Arduino Nano R4 Launches with RA4M1 MCU and Dual I2C Ports

Arduino has unveiled the Nano R4, a compact development board that’s based on the Renesas RA4M1 microcontroller (Arm® Cortex®-M4). It’s built to fit the needs of space-constrained embedded systems and offers 256 kB Flash, 32 kB SRAM, and 8 kB EEPROM, running at 48 MHz. 

Retaining full compatibility with Arduino’s toolchain, it enables integration into custom hardware with castellated pins and a slim-profile single-sided layout. To deal with power interruptions, the board has a dedicated VRTC pin to keep the real-time clock (RTC) running. It offers dual I2C ports via a Qwiic connector and A4/A5 header pins. This enables the flexible integration of sensors and peripherals. 

A programmable RGB LED offers real-time visual cues for developers. With USB-C power, 5V logic-level GPIOs, and peripheral-rich connectivity, the Nano R4 simplifies prototyping for low-power systems, smart IoT nodes, and embedded automation. It is available in two variants: pre-soldered headers (ABX00143) at $13.30 and the ones without headers (ABX00142) for $12.10.

Key Features of Arduino Nano R4

• Renesas RA4M1 MCU: Arm® Cortex®-M4, 48 MHz

• 256 kB Flash, 32 kB SRAM, 8 kB EEPROM

• Dual I2C ports: 5V (A4/A5) and 3.3V (Qwiic)

• Real-Time Clock (RTC) with backup battery pin

• USB-C powered with 5V logic compatibility

• Programmable RGB LED for debugging

• 21 digital I/Os, 8 analog inputs, DAC, CAN, UART, SPI

• Compact footprint with castellated edge or headered variant

• Breadboard-friendly and surface-mount capable designs

Applications of Arduino Nano R4

• Space-constrained embedded and IoT systems

• Smart sensor nodes and peripheral control hubs

• Industrial monitoring and automation

• Low-power data logging with real-time timestamping

• Prototyping platforms for modular electronics

• Educational tools for MCU development and debugging

• Direct integration into custom PCBs via castellated pins