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There seem to be no (or very few) ARM MCU's that can be fitted directly in a breadboard (DIP packages).

What are the options? Is it possible to somehow use SMD packaged MCU's on a breadboard, or is the only option just buying a development board? Do you have any good recommendations on that front?

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  • \$\begingroup\$ there's the Teensy range. \$\endgroup\$
    – Kartman
    May 23, 2021 at 10:24
  • \$\begingroup\$ Some of the LPC 800 series of Cortex M0s from NXP are in DIP packages. \$\endgroup\$
    – Colin
    May 23, 2021 at 10:58
  • \$\begingroup\$ I'm using 8-bit atmegas right now, but the point is that through whole components seem to be on the way out \$\endgroup\$
    – Daniel
    May 23, 2021 at 12:56

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You can use adapter boards for SMD packages:

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  • \$\begingroup\$ This looks just like i probably need. Are the connections reliable? Is there anything i should watch out for if i get one of those? \$\endgroup\$
    – Daniel
    May 23, 2021 at 9:11
  • \$\begingroup\$ LQFP32 is easy to hand-solder. You should put bypass capacitors as close to VDD as possible (see the two SMD caps at corners). There also are SMD pads for capacitors or pull-down resistors on the bottom side of the board. \$\endgroup\$
    – Jiří Maier
    May 23, 2021 at 9:15
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    \$\begingroup\$ You also install zero-ohm resistors at the pin(s) that actually are ground. \$\endgroup\$
    – Dave Tweed
    May 23, 2021 at 10:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ Thanks for all the info. One other question -- are there any prototype boards (like a perfboard but for smd) or anything that I can prototype smd components on? That is, if I DON'T use an adapter as shown above, are are my options in prototyping surface mount device circuits? How is it normally done? And how is it done in a professional context? \$\endgroup\$
    – Daniel
    May 23, 2021 at 12:52
  • \$\begingroup\$ start with kicad and oshpark. very easy to use, good results. graduate to altium (is there a free/hobby altium? I dont know) and contract manufacturers that do the board and assembly and supply parts etc. I stopped using perfboards and other similar things a long time ago now. \$\endgroup\$
    – old_timer
    May 23, 2021 at 15:22

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