After finding the amount of SRAM contained in the microcontroller of the Arduino Uno-style boards, Australian Arduno enthusiast Nick Gammon uses external SRAM ICs from Microchip (for example the 23K256) to increase the total SRAM available. But what is SRAM? This is the memory in the microcontroller that is used to store variable data - the more SRAM you have the (for example) the greater the amount of data your sketch can gather and analyse.
The SRAM ICs behave just as the SRAM in your Arduino, so the data is gone after the power is lost - however they're easy to add and quite inexpensive. Nick runs through the required hardware schematic and also some demonstration sketches to show how the extra space can be used. To find out more, visit Nick's huge website. And for more, we're on twitter and Google+, so follow us for news and product updates as well.
If you're making things that push an Arduino to the limit, or if your projects outgrow the normal Arduino-compatible boards, running out of program and flash memory space, or you're stacking on Ethernet and microSD shields, or all at once - it's time to upgrade to the Freetronics EtherMega:
Quite simple the EtherMega is the fully-loaded Arduino-compatible board on the market today. Apart from being completely Arduino Mega2560-compatible, it includes full Ethernet interface, a microSD card socket, full USB interface, optional Power-over-Ethernet support and still has a circuit prototyping area with extra I2C interface pins. So if your project is breaking the limits, upgrade to the EtherMega today.
