Arduino Mega SPI Pinout: A Guide for Connecting Your Shield

When using an Arduino Mega with a video display shield or any other SPI-based shield, it's essential to understand how to connect the pins properly. Unlike the Uno, which has its SPI port mapped on digital pins 11, 12, and 13, the Arduino Mega has its SPI port mapped on pins 50 to 53.

To make use of your video display shield or any other SPI-based shield with an Arduino Mega, you'll need to connect the SPI communication signals through jumper wires. This is because those pins are not accessible through the regular Uno shield. The process may seem a bit tricky due to the parallax effect caused by the RCA connector's location.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Make sure pins 11 to 13 on your Arduino Mega are set as inputs or tri-stated outputs. You can achieve this by adding a define in the header file for the shield or at the beginning of your sketch.

2. In the setup() function, add code to disable the pins that are used by Uno for SPI. This is necessary because the Mega's SPI port is mapped on different pins.

The specific connections required for an Arduino Mega and video display shield are as follows:

* MISO (Master In Slave Out): Mega pin 51 -> Uno shield pin 11 - blue wire

* MOSI (Master Out Slave In): Mega pin 50 -> Uno shield pin 12 - brown wire

* SCK (Serial Clock): Mega pin 52 -> Uno shield pin 13 - orange wire

Note that the slave select pin 53 does not need to be wired, as it is mapped as a normal GPIO in a normal Uno sketch. By following these steps and connections, you'll be able to successfully connect your Arduino Mega with your video display shield or any other SPI-based shield.

Remember to consult your specific shield's documentation for any additional setup requirements or recommendations. With the correct pinout and connections, you'll be well on your way to creating a functional and exciting project with your Arduino Mega!

Arduino mega spi pinout