for $1.40. The board looks to be a clone of Arduino Pro Mini.
Main specifications for EDMINI board:
- MCU – LogicGreen 8F328 (LGT8F328P) MCU – 99% compatible with ATMEGA328P MCU
- Expansion – Same pins as Arduino Pro Mini plus SWD/SWC pins, PE4/PE5 pins
- Misc – On-board power LED, D13 LED, reset button
- Power Supply – 5V RAW as VCC directly in; regulated 3.3V as VCC
The board does not include any external crystal, as the IC embeds a 16Mhz crystal internally. The board comes pre-loaded with a bootloder for the MCU, and you can programming it with Arduino IDE directly.
Electrodragon also provided more details in their Wiki, and some documents and tools (schematics, SDK, 8F328 datasheet (in Chinese), etc..) can be downloaded directly on LogicGreen website.
The MCU extra features compared to ATMega328P are shown in the comparison table below.
| Features | LGT8F328P | ATMega328P |
| DAC output | Yes | – |
| Internal reference resolution | ±0.5% | ±1.5% |
| PWM dead zone control | Yes | – |
| High current push – pull PWM | Yes | – |
| Computing Accelerator (DSC) | Yes | – |
| Stacking expansion system | Yes | – |
| Speed | 32M | 16M |
If you are interested in the chip itself, LogicGreen sells it on Taobao in three different packages:
- SSOP20 – 1.80 RMB ($0.29)
- LQFP32 – 2.80 RMB ($0.45)
- LQFP48 – 2.90 RMB ($0.46)
If you can read Chinese, you should also find more information on the product page.
Thanks to Zoobab for the tip
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Datasheet is only paper. You can write what do you want. The problem is, if the specification from datasheet is false. The good manufacturer will try to find the problem… these chinese “manufactures” just fu** you…
I don’t think so that this uC (GD32F103 die) will be e.g. faster during all conditions
https://zeptobars.com/en/read/GD32F103CBT6-mcm-serial-flash-Giga-Devices
Cute! If you’ve got time to waste on reset and power to waste during idle and sleep, it looks like GD32 wins.
“LogicGreen 8F328 MCU – 99% compatible with ATMEGA238P MCU”
It isn’t product for me. I don’t want to research where is 1 % incompatibility.
They could have invested their time in the development of a riscV uC instead, so I know its 0% compatible with AVR 😉
I also found Wemos has a similar board named Arduino XI the same chip with Arduino IDE support.
Typo there? ATMEGA328P, no?
Yes, correct. Fixed.
Careful of RAW input. I hooked up a 13.2 VDC wall brick to it and blew the on-board LM1117 which should be rated for up to 15V.
The Chinese are more interested in producing for their internal market. The proof: the datasheet is only in Chinese.
The internesting part will be when the Chinese begin to join cores from different companies in a single product. Eg. a LGT8F328P atmega clone with a CH330N usb to serial converter built-in would give the atmel original a run for its money.
https://www.avrfreaks.net/sites/default/files/forum_attachments/LGT8F88A%20V1_1.pdf