Purpose: Used for prototyping, testing, and developing embedded applications with microcontrollers (MCUs) or Digital Signal Processors (DSPs).

Common Components:

• Core MCU/DSP (e.g., ARM Cortex-M, TI C2000, ESP32, STM32, dsPIC)
• Onboard Debugger/Programmer (e.g., JTAG, SWD, USB-to-UART)
• Power Supply Circuitry (5V/3.3V regulators)
• GPIO Headers for Expansion
• LEDs, Buttons, and Basic I/O Peripherals
• Communication Interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C, USB, Ethernet)
• Optional: Display, ADC, DAC, Motor Drivers

Popular Kits:

• STM32 Nucleo – STMicroelectronics ARM Cortex-M
• TI LaunchPad – MSP430, C2000, TMS320 DSP
• Arduino – Atmel AVR / ARM (user-friendly)
• ESP32 DevKit – WiFi/BLE enabled MCU
• Freescale/NXP Kinetis/Tower Systems

Use Cases: Embedded control, signal processing, IoT, motor control, audio processing.