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Even a complete novice traveler in the world of electronics will come across the name fairly quickly Atmel (AT). It is among them, or rather among the
AVR family
, there is today’s article hero,
ATTiny85
. The ATiny boards were originally developed in 1996 by Atmel, but it was acquired by Microchip Technology in 2016. Still, it is easy to encounter both names side by side. ATtiny is also known as TinyAVR and has fewer features, fewer I/O pins and less memory than other AVR series chips. Why their popularity? Certainly because of its flexibility and small size. With the invention of such small, flexible microcontrollers, electronic projects have become seamless and easier to develop.
What do 8-bit controllers do?
An 8-bit microcontroller is a type of microcontroller that is capable of processing 8 bits of data simultaneously – hence the name. It consists of a central processing unit (CPU) with an 8-bit architecture.
Being tiny, it is primarily used to perform certain functions within a larger system, for example, microcontrollers are used in air conditioners to automatically control and regulate temperature.
It is worth mentioning that depending on the width of the data, or more expertly: the size of the data bus, there are several different types of microcontrollers , such as 8-bit microcontroller, 16-bit microcontroller or 32-bit microcontroller.
And so 8-bit microcontrollers have low processing power, so they can only handle simple instructions, while 16-bit microcontrollers have more, so they can handle complex instructions, higher clock speeds for faster data processing or a larger range of values (up to 65535 as opposed to 8-bit 0-255). This does not mean, however, that they have receded into oblivion in favor of the popularity of their larger successors.
8-bit world
The 8-bit architecture, which is one in which data processing and storage is done on portions of 8-bit information, is experiencing a veritable renaissance. Trends in Internet culture are dynamic and often change depending on user preferences and technological advances, but recent years have seen some growth in interest in retro style, including 8-bit aesthetics.
For many people, especially those who grew up in the era of gier video from the 1980s. i 90., 8-bit graphics evoke feelings of nostalgia. This reminds them of the days when computer games were relatively simple in terms of graphics, but at the same time challenging and adventurous. The 8-bit aesthetic is rather simple and easy to reproduce, which makes it attractive to online creators of a wide variety, from memes to music to games, where the limitations of pixels and colors allow artists to focus on the content itself rather than advanced graphics.
However, it is worth knowing that 8-bit music, for example, is not necessarily created on 8-bit controllers. The term refers more to music created based on sounds specific to older computer systems and video game consoles, which were limited to generating sounds with 8-bit sampling depth, and as a result is more related to sound quality than to the controllers themselves. Although… not necessarily. Example? Title
ATTiny85
.
The microcontroller can be programmed go generate sounds consistent with 8-bit aesthetics, connected to various types of speakers or other audio devices to play sequences of sounds that resemble those heard in older computer games. You can find libraries and programming frameworks on the web that make it easy to generate sounds on microcontrollers, this contributes to their popularity among electronic music creators, and enthusiasts can experiment with sound and create unique compositions.
Features of ATTiny85
ATTiny85
is a small but powerful microcontroller from the
AVR family
. The AVR family itself refers to a family of microcontrollers based on RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture. A moment’s respite from terms: the name “AVR” is not an acronym, but originally meant “Alf and Vegard’s RISC processor,” referring to the two engineers who worked on the project at
Atmel
. AVRs are known for their low power consumption, making them ideal for battery-powered applications. However, let’s return to the ATTiny85 itself.
The ATTiny85 processor is based on RISC architecture and runs with a clock frequency of up to several megahertz. Memory is both flash memory for program storage and RAM for temporary data storage.
The ATTiny85 has several I/O pins that can be programmed as inputs or outputs, allowing interaction with external devices. It can communicate via various protocols, such as SPI, I2C or UART. It operates from 1.8V to 5.5V, making it flexible in terms of power source.
Various development environments, such as Arduino IDE or Atmel Studio, can be used to program the ATTiny85 microcontroller. The programs, sometimes called “sketches,” are written in C/C++ or using the Arduino language, which is easier for beginners.
How ATTiny85 works - examples
The compiled program is uploaded to the microcontroller’s flash memory using a
programmer
. In this role the mentioned
Arduino
. One simple project often implemented educationally is a simple flashing light. Once the LED is connected to a microcontroller pin, the ATTiny85 can be programmed to turn the LED on and off, providing a basis for more advanced projects.
In analog reading, the ATTiny85 can be used to read data from sensors, such as light or temperature sensors. The microcontroller can also communicate with other devices using the I2C protocol, allowing for elaborate projects with sensors or displays. On the web and in manufacturers’ materials, one can find many tutorials, projects and communities related to ATTiny85, which both makes learning and troubleshooting easier and proves that the microcontroller is still quite popular.
Thermometer with temperature sensor such as
DS18B20
? An electronic lock with a push button? A proximity detection system, or just a hand sensor, or a touch switch? How about something more specialized – A small electronic musical instrument with a piezo speaker and ambient light for rooms? The 8-bit ATTiny85 is waiting for more ideas from enthusiasts at
Botland
!
