# Arduino/Genuino MEGA 2560
**Wikidata**: [Q25859692](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25859692)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/arduino-genuino-mega-2560

## Summary
The Arduino/Genuino MEGA 2560 is a piece of open hardware and a microcontroller board manufactured by Arduino LLC. It serves as an instance of the Arduino platform and is powered by the ATmega2560 microcontroller running at a base clock frequency of 16 MHz. The board measures 101.52 mm in length and operates at a voltage of 5 volts.

## Key Facts
- **Manufacturer:** Arduino LLC
- **Microcontroller:** ATmega2560
- **Clock Frequency:** 16 MHz (base clock frequency)
- **Operating Voltage:** 5 Volts
- **Dimensions:** 101.52 mm (length) x 53.3 mm (width)
- **Mass:** 37 grams
- **License:** Creative Commons license
- **Classification:** Instance of Arduino and open hardware
- **Platform:** Arduino
- **Related Hardware:** Serves as the design basis for the Freaduino Mega 2560 v1.2

## FAQs
### Q: What microcontroller does the Arduino/Genuino MEGA 2560 use?
A: The board utilizes the ATmega2560 microcontroller as its central component.

### Q: What are the physical dimensions and weight of the board?
A: The Arduino/Genuino MEGA 2560 has a length of 101.52 mm, a width of 53.3 mm, and a mass of 37 grams.

### Q: Is the Arduino/Genuino MEGA 2560 considered open hardware?
A: Yes, the board is classified as open hardware released under a Creative Commons license, meaning its design documents are openly accessible.

## Why It Matters
The Arduino/Genuino MEGA 2560 represents a significant component in the open-source hardware ecosystem, maintained by the Italian company Arduino. As an instance of open hardware, its design documents are openly accessible and modifiable, allowing for widespread adoption, educational use, and hardware innovation. It plays a critical role as a standard for DIY electronics and prototyping.

Its importance is further highlighted by its role as the foundational design for derivative hardware, such as the Freaduino Mega 2560 v1.2. This specific variant incorporates the Mega 2560 design with Ramps 1.4 compatibility and added components like heatsinks for hot bed MOSFETs, demonstrating the MEGA 2560's versatility in demanding applications like 3D printing. Despite being a copyrighted product, its Creative Commons licensing facilitates this ecosystem of modification and improvement.

## Notable For
- **Open Accessibility:** Design documents are openly accessible and modifiable under a Creative Commons license.
- **Derivative Designs:** Acting as the base design for the Freaduino Mega 2560 v1.2, which integrates Ramps 1.4 functionality.
- **Specific Form Factor:** Maintaining a precise physical footprint of 101.52 mm by 53.3 mm with a mass of 37 grams.
- **Standardized Platform:** Serving as a core instance of the Arduino platform produced by Arduino LLC.

## Body
### Hardware Specifications
The Arduino/Genuino MEGA 2560 is built around the **ATmega2560** microcontroller. It operates at a voltage of **5 volts** and features a base clock frequency of **16 MHz**. The board is an instance of the Arduino platform and is classified as open hardware.

### Physical Characteristics
The physical dimensions of the board are strictly defined:
- **Length:** 101.52 millimetres
- **Width:** 53.3 millimetres
- **Mass:** 37 grams

### Licensing and Manufacturer
The board is manufactured by **Arduino LLC**, an Italian open-source hardware and software company. While the board has a copyright status of "copyrighted," it operates under a **Creative Commons license**. This classification as "open hardware" ensures that the design documents are accessible for modification by the public.

### Related Hardware
The design of the Arduino/Genuino MEGA 2560 has been adapted for specific use cases. Notably, the **Freaduino Mega 2560 v1.2** is based directly on the Arduino Mega 2560 design combined with Ramps 1.4. This derivative version includes specific modifications such as a heatsink on the MOSFET of the hot bed.