Pinouts

All electronic chips (integrated circuits) and components have pins (or leads) that connect the internal silicon circuit to other chips and components to form a circuits allowing electricity and data to flow in and out. They act as the interface for power supply, ground, input/output signals, and signals to handle reset functions or manage communication synchronization between components. Pins are usually made of copper or metal alloys plated with tin, gold, or nickel for conductivity.

The specific purpose of each pin is detailed in a diagram known as a pinout.

Chips and components are packaged in one of two forms: DIP (Dual In-line Package) and SMD (Surface Mount Device). DIP components have long pins inserted through holes on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), making them ideal for prototyping and high-durability. SMD components are mounted directly onto the surface of the PCB. They are smaller, faster to assemble, and allow for higher component density, making them ideal for compact electronics like smartphones.

These components need to be connected to a PCB using a process of soldering which creates robust and durable connections but is difficult for beginners or hobbyists.

A microcontroller development board extends the functions of a chip and various components to make them easier to use via other connection mechanisms such as breadboards and USB connectors for power and data.

Microcontroller development boards will have their own pinout. This pinout may be different from the mounted chip or component pinouts since the board will provide pins for the mounted components and some additional pins to simplify usage.